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Fire investigations by the DBR Fire Research Section, 1963

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P R E F A C E

T h e F i r e R e s e a r c h Section of the Division of Building R e s e a r c h h a s studied f i r e s in the field s i n c e 1950. T h i s r e p o r t , the sixth in this s e r i e s , p r e s e n t s s u m m a r i e s of the f i r e s that have been attended during 1963. T h e e x p e r i e n c e gained in t h i s way indicates c e r t a i n deficiencies in f i r e protection f e a t u r e s in construction, and i s useful in a s s e s s i n g the need for t h e s e f e a t u r e s .

In a l l of this work the Section i s grateful for the c o - operation r e c e i v e d f r o m f i r e officials and, in p a r t i c u l a r , f r o m the m e m b e r s of the Ottawa F i r e Department.

Mr.

G.

W . S h o r t e r , one of the a u t h o r s of t h i s r e p o r t

is a mechanical e n g i n e e r - a n d Head of the F i r e R e s e a r c h Section. Mr. J.

J.

S h a v e r , whose m a i n duties a r e in connection with the National F i r e Codes, i s a Technical Officer in that Section.

Ottawa April 1965

N.

B.

Hutcheon A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r

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FLRE INVESTIGATIONS B Y THE DBR FIRE RESEARCH SECTION

G. W. S h o r t e r and J. J. Shaver

T h i s r e p o r t c o v e r s f i r e investigations c a r r i e d out by m e m b e r s of the F i r e Section during 1963. All investigations w e r e c a r r i e d out in the Ottawa a r e a w h e r e , in many c a s e s , helpful a s s i s t a n c e was given by m e m b e r s of the Ottawa F i r e Department. As in previous r e p o r t s , s u m m a r i e s of the f i r e s investigated a r e p r e s e n t e d followed by photographs showing the pertinent f a c t o r s r e p o r t e d upon. In each s u m m a r y the f i r e i s described under the following headings: ( a ) G e n e r a l , (b) Construction, ( c ) S e p a - r a t i o n s , (d) E x i t s , ( e ) Spread of F i r e and ( f ) R e m a r k s .

A detailed synopsis i s used a s a lead-in t o each s u m m a r y to i n t r o - duce the type of occupancy, chronology, weather and an e s t i m a t e of the amount of the 10s s i n c u r r e d .

Data for a l l the f i r e s r e p o r t e d upon since 1950 have been used for the brief analysis appearing in Appendix A.

Graphs ( F i g u r e s A-1, A - 2 and A-3) show the frequency d i s - tribution of f i r e s by (a) month, (b) day of week and ( c ) hour of day, respectively. In addition, other miscellaneous data on the f i r e s by occupancy a r e p r e s e n t e d in T a b l e A-1. It should be emphasized that t h i s a n a l y s i s i l l u s t r a t e s the distribution of only those f i r e s which have been investigated by the F i r e Section and does not n e c e s s a r i l y apply to f i r e s in general.

T h e building r e f e r r e d to in the synopsis for each s u m m a r y i s always that in which the f i r e originated. T h e l o s s e s r e p o r t e d r e f e r not only t o that building but a l s o to any oiher s involved in the f i r e . T h e f i g u r e s given a r e only approximate values and m a y v a r y considerably f r o m the actual l o s s e s s u s

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tained. They a r e included, however, t o give some e s t i m a t e of the s e v e r i t y of the f i r e .

Included in t h i s r e p o r t a r e two f i r e studies by m e m - b e r s of the F i r e R e s e a r c h Section that i l l u s t r a t e f i r e p r o b l e m s

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o c c u r r i n g in buildings under c o n s t r u c t i o n . Buildings under con

-

s t r u c t i o n a r e m o s t vulnerable t o the e f f e c t s of a f i r e , and t h e two incidents r e p o r t e d upon s e r v e t o r e m i n d one of t h e r a p i d involve

-

ment that can t a k e p l a c e and the difficulty f i r e f i g h t e r s encounter in t r y i n g to extinguish such f i r e s .

Construction w e a k n e s s e s such a s the o m i s s i o n of p r o p e r firestopping f e a t u r e s continue t o c o n t r i b u t e t o l a r g e r l o s s e s during f i r e s . Many of the r e s i d e n t i a l o c c u p a n c i e s d e s c r i b e d in t h i s r e p o r t could have been p r o t e c t e d f r o m the s p r e a d of f i r e had the f i r e f i g h t e r s r e c e i v e d a s s i s t a n c e f r o m built -in b a r r i e r s that c a n effectively p r e v e n t the r a p i d involve

-

ment of a s t r u c t u r e .

Row housing o r i g i n a l l y c o n s t r u c t e d a s a n u m b e r of single -family dwelling units h a s b e c o m e t e n e m e n t a c commodation for l a r g e n u m b e r s of p e r s o n s of low income throughout nlany municipalities. T h e p r o b a b i l i t y t h a t t h e s e s t r u c t u r e s w i l l b e c o m e involved in f i r e i s heightened c o n s i d e r a b l y with the i n c r e a s e in occupant load which, in t u r n , p r e s e n t s an i n c r e a s e d life h a z a r d . Various s t a n d a r d s of housekeeping and m a i n t e n a n c e e x i s t in t h e s e dwellings. N u m e r o u s f i r e s occur in t h e s e

t e n e m e n t occupancies and s o m e p r o d u c e f a t a l i t i e s . Municipal

a u t h o r i t i e s who a r e c o n c e r n e d about providing b e t t e r accommodation for p e r s o n s of low income should e n s u r e that the p r o b l e m of f i r e prevention and f i r e p r o t e c t i o n r e c e i v e s the c o n s i d e r a t i o n that i t

d e s e r v e s in new low - r e n t p r o j e c t s being built.

Other DBR I n t e r n a l R e p o r t s in t h i s s e r i e s on f i r e investigations a r e : 1950-1954, NO. 78; 1955, No. 101; 1956, No. 140; 1957-1958, NO. 181; 1959-1962, NO. 293.

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D13R

FIRE

STUDY NO. 1 /63 D a t e of f i r e : 4 J a n . 1 9 6 3 O c c u p a n c y : M e r c a n t i l e , b u s i n e s s D a y of w e e k : F r i d a y and p e r s o n a l s e r v i c e s T i m e of f i r e : 7. 00 a . m . No. of s t o r e y s : 1 W e a t h e r : 2 1 ° F

-

R . H .

97%

L o c a t i o n : E a s t v i e w , Ont. NE wind 4 m p h , P o p u l a t i o n : 2 5 , 0 0 0 l i g h t snow. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $ 2 8 0 , 0 0 0 . G e n e r a l : T h i s f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n a n end unit of a s i n g l e - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g a n d e v e n t u a l l y involved a l l of t h e 7 s e p a r a t e o c c u p a n c i e s l o c a t e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g ( F i g u r e 1 ) . T h e m u n i c i p a l i t y i n w h i c h t h i s f i r e o c c u r r e d p r o - v i d e s m o s t of i t s own s e r v i c e s i n c l u d i n g a f i r e d e p a r t m e n t , e v e n though it i s l o c a t e d e n t i r e l y w i t h i n t h e c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s of t h e C i t y of O t t a w a . Although t h e c a u s e of t h e f i r e w a s n o t d e f i n i t e l y e s t a b l i s h e d , i t w a s a s c e r t a i n e d t h a t t h e f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e c e l l a r of t h e end unit w h i c h c o n - t a i n e d t h e c e n t r a l h e a t i n g unit f o r t h e e n i i r e building. C o n s t r u c t i o n : T h i s s i n g l e - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g w a s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 100 f t i n width b y 1 2 5 ft i n l e n g t h . T h e b u i l d i n g w a s c o n s t r u c t e d with a h e a v y s t e e l f r a m e and c o n c r e t e m a s o n r y u n i t s l a i d up a s t h e e x t e r i o r a n d i n t e r i o r w a l l s of t h e s t r u c t u r e . T h e f r o n t w a l l of t h e b u i l d i n g w a s d e s i g n e d t o p r o v i d e a l a r g e a r e a of g l a s s f r o n t a g e a n d s h o w - w i n d o w s with t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e c l a d d i n g b e i n g a t h i n v e n e e r of d e c o r a t i v e m a s o n r y . I n t e r i o r s u r f a c e s of t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s a n d p a r t i t i o n w a l l s w e r e f u r r e d w i t h 2

-

b y 4-in. l u m b e r with 3 -in. m i n e r a l i n s u l a t i o n b a t t s b e t w e e n t h e f u r r i n g s t r i p s . T h e i n t e r i o r f i n i s h w a s p l a s t e r on p l a s t e r - l a t h o r m e t a l l a t h . T h e w o o d - p l a n k r o o f - d e c k w a s l a i d on wooden j o i s t s w h i c h w e r e s u p p o r t e d b y he l a r g e s t e e l b e a m s of t h e b u i l d i n g f r a m e . B u i l t - u p r o o f i n g of f e l t , t a r a n d g r a v e l w a s l a i d o v e r t h e wooden p l a n k s . T h e c e i l i n g of p l a s t e r on p l a s t e r - l a t h w a s s u p p o r t e d b y wooden j o i s t s l a i d a c r o s s t h e i n t e r i o r p a r t i t i o n s w h i c h e x t e n d e d up t o t h e b o t t o m of t h e l a r g e s t e e l b e a m s . T h e s p a c e b e t w e e n c e i l i n g j o i s t s w a s f i l l e d with e x p a n d e d v e r m i c u l i t e . F l o o r s w e r e of c o m p o s i t i o n t i l e l a i d on a c o n - c r e t e s l a b . S e p a r a t i o n s : T h e f r o n t of the b u i l d i n g f a c e d a m a i n t h o r o u g h f a r e and t h e r e a r f a c e d a l a r g e open a r e a t h a t p r o v i d e d a s e r v i c e w a y a n d p a r k i n g f o r a l a r g e a p a r t m e n t b l o c k . A 15-ft l a n e w a y p r o v i d e d a s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n a t t h e w e s t end of t h e building. A 2-ft s e p a r a t i o n e x i s t e d b e t w e e n t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g 2 - s t o r e y w o o d - f r a m e b u i l d i n g a t t h e e a s t end. E x i t s : F r o n t and r e a r d o o r s p r o v i d e d e g r e s s f r o m e a c h o c c u p a n c y of t h e s t r u c t u r e .

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S p r e a d of F i r e : F l a m e s s p r e a d r a p i d l y upward at the r e a r of the west end of the building f r o m the c e l l a r located below a photographic

supplies s t o r e . T h e f i r e p e n e t r a t e d the undivided roof s p a c e provided by the depth of the s t e e l b e a m s s e p a r a t i n g ceiling and roof construction and s p r e a d rapidly throughout the whole roof s t r u c t u r e . The

destruction of the ceiling support over e a c h occupancy left t h e i r con- t e n t s exposed t o the f i r e ( F i g u r e 2). E f f o r t s of the f i r e f i g h t e r s p r e - vented f u r t h e r s p r e a d t o the building at the e a s t end of the s t r u c t u r e involved.

R-emarks: T h e f a i l u r e to extend a continuous f i r e s e p a r a t i o n through the e x t e r i o r roof s u r f a c e p e r m i t t e d chis f i r e to s p r e a d r a p i d l y with the r e s u l t that m a j o r damage w a s c a u s e d t o the s t r u c t u r e .

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 2/63

Date of f i r e : 15 Feb. 1963 Occupancy: A s s e m b l y

Day of week: F r i d a y No. of s t o r e y s : 1 p l u s 3 plus b a s e m e n t T i m e of f i r e : 12. 30 p. m. under c o n s t r u c t i o n Weather : 2 ° F

- R.H.

60% Location: Ottawa

WNW wind 15 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s :

$50,

000.

G e n e r a l : The combustible components of a n insulation c o v e r i n g being u s e d t o i n s u l a t e a l a r g e complex duct s y s t e m w e r e ignited in an a r e a where w e l d e r s w e r e at work. The a r e a initially involved w a s on t h e second floor of a 3 - s t o r e y addition to a l i b r a r y building. F i r e f i g h t e r s had difficulty in locating the f i r e due t o the l a r g e volume of black s m o k e c a u s e d by burning bitumen i m p r e g n a t e d in the insulation m a t e r i a l

( F i g u r e 3 ) . The f i r & in the n a r r o w p a s s a g e s between d u c t s w a s extinguished by using a g r e a t d e a l of w a t e r f r o m h o s e l i n e s , s o m e of which leaked through into the l i b r a r y p r e m i s e s below.

Construction: The additional s t o r e y s under construction w e r e of s t e e l f r a m e with c o n c r e t e s l a b f l o o r s . S e r v i c e s h a f t s and s t a i r w a y s w e r e of r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e and e x t e r i o r w a l l s w e r e being c o n s t r u c t e d of hollow t i l e blocks.

At the t i m e of the f i r e , ducts w e r e being i n s t a l l e d and c o v e r e d with g l a s s -fibre batt insulation. T h e b a t t s w e r e 1 in. thick and had a p a p e r backing on one s i d e , t h e other s i d e being exposed f i b r e . T h e p a p e r backing w a s s a t u r a t e d with bitumen which w a s

a b s o r b e d into the f i b r e batt. A f i n a l l a y e r of c a r d b o a r d completed the covering, the whole a s s e m b l y being held on t h e duct by s p i n e s that p e n e t r a t e d the components and r e c e i v e d a locking w a s h e r t o hold in t h e covering.

S e p a r a t i o n s : T h e r e w e r e s u b s t a n t i a l s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n s on a l l four s i d e s . T h e roof (now the second floor) of the single - s t o r e y l i b r a r y divided the old and the new construction although i t was p i e r c e d in s e v e r a l p l a c e s t o p e r m i t the extension of s e r v i c e s . Separations between the t h r e e f l o o r s of new c o n s t r u c t i o n w e r e not complete and duct work p e n e t r a t e d through t o the roof.

E x i t s : Ample e x i t s e x i s t e d in the o r i g i n a l s t r u c t u r e containing the l i b r a r y , but the new construction had only one m e a n s of e g r e s s t o ground l e v e l a t the t i m e of the f i r e . A wooden s t a i r w a y ( F i g u r e

5 )

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t r a c t o r s t o r e a c h t h e second floor f r o m ground level. F l o o r s

under corlstructioti w e r e r e a c h e d by l a d d e r s extending through floor oper~ings.

S p r e a d of F i r e : T h e f i r e s p r e a d f r o m i t s point of origin in a s e r

-

vice shaft on the south s i d e of the building in v e r t i c a l and h o r i z o n t a l d i r e c t i o n s following t h e r u n s of the duct work in the c e n t r a l portion

oi the s t r u c t u r e ( F i g u r e 4). T h e s p r e a d w a s r a p i d o v e r t h e insulated p o r t i o n s of t h e ducts and involved a l l the duct w o r k on t h r e e f l o o r s under construction. T h e f i r e w a s confined t o the duct work and a few wooden f r a m i n g m e m b e r s in the vicinity.

R e m a r k s : F l a m e - s p r e a d t e s t s in the l a b o r a t o r y on the bitumen-

-

coated p a p e r indicated a v e r y high f l a m e - s p r e a d r a t i n g for t h e p a p e r -backed, bitumen-coated side of t h e insulation. A v e r y heavy black smoke was produced a s the m a t e r i a l burned. After t h e p a p e r was consumed the bitumen continued t o b u r n and produce smoke. No f l a m e s p r e a d was o b s e r v e d when the u n s a t u r a t e d s i d e of the g l a s s - f i b r e m a t w a s exposed t o t e s t .

F i r e s s u c h a s t h i s one a r e becoming m o r e common i n the s e r v i c e shafts of buildings w h e r e c a r e l e s s n e s s o r o p e r a t i n g f a i l u r e s ignite combustible insulation c r e a t i n g hot smoky f i r e s that s p r e a d r a p i d l y in s e r v i c e a r e a s and s h a f t s u n l e s s controlled by f i r e - r e s i s t a n t cut -offs and s p r i n k l e r i n s t a l l a t i o n s .

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 3/63

Date of f i r e : 4 M a r c h 1963 Occupancy: R e s i d e n t i a l

Day of week: Monday (row housing)

T i m e of f i r e : 2. 28 a. m. NO. of s t o r e y s : 2 plus c e l l a r Weather : 2 0 ° F

-

R . H . 72% Location: Ottawa

W wind 3 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $20,000.

General: At approximately 2. 30 a. m. a m a l e occupant a s l e e p on the ground floor of the end unit of a 7-door row ( F i g u r e

6)

awakened and s m e l l e d smoke. Upon seeing f l a m e s in the adjoining kitchen, he fled f r o m the building, h i s shouts awakening neighbours who turned in an a l a r m . T h e f i r e developed rapidly in the unit of origin and was spreading to other units upon the a r r i v a l of the f i r e department. Unfortunately, this f i r e r e s u l t e d in four deaths

-

a young boy on the ground floor and t h r e e adults on the second floor.

Construction: T h i s was a wood f r a m e s t r u c t u r e with the studding sheathed on both s i d e s with nominal 1 -in. b o a r d s , E x t e r i o r cladding was asphalt siding (imitation brick) and t h e i n t e r i o r finish was p l a s t e r on wood lath. T h e flat roof was constructed of wood plank c o v e r e d with t a r and gravel. At the r e a r of each unit t h e r e was an attached

single - s t o r e y shed.

Separations: T h i s building was situated a t a s t r e e t i n t e r s e c t i o n s o that the front (west) wall and the side (north) wall faced s t r e e t widths. The r e a r of the s t r u c t u r e faced a lane and the south side faced a vacant lot. Interior s e p a r a t i o n s consisted of wooden stud p a r t i t i o n s finished with p l a s t e r on wood lath. T h e s e p a r t i t i o n s did not extend above the second floor ceiling. Thus, t h e r e was an open space beneath the r o o f which extended the whole length of the building. T h e r e w e r e no f i r e s t o p s in e i t h e r the p a r t y walls between units o r the e x t e r i o r walls. Another f e a t u r e which contributed t o the f i r e

s p r e a d was the longitudinal placement of the r o o f j o i s t s f r o m one end of the building t o the other.

E x i t s : E x i t s f r o m each unit w e r e provided by doors a t the front and in the shed a t the r e a r of the building ( F i g u r e s 6 and 7).

An i n t e r i o r wooden s t a i r c a s e adjoining the p a r t y wall led to the second floor.

S p r e a d of F i r e : The f i r e originated in the 1 - s t o r e y shed which s e r v e d a s the kitchen a r e a f o r the unit of origin. The f i r e quickly s p r e a d within the r e a r wall of the building and e n t e r e d the space

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between the r o o f and the s c c o ~ l d f l o o r ceiling. Although the whole building b e c a m e c o m p l e t e l y involvcd lhe f i r e did not s p r e a d t o arljaceut p r o p e r t y .

R e m a r k s : T h e l a c k of a d e q u a t e f i r e s e p a r a t i o n s b e t w e e n u n i t s and the l a c k of f i r e s t o p p i n g in w a l l s and p a r t i t i o r l s w e r e the p r i n c i p a l f a c t o r s i n the s p r e a d of t h i s f i r e .

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. ' 4/63 Date of f i r e : 12 M a r c h 1963 Day of week: T u e s d a y T i m e of f i r e : 2. 29 a. m. Weather: 1 6 0 ~

-

R.H. 89% E wind 19 mph, light snow. Occupancy: R e s i d e n t i a l ( r o w housing) No. of s t o r e y s : 2 p l u s c e l l a r Location: Ottawa E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $30, 000. G e n e r a l : A f i r e w a s d i s c o v e r e d a t t h e f i r s t floor l e v e l in t h e f r o n t wall of t h e c e n t r e unit of a 5-unit row-housing s t r u c t u r e ( F i g u r e 8).

Occupants a s l e e p in a n adjoining unit w e r e awakened by s m o k e and the c r a c k l i n g of f l a m e s i n s i d e t h e walls. T h e y a l e r t e d t h e occupants of the o t h e r units and t u r n e d in a n a l a r m .

Construction: T h i s building w a s of wood-frame c o n s t r u c t i o n , t h e e x t e r i o r cladding on t h e f r o n t and two s i d e w a l l s being b r i c k v e n e e r . T h e side and front w a l l s of the two units a t t h e w e s t end of t h e

building had been s u r f a c e d with s t u c c o over t h e b r i c k . T h e w a l l s s u r r o u n d i n g t h e light w e l l s a t t h e r e a r of t h e building w e r e sheathed with rough boarding and c o v e r e d with s h e e t m e t a l ( F i g u r e 9). T h e r e w e r e 1 - s t o r e y s h e d s of s i m i l a r c o n s t r u c t i o n a t t h e r e a r of e a c h unit.

S e p a r a t i o n s : A s t r e e t width a t t h e f r o n t of t h e building, a y a r d a t t h e r e a r and a vacant lot a t t h e w e s t end p r o v i d e d s u b s t a n t i a l s p a t i a l

s e p a r a t i o n . On t h e e a s t end, however, t h e s e p a r a t i o n w a s l i m i t e d to a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 ft between t h e end wall and t h e neighbouring s t r u c t u r e . T h e r e w e r e no window openings in e i t h e r of t h e end walls. I n t e r i o r s e p a r a t i o n s w e r e stud p a r t i t i o n s finished with p l a s t e r on wood l a t h which stopped a t t h e second floor ceiling.

E x i t s : E x i t s f r o m e a c h unit w e r e provided by a door a t t h e f r o n t and another in t h e shed a t the r e a r of t h e building. An i n t e r i o r wooden s t a i r c a s e adjoining t h e p a r t y wall extended f r o m t h e f i r s t t o t h e second floor in e a c h unit.

S p r e a d of F i r e : T h e f i r e s p r e a d f r o m t h e point of o r i g i n in t h e f r o n t wall of the c e n t r e unit u p w a r d s in the non - f i r e s t o p p e d wall t o the roof space. F i r e f i g h t e r s confined t h e f i r e t o t h e r o o f s p a c e and

extinguished a l l f u r t h e r s p r e a d in t h e walls. Although the e n t i r e roof s t r u c t u r e w a s h e a v i l y involved, t h e f i r e w a s confined to the building of origin.

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R e m a r k s : T h i s i s a typical row-housing f i r e in that the l a c k of

adequate f i r e s e p a r a t i o n s between units p e r m i t t e d the r a p i d

i ~ l v o l v e m e n t of the r o o f s t r u c t u r e and threatened total destruction of the building.

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 5/63

Date of f i r e : 24 M a r c h 1963 Occupancy: M e r c a n t i l e plus

Day of week: Sunday r e s i d e n t i a l

T i m e of f i r e : 3. 29 a. m. No. of s t o r e y s : 2 plus c e l l a r Weather: 2 0 ° F

- R. H.

8970 Location: Ottawa

SE wind 4 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $75, 000.

G e n e r a l : A f i r e which s t a r t e d in the c e l l a r of t h i s 2 - s t o r e y building s e v e r e l y damaged the s t r u c t u r e and contents b e f o r e it w a s extinguished. T h e building i s typical of many o t h e r s which over the y e a r s have been converted f r o m one occupancy t o another. Originally, this s t r u c t u r e was a 2-unit r e s i d e n t i a l building that had l a t e r been converted into a g r o c e r y s t o r e on t h e ground floor with living q u a r t e r s above. At the t i m e of the f i r e a 1 - s t o r e y addition w a s being completed a t the r e a r

of the o r i g i n a l s t r u c t u r e . In o r d e r t o c o n v e r t t h i s building into a m e r c a n t i l e occupancy, the p a r t y wall between the dwelling units had been taken down to c r e a t e an open m a r k e t i n g a r e a .

Construction: The o r i g i n a l s t r u c t u r e was of wood-frame construction with plank sheathing c o v e r e d by e x t e r i o r b r i c k veneer. In the r e c o n -

s t r u c t i o n , a wood-frame extension was added t o the front of the building. T h i s extension had a cladding of s t u c c o t o which w a s added a

decorative t e r r a z z o on t h e lower half of the front of the building ( F i g u r e 10). At the r e a r of the building an addition over a c r a w l s p a c e was n e a r i n g completion which would provide a r e f r i g e r a t i o n r o o m for the s t o r e . The addition was of wood-frame construction filled with m i n e r a l - w o o l insulation and c o v e r e d with wood-fibre sheeting ( F i g u r e 11). A s c r a t c h coat f o r s t u c c o w a s p a r t i a l l y com

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pleted.

T h e i n t e r i o r walls of the s t r u c t u r e w e r e wooden stud p a r t i t i o n s covered with p l a s t e r on wood l a t h in t h e o r i g i n a l portion of t h e s t r u c t u r e and p l a s t e r board in the additions. F l o o r s w e r e hardwood on a tongue-and-groove subfloor supported by wood joists. A s e r v i c e s h a f t containing heating ducts had been c o n s t r u c t e d with wood f r a m e and p l a s t e r board midway between the side w a l l s t o w a r d s the r e a r of t h e o r i g i n a l s t r u c t u r e . Shelving and c o u n t e r s for

m e r c h a n d i s e w e r e c o n s t r u c t e d along the side and r e a r walls and a l s o down the c e n t r e of the f i r s t floor. T h e flat roof w a s of wood plank laid on wooden j o i s t s and covered with r o l l e d a s p h a l t roofing t a r and gravel.

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S e p a r a t i o n s : T h e front of the building f a c e d a m a i n t h o r o u g h f a r e and the r e a r faced a n open a r e a . T h u s , t h e r e w a s s u b s t a n t i a l s p a t i a l separation. T h e south s i d e of the building w a s

6

in. f r o m t h e next building and t h e n o r t h side w a s s e p a r a t e d f r o m the neighbour

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ing s t r u c t u r e by a lane. T h i s lane was 7 f t wide a t the front of t h e building i n c r e a s i n g t o 12 ft a t t h e r e a r .

E x i t s : T h e m a r k e t i n g a r e a on the f i r s t floor exited t o t h e s t r e e t a t

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the front of the building and another exit w a s being i n s t a l l e d i n the addition at the r e a r to exit t o t h e laneway w h e r e i t connected with t h e r e a r yard. Two e x i t s w e r e provided for t h e second floor. A door led t o the roof of the addition a t t h e r e a r f r o m which a wooden s t a i r w a y led t o the ground at t h e r e a r of t h e laneway. At the front of the building a n enclosed s t a i r w a y had been c o n s t r u c t e d along t h e n o r t h wall exiting a t a door in t h e n o r t h wall a t ground level.

S p r e a d of F i r e : T h e f i r e originated in t h e b a s e m e n t and s p r e a d up the s e r v i c e shaft t o involve the second floor joist s p a c e and t h e

s p a c e under t h e roof. T h e f i r s t floor burned through and f i r e s p r e a d unobstructed throughout the building i n the concealed s p a c e s of f l o o r s and roof. T h e f i r e w a s confined t o the building of origin.

R e m a r k s : Lack of attention t o firestopping during r e c o n s t r u c t i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e r e t h e s e r v i c e shaft p i e r c e d t h e floor l e v e l s , p e r

-

mitted f i r e s p r e a d into concealed s p a c e s and p r e s e n t e d f i r e f i g h t e r s with a difficult t a s k t o c o n t r o l and extinguish t h e f i r e . Sufficient water supply and adequate pumping engines enabled f i r e f i g h t e r s t o confine the f i r e t o t h e building of origin in s p i t e o f t h e s m a l l s p a t i a l separation.

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DDR FIRE STUDY NO. 6/63

Date of f i r e : 16 A p r i l 1963 Occupancy: Mercantile plus Day of week: Tuesday r e s i d e n t i a l T i m e of f i r e : 2. 18 p. m. No. of s t o r e y s : 3

Weather: 60" F

-

R. H.

22% Location: Ottawa

S wind 10 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $60, 000.

G e n e r a l : Young children playing with m a t c h e s s t a r t e d a f i r e under a r e a r s t a i r w a y ( F i g u r e 12) of an old rambling wood-frame building. T h i s building was constructed s h o r t l y a f t e r the g r e a t Ottawa f i r e of

1900 and originally was used a s a hotel. In m o r e r e c e n t y e a r s it

had been converted into an a p a r t m e n t building with a confectionery s t o r e located on the ground floor at the n o r t h e a s t c o r n e r of the building

( F i g u r e 13). At the t i m e of the f i r e the building had been e x p r o p r i a t e d a s p a r t of a land c l e a r a n c e p r o g r a m in this a r e a and a number of the r o o m s w e r e vacant. A s t r u c t u r e of t h i s type could not be built i n Ottawa in the p r e s e n t day b e c a u s e of r e s t r i c t i o n s imposed by building regulations.

Construction: T h e Z-shaped building w a s of wood-frame construction with wood e x t e r i o r sheathing on wooden studs. T h e e x t e r i o r cladding of those portions of the front (north) and side ( e a s t ) walls fronting on the s t r e e t w e r e b r i c k v e n e e r ; sheet m e t a l was used on the r e m a i n d e r of the walls. The flat roof w a s covered with t a r and gravel. I n t e r i o r finish was p a r t l y p l a s t e r on wood lath and p a r t l y combustible board.

Separations: The c o r n e r location of the building a t a s t r e e t i n t e r - section provided substantial spatial s e p a r a t i o n s on the n o r t h and e a s t portions of the building having s t r e e t frontage. On the west side of the building of origin, an adjacent 2 - s t o r e y s t r u c t u r e ( F i g u r e 13) containing b u s i n e s s and r e s i d e n t i a l occupancies was constructed so that i t s r e a r wall p a r a l l e l e d a portion of the wall of the building of origin and ended with t h e i r west walls in a common line. On the e a s t side of the building of origin a s i n g l e - s t o r e y s t r u c t u r e had

been constructed s o that i t fitted into a jog of the Z-shaped s t r u c t u r e ( F i g u r e 13). The r e m a i n d e r of the south side of the building of

origin consisted of a s e r i e s of s m a l l jogs caused by the construction of s t a i r s and balconies, a portion of which c a m e within 5 ft of a 2 - s t o r e y r e s i d e n c e on the p r o p e r t y t o the south. The southwest c o r n e r of the i r r e g u l a r s t r u c t u r e w a s adjacent t o an open yard which p e r m i t t e d f i r e f i g h t e r s to initiate a flank attack on that q u a r t e r and p r o t e c t a 2 - s t o r e y r e s i d e n c e located within 3 ft of the west side of the r e a r portion of the building of origin.

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The i n t e r i o r of the building of o r i g i n contained open s t a i r w a y s and a n open r o o f s p a c e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 ft deep between the roof deck and the top floor ceiling that extended o v e r the e n t i r e building.

E x i t s : Two m e a n s of e g r e s s provided exit f a c i l i t i e s f r o m t h e f r o n t portion of t h i s building in addition t o the e n t r a n c e t o the c o n f e c t i o n e r y s t o r e on the ground floor. One e x i t w a s provided by a doorway a t s t r e e t s i d e of the e a s t e r n f r o n t a g e and t h e o t h e r by a m e t a l f i r e e s c a p e on the s a m e s i d e leading f r o m the upper two s t o r e y s t o the s t r e e t ( F i g u r e 13). At the r e a r a wooden s t a i r w a y p a r t i a l l y e n c l o s e d had been c o n s t r u c t e d f r o m the ground t o the t h i r d floor ( F i g u r e 1 2 ) .

S p r e a d of F i r e : F r o m i t s o r i g i n under the r e a r s t a i r w a y t h e f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y up the w a l l s and s t a i r w a y into t h e open roof s p a c e . The unpartitioned a r e a under t h e roof b e c a m e t o t a l l y involved

t h r e a t e n i n g the e n t i r e s t r u c t u r e beneath. T h e f i r e d e p a r t m e n t c o n - fined the f i r e t o the building of o r i g i n with t h e exception of the

adjacent 2 - s t o r e y s t r u c t u r e on the w e s t s i d e . T h i s building r e c e i v e d s o m e d a m a g e w h e r e i t s upper s t o r e y adjoined the building of origin.

R e m a r k s :

-

Modern f i r e -fighting equipment and adequate w a t e r

s u p p l i e s enabled the f i r e d e p a r t m e n t t o p r e v e n t the f i r e f r o m s p r e a d - ing t o adjacent buildings. If a s i m i l a r f i r e had o c c u r r e d in t h i s

building a t the t u r n of the c e n t u r y i t could w e l l have led t o a c o n - f l a g r a t i o n in t h i s a r e a .

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 7/63

Date of f i r e :

26

A p r i l 1963 Occupancy: B u s i n e s s and Day of week: F r i d a y p e r s o n a l s e r v i c e s T i m e of f i r e : 3 . 00 a . m . No. of s t o r e y s : 2 p l u s b a s e m e n t Weather : 3 3 ° F - R . H . 81% Location: Ottawa

WNW wind 6 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $50, 000.

G e n e r a l : F i r e of u n d e t e r m i n e d o r i g i n s e v e r e l y d a m a g e d one of

Ottawa's o l d e s t ( o v e r 100 y e a r s ) b u i l d i n g s , which had b e e n c o n s t r u c t e d o r i g i n a l l y a s a p r i v a t e r e s i d e n c e . T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n w a s t y p i c a l of t h e e r a in which i t w a s built, p a r t i c u l a r l y the m a n s a r d t y p e roof and t h e p r e p o n d e r a n c e of e x t e r i o r d e c o r a t i v e wood t r i m ( F i g u r e s 1 4 and 15). T h i s building w a s t o b e t o r n down s h o r t l y a n d t h e only r e m a i n i n g

occupancy w a s a b a r b e r shop i n the b a s e m e n t . S o m e t i m e p r i o r t o t h e f i r e the f i r s t floor of the r e s i d e n c e had been c o n v e r t e d i n t o a h a i r

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d r e s s i n g salon. At t h e t i m e of t h e f i r e t h e s a l o n w a s no l o n g e r a c t i v e but t h e owner of the s a l o n w a s s t i l l s t o r i n g s o m e h a i r d r e s s i n g e q u i p - m e n t and p r e p a r a t i o n s i n the building.

C o n s t r u c t i o n : T h e e x t e r i o r b e a r i n g w a l l s w e r e 8-in. b r i c k h a v i n g a running bond ( n o h e a d e r c o u r s e s ) . T h e i n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e s e w a l l s w a s p l a s t e r applied d i r e c t l y t o t h e b r i c k . I n t e r i o r p a r t i t i o n s w e r e 2 - b y 4-in. s t u d s f i n i s h e d with p l a s t e r and wood lath. Hardwood f l o o r s w e r e s u p p o r t e d on wooden j o i s t s t o which t o n g u e - a n d - g r o o v e wood b o a r d s w e r e n a i l e d t o f o r m t h e c e i l i n g s . T h e m a n s a r d t y p e r o o f w a s c o n s t r u c t e d of heavy t i m b e r s . T h e r o o f d e c k i t s e l f w a s r o u g h wood s h e a t h i n g c o v e r e d with wooden s h i n g l e s o v e r l a i n by a s p h a l t s h i n g l e s . T h e r e w a s a 3-ft c r a w l s p a c e between t h e s e c o n d floor c e i l i n g and t h e roof. T h e roof - s u p p o r t i n g t i m b e r s c a r r i e d down t o t h e 8 -in.

b r i c k w a l l a t t h e junction with t h e second floor j o i s t s . T h e b r i c k wall w a s c a r r i e d up 3 ft beyond the s e c o n d f l o o r between t h e r o o f s u p p o r t s a n d t o t h e top of t h e l a r g e d o r m e r s on t h e e a s t and south s i d e s .

S e p a r a t i o n s : T h i s building w a s l o c a t e d a t a s t r e e t i n t e r s e c t i o n with t h e f r o n t ( e a s t ) and the s i d e ( s o u t h ) w a l l s f a c i n g s t r e e t widths t h a t p r o v i d e d s u b s t a n t i a l s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n s ( F i g u r e 1 4 ) . T h e r e a r of t h e building opened t o a p a r k i n g l o t which a l s o p r o v i d e d a l i b e r a l

s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n . T h e n o r t h w a l l of t h e building f a c e d a 4 - s t o r e y a p a r t m e n t building ( F i g u r e

L

5). W h e r e window openings in the w a l l of t h e building of o r i g i n faced a windowless p o r t i o n of t h e i r r e g u l a r

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s h a p e d b r i c k wall of the a p a r t m e n t t h e r e w a s a n 8-ft s e p a r a t i o n a n d w h e r e window openings w e r e o p p o s i t e e a c h o t h e r t h e r e w a s a s p a c e of 10 ft. T h e r e w e r e two open s t a i r w a y s in t h e building.

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E x i t s : T h e r e w e r e two e n t r a n c e s t o the b a s e m e n t a r e a . T h e upper two f l o o r s w e r e s e r v e d by two wooden s t a i r w a y s which led t o e x t e r i o r e x i t s a t the f i r s t f l o o r level.

S p r e a d of F i r e : The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d on the s e c o n d floor and then s p r e a d t o v e r t i c a l p o r t i o n s of t h e m a n s a r d roof c o n s t r u c t i o n . T h e f i r e w a s confined t o t h e building of o r i g i n w h e r e f i r e damage w a s s e v e r e in the roof s t r u c t u r e and the second floor.

R e m a r k s : The i n t e r e s t i n g f e a t u r e of t h i s f i r e i s the e f f e c t of a m a n s a r d type roof c o n s t r u c t i o n on the s p r e a d of f i r e . A m a n s a r d

roof h a s v e r t i c a l s i d e s which s e r v e e s s e n t i a l l y a s walls f o r the top floor of a building ( F i g u r e 15). When f i r e p e n e t r a t e s t h i s type of c o n s t r u c t i o n i t can then s p r e a d u n r e s t r i c t e d within t h e concealed s p a c e c r e a t e d by t h e roof f r a m i n g m e m b e r s .

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DUR F I R E STUDY NO. 8 / 6 3

Date of f i r e : 2 Sept. 1963 Occupancy: R e s i d e n t i a l Day of week: Monday ( r o w housing) T i m e of f i r e : 12.53 a . m . No. of s t o r e y s : 2 p l u s c e l l a r

Weather : 58" F

-

R. H. 85% L o c a t i o n : Ottawa S W wind 6 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $16, 875.

G e n e r a l : T h i s f i r e o r i g i n a t e d in t h e end unit of a s u b s t a n d a r d

s t r u c t u r e divided into 6 units of r o w housing. T h e building p r o v i d e d t e n e m e n t a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r s o m e 42 p e r s o n s . T h e c a u s e of t h e f i r e w a s u n d e t e r m i n e d .

C o n s t r u c t i o n : T h e building c o n s i s t e d of a m a i n unit whose f r o n t a g e extended e a s t and w e s t along t h e s t r e e t . At t h e r e a r of the m a i n s t r u c t u r e t h e r e w e r e t h r e e 2 - s t o r e y a d d i t i o n s t h a t included in t h e i r c o n s t r u c t i o n a n a t t a c h e d s i n g l e - s t o r e y s h e d ( F i g u r e 16). T h e building w a s of w o o d - f r a m e , plank and j o i s t c o n s t r u c t i o n with t h e m a i n unit clad on t h r e e s i d e s with b r i c k v e n e e r and t h e r e a r w a l l and a d d i t i o n s having a s p h a l t s i d i n g on wood plank. T h e i n t e r i o r w a l l s w e r e of p l a s t e r on wooden lath. T h e roof of t h e m a i n s t r u c t u r e c o n s i s t e d of f e l t p a p e r , t a r and g r a v e l and t h e appended p o r t i o n s w e r e r o o f e d with a s p h a l t s h i n g l e s on wood plank. E x t e r i o r w a l l s u n d e r t h e cladding w e r e s h e a t h e d with a s p h a l t p a p e r .

S e p a r a t i o n s : T h e s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n v a r i e d on t h e four s i d e s of t h e building. T h e f r o n t and r e a r of t h e building had s u b s t a n t i a l s p a t i a l

s e p a r a t i o n s p r o v i d e d by a s t r e e t width and y a r d , r e s p e c t i v e l y . T h e e a s t end of the s t r u c t u r e w a s s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e a d j a c e n t building by a 1 2 - f t l a n e w a y and a t the w e s t end a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 ft s e p a r a t e d t h e building of o r i g i n f r o m the b l a n k m a s o n r y w a l l of the a d j a c e n t s t r u c t u r e ( F i g u r e 17).

I n t e r i o r w a l l s did not exten.d i n t o the roof s p a c e o r divide t h e a d d i t i o n s f r o m t h e m a i n p o r t i o n of t h e building.

E x i t s : E a c h unit h a d a f r o n t door opening into a low, divided double v e r a n d a h of wood c o n s t r u c t i o n . E a c h addition provided two e x i t s , one for e a c h unit of which i t f o r m e d a p a r t . Upper f l o o r s w e r e s e r v e d by open s t a i r w a y s a t t h e f r o n t and r e a r of the s t r u c t u r e .

S p r e a d of F i r e : T h e f i r e o r i g i n a t e d on t h e s e c o n d f l o o r of t h e unit on t h e e a s t end of the building and s p r e a d into t h e roof s t r u c t u r e w h e r e it w a s a b l e t o s p r e a d unimpeded t o the w e s t end of the s t r u c t u r e and a l s o

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i n t o t h e a d d i t i o n s a t t h e r e a r . Ignition o c c u r r e d o n a n e x p o s e d d o r m e r of the 2 i - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g l o c a t e d a c r o s s t h e l a n e w a y a t t h e e a s t e n d of t h e b u i l d i n g of o r i g i n b u t w a s e x t i n g u i s h e d b y f i r e f i g h t e r s b e f c r e a n y f u r t h e r s p r e a d c o u l d o c c u r . R e i l l a r k s : B u i l d i n g s of t h i s t y p e p r e s e n t a s e r i o u s p r o b l e m t o f i r e f i g h t e r s b e c a u s e of t h e n u m b e r of i n h a b i t a n t s a n d t h e s p e e d with which t h e f i r e c a n s p r e a d . L a c k of a t t e n t i o n t o p r o p e r f i r e s t o p p i n g i s u s u a l l y a m a j o r f a c t o r c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e r a p i d s p r e a d of f i r e .

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 9/63

Date of f i r e : 3 Nov. 1963 Occupancy: Residential

Day of week: Sunday (row housing)

T i m e of f i r e : 1. 30 a. m. No. of s t o r e y s : 2

Weather : 3 4 ° F

-

R.

H.

6670 Location: Ottawa NW wind 32 mph, E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $44, 000. v e r y light snow.

G e n e r a l : C a r e l e s s n e s s w a s t h e c a u s e of t h i s f i r e in a substandard 2 - s t o r e y s t r u c t u r e containing 7 units of row housing ( F i g u r e 18).

T h e building, located in the c e n t r a l p a r t of the c i t y that w a s developed e a r l y in t h i s century, was one of m a n y in the a r e a that provide

tenement accommodation. T h e f i r e w a s discovered by a tenant a l m o s t a t the outset p e r m i t t i n g sufficient warning to be given t o p r e v e n t l o s s of life. T h e f i r e s p r e a d v e r y r a p i d l y p r e s e n t i n g a f i r e of m a j o r p r o p o r t i o n s t o the f i r e f i g h t e r s who w e r e r e q u i r e d t o cope with

a d v e r s e weather conditions c a u s e d by a s t r o n g wind that at t i m e s gusted to 50 mph. A f i r e which d e s t r o y e d an adjacent building s o m e 5 months p r e v i o u s l y had e n t e r e d the r o o f s t r u c t u r e of t h i s row w h e r e it s p r e a d a c r o s s 4 units before being brought under control. T h e damage c a u s e d by t h i s p r e v i o u s f i r e had been r e p a i r e d .

Construction: E a c h unit of the 7-d00r row w a s made up of two types of construction. The front portion of the building was a continuous b r i c k m a s o n r y s t r u c t u r e to which w e r e appended 2 - s t o r e y , slant

-

roofed additions ( F i g u r e 19). T h e s e additions w e r e of wood-frame construction clad with asphalt siding. The slant roof w a s of wood plank covered with asphalt shingles. In the main s t r u c t u r e , m a s o n r y walls supported wooden j o i s t s , f l o o r s w e r e of wood, and i n t e r i o r walls were of p l a s t e r on wooden lath. The e a s t wall of the middle unit of the row was constructed of c o n c r e t e block which extended t o the roof line. T h i s wall had been c o n s t r u c t e d a f t e r the f i r e which had caused damage t o the roof s t r u c t u r e 6 ,months previously. The front portion of the row had a flat roof covered with built up-roofing consisting of felt p a p e r , t a r and gravel.

Separations: The s t r u c t u r e occupied the e a s t h a l f of a s m a l l block and thus w a s surrounded on t h r e e s i d e s by s t r e e t widths. T h e s t r e e t widths on the e a s t and south w e r e comparatively n a r r o w , being only about 40 ft wide. The s t r e e t width on the n o r t h side ( f r o n t ) of t h e building w a s

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Masonry w a l l s containing common chimney f l u e s s e p a r a t e d e a c h end unit f r o m t h e c e n t r a l portion of the building. T h e s e w a l l s did not extend into the roof s p a c e like the c o n c r e t e bloclc wall in the c e n t r e of the building. S e p a r a t i o n s between the front and r e a r p o r t i o n s c o n s i s t e d of mixed f r a m e c o n s t r u c t i o n with p l a s t e r on wood l a t h w a l l s p i e r c e d by openings. At t h e w e s t end of the s t r u c t u r e t h e r e was a s m a l l s p a c e of just over 1 ft s e p a r a t i n g the s t r u c t u r e f r o m a windowless m a s o n r y wall of the neighbouring building.

E x i t s : The f r o n t door of e a c h unit provided a n exit t o a wooden verandah a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 ft high t h a t w a s connected by wooden s t e p s t o ground level. An open s t a i r w a y approached f r o m the f r o n t door provided a m e a n s of e g r e s s f r o m t h e second s t o r e y . T h e r e a r portion

of 2 units had r e a r d o o r s on the lower floor in a s m a l l closed-in porch. T h e r e m a i n i n g 5 units had e x i t s in t h e additions a t the r e a r .

S p r e a d of F i r e : The f i r e s t a r t e d in a h o m e - m a d e c l o t h e s cupboard of a n e l d e r l y occupant whose r o o m w a s located on the second floor of the second unit f r o m the e a s t end of the building. T h e f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y on the second floor and e n t e r e d the roof s t r u c t u r e . T h i s a r e a eventually b e c a m e t o t a l l y involved a s the f i r e bypassed the c o n c r e t e block wall via the wooden additions. T h e f i r e w a s confined t o the building of origin.

R e m a r k s : A quick r e s p o n s e by f i r e f i g h t e r s t o t h e s c e n e , sufficient

w a t e r and pumping equipment and s u f f i c i e n t s p a t i a l s e p a r a t i o n s p e r

-

m i t t e d t h i s f i r e t o be confined t o the building of origin in s p i t e of t h e a d v e r s e effects of the high wind which in o t h e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s might h a v e produced a conflagration.

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DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 10/63

Date o f f i r e : 1 5 N o v . 1963 Occupancy: R e s i d e n t i a l Day of week: F r i d a y ( a p a r t m e n t ) T i m e of f i r e : 3. 00 p. m. No. of s t o r e y s : 14 p l u s b a s e m e n t Weather : 38"

F

- R. H.

6870 Location: Ottawa

WSW wind 17 mph. E s t i m a t e d l o s s : $10,000.

G e n e r a l : T h e f i r e o c c u r r e d on the roof of a l a r g e 1 4 - s t o r e y a p a r t m e n t building r e c e n t l y c o n s t r u c t e d n e a r the Village of Rockcliffe in the

n o r t h e a s t portion of the City of Ottawa ( F i g u r e 20). While approaching the s c e n e of the f i r e a l a r g e black cloud of smoke was o b s e r v e d , and c l o s e r t o the s c e n e f l a m e s w e r e visible on t h e w e s t e r n end of t h e roof. T h e f i r e was discovered by workmen on the floor below who w e r e

working on new penthouse suites. No one w a s on the roof a t the t i m e a s t h e r o o f e r s had left at 2.00 p. m. The penthouse s u i t e s w e r e new

additions t o the existing s t r u c t u r e which had been in u s e for s o m e months. A building p e r m i t had just been i s s u e d p e r m i t t i n g t h e c o n - s t r u c t i o n a f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e deliberation by Ottawa City Council. It was thought p o s s i b l e that the origin of the f i r e w a s a s s o c i a t e d with t a r -heating appliances on the r o o f and the t a r r i n g mops in p a r t i c u l a r .

Construction: The building p r o p e r w a s of f i r e - r e s i s t a n t r e i n f o r c e d - c o n c r e t e construction. T h e roofing m a t e r i a l s consisted of f i b r e insulating board, felt p a p e r , and asphalt s e a l e r . A finish l a y e r of

chip stone was applied to bond with the a s p h a l t but had not been applied w h e r e the roof a r e a was involved in fire.

S e p a r a t i o n s : T h e building was s u r r o u n d e d by s t r e e t widths and the altitude of t h e f i r e l i m i t e d e x p o s u r e to the a r e a i m m e d i a t e l y beneath i t which was protected by the thin c o n c r e t e r o o f deck. C o n c r e t e walls p r o t e c t e d the s e r v i c e a r e a located a t roof level.

E x i t s : F o u r e l e v a t o r s s e r v e d t h i s building and t h e r e w e r e adequate enclosed s t a i r wells.

S p r e a d of F i r e : T h e f i r e s p r e a d f r o m the a r e a w h e r e the t a r r i n g appliances w e r e s t o r e d n e a r the e x t r e m e w e s t end of t h e roof and involved a portion of the f r e s h l y t a r r e d a r e a of the roof. The facing b o a r d s along both s i d e s of the edge of the r o o f ignited and burned t h e i r complete length up to the wall of the s e r v i c e s penthouse. A

portion of the roof had been finished and c o v e r e d with chip stone and was not involved ( F i g u r e 21).

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R e m a r k s : T h i s f i r e w a s thought t o have b e e n i n i t i a t e d by the spontaneous ignition of a t a r mop left with the roofing m a t e r i a l s on the unfinished p o r t i o n of the roof. R o o f e r s engaged on the job r e m a r k e d that t h i s was a common o c c u r r e n c e and had w i t n e s s e d t h i s phenomenon on o t h e r jobs.

T h e building height delayed f i r e m e n , suggesting that s o m e c o n s i d e r a t i o n be given t o t h e p r o v i s i o n of a n o v e r r i d i n g c o n t r o l on a u t o m a t i c e l e v a t o r s s o that t h e y c a n b e obtained i m m e d i a t e l y in c a s e of e m e r g e n c y . T h i s p r a c t i c e i s c a r r i e d out a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e in s o m e municipalities. No difficulty w a s e x p e r i e n c e d in extinguishment once w a t e r w a s available.

T h e p e r f o r m a n c e of the finished p o r t i o n of t h e roof w h e r e chip stone had been s p r e a d indicated that r a d i a t i o n f r o m the flaming p o r t i o n had l i t t l e effect in r a i s i n g t h e roof c o v e r i n g t o t h e ignition t e m p e r a t u r e . T h i s would indicate that t h e t h i n l a y e r of p r o t e c t i v e chip stone p r o v i d e s c o n s i d e r a b l e r e s i s t a n c e t o f i r e s p r e a d o v e r a roof s u r f a c e .

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F i g u r e I F r o n t v i e w of building.

F i g u r e 2 Interior v i e w of one of the shops s h o w i n g roof and c e i l i n g e s n s t r u c " ' L I O ~ .

(28)
(29)

DBR

FIRE S T U D Y NO, 2 / 6 3

Figure

4 V i e w of d u c t s involved i n f i r e .

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DBR FlRE S T U D Y NO. 3 / 6 3

F i g u r e

6

F r o n t view of 7-unit s o w housing, U n i t of o r i g i n i n f o r egr s u n d .

Figure 7 R e a r v i e w o i I~uiiding s h o w i n g f i r e s p r e a d in r e a r w a l l s . U n i t of osici ii-1 i l l f o r e g r o u n d .

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F i g u r e 8 F r o n t v i e w of 5 -unit t e n e m e n t .

F i g u r e

9

R e a r view of unit at e a s t e n d showing s e p a r a t i o : ~ f r a m next building.

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F i g u r e 9 0 F r o n t v i e w of b u i l d i n g l o c a t e d an w e s t s i d e cf rnain thoroughfare.

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-

F i g u r e 12 R e a r p o r t i o n of b u i l d i n g \./here f i r e originated.

F i g u r e 1 3 V i e w looking t o w a r d s n o r t h a n d e a s t w a l l s of building kavarag s t r e e t f r o n t a g e .

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F i g u r e 1 4 F r o n t v i e w of building.

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BBR FTWE S T U D Y NO. 8 / 6 3

F i g u r e

16

S i d e v i e w of 6 -unit r o w kousin.g,

F i g u r e 1'9 V i e w s h o w i n g s e p a r a t i o n b e t w e e n west. w a l l and

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DBR

FIRE S'TC'DY

NO.

5 / 6 3

F i g u r e 1 8 F r o n t v i e w of building.

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DBR FIRE S T U D Y NO.

1 0 d 6 3

F i g u r e

20

F r o n t v i e w of a p a r t m e n t building.

F i g u r e 2 1 V i e w of roof a r e a involved in f i r e .

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APPENDIX A

ANALYSIS O F FIRES INVESTIGATED B Y T H E FIRE SECTION

F i g u r e A-1 F r e q u e n c y Distribution of F i r e s by Month

F i g u r e A-2 F r e q u e n c y Distribution of F i r e s by Day of Week

F i g u r e A - 3 F r e q u e n c y Distribution of F i r e s by Hour of Day

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JAN

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

0

N

DEC

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S l l N M

T

W

T

F

SAT

F I G U R E A - 2

(41)

dnight

Midnight

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Figure

Figure 5  A c c e s s   t o   upper  f l o o r s   on  w e s t   s i d e   sf building
Figure  7  R e a r   v i e w   o i   I~uiiding  s h o w i n g   f i r e   s p r e a d  in  r e a r  w a l l s

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