Under a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant, UL, in collaboration with the Chicago Fire Department, Michigan State University, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, completed a fire research study to understand firefighters hazards posed by the use of lightweight construction of wood trusses and engineered lumber in roof and floor designs. This material is increasingly replacing conventional solid joist construction in residential structures; this project investigated and compared the fire performance of each. The tests, in combination with fire performance data on lumber, enable fire professionals to better interpret hazards and assess safety of building occupants and firefighters.

Additional Project Reports

• Structural Stability Report on Additional Fire Tests
• Thermal and Mechanical Finite Element Modeling of Wood - Floor Assemblies Subjected to Furnace Exposure

Other Publications

• Battling the Hidden Danger – FireRescue Magazine: February 2010 – pp 72
• Structural Collapse: The Hidden Dangers of Residential Fires – Fire Engineering University Continuing Education Course
• Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber in Fire Conditions – The Fire & Security Authority: 2009 Issue 3 – pp 1
• Working to Live: Making Fire Fighting Safer – International Fire Fighter: January/February 2009 – pp 20