Captain Karl Ullrich Union City (TN) Fire Department sent in these photos of an interesting find in his area. From the outside nothing on this building looks out of the ordinary. Some people may recognize the unique parapet shape and that it may be an indication of a bowstring truss roof. Click here to see the supplemental page with a complete description of what was found inside.
11 thoughts on “Opposing Forces”
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Notice how the ground floor windows aren’t as big (high) as they used to be? This is indicates that the ground floor ceiling isn’t as high as it used to be (to make room for the new second level).
Were permits issued for this interior work?
Thanx
wow! I would get a nice big neon pink foot by foot sign and post it on the corner of each side of the building to let the troops know to stay away from this building if it has smoke in it! Better yet get a P.E. to come and look at it and really see if those architects plans had a stamp on them.
“Some people may recognize the unique parapet shape and that it may be an indication of a bowstring truss roof.”
This is a statement that we can all forget. Nothing derogatory to who said it. It is just that today’s builders take some of this and some of that and combine them. I have seen the same building front with light weight trusses behind them as well.
Rather than simply make first responder runs EMS use them them to learn what is in your world.
So, we should just completely disregard the statement because it MAY not be the case? I have 2 buildings in my district where it IS the case.
I would consider that typer of parapet wall to hide a bowstring truss roof every time i see it. until i am proven otherwise.
I agree that this type of parapet wall is hidding something, which is usually a bowstring roof. But is may also hide a huge drop off preventing FFs from stepping off the ladder or tower and getting to the roof without a ladder.
EMS runs are an excellent time to learn your building layouts. In multiple dwellings and commercial/industrial builsings you can also learn the “players” – who that lives or works there really knows the day-in/day-out workings or features.
Nice sprinkler system they have there.
It looks like there is one up at roof level. Good luck working the building when all those “improvements” come down.
As far as I know, permits were issued for the interior renovations, but code enforcement was somewhat suspect in the jurisdiction until a couple of years ago.
I’d be willing to bet that no architect or engineer signed off on the plans.
One of the things that the exterior photo doesn’t convey well is the age of the structure. Given the parapet design AND the age of the building, a bowstring is likely. I agree that all bets are off on new work.
No I didn’t quite mean just forget the statement. I must not have worded it right. Let’s try this, “The traditional LOOK of a building which tips us off to it’s construction, is no longer being followed by builders.”
I just want to make a quick correction on nomenclature. This isn’t a true bowstring truss as indicated by the presence of the interior webbing on the truss. A true bowstring would just have a top and bottom chord… nothing in the middle. I would call this a metal rib arch truss. It doesn’t take away from the fact that this building is still dangerous though.
Another great find.