Firefighter Scott Lyons from FDNY TL79 sent in this set of “that don’t look right†photos. The structure is a two family, 2 ½ story wood frame probably about 80-90 years old. Part of the structure is being supported by 3 shores made out of two 2×12’s sandwiching a piece of plywood, held together with a few bolts. The shores appear to be “supportingâ€â€¦better stated attempting to support… the fact that the original supporting columns appear to be deteriorating.
Oh, and of course the structure is fully occupied…
Perhaps this is a temporary measure put into effect whenever the owner’s ‘mother-in-law’ visits and stays in the upstairs front room? 😉
Seriously, any permits posted?
Come on guys this is a good thing, opening this house up will be easy. Just walk up and kick the boards and let gravity do the rest. You seriously never know what the next run will have for you to fix. At lest this one is in the front yard.
We see this all over New England. It’s how contractors brace the roof overhang while they re-build the decks. It’s ugly and it’s nasty and it’s gotta suck during even a small burn. I’d find another way in.
At least this is now a “visible” problem. Imagine finding out the porch wasn’t stable while attacking a fire in that structure?
And yes, that is a common bracing technique when people do work on porches and decks. It probably would be a little better if they had a 2×12 doin the vertical also/ basically making a triangle.
Just like rjd2051 said. This IS VERY COMMON. Just a temporary support until the new columns are in. I wish there was a construction permit visible or some protection around the base of the shores.
If I saw this during the week with guys working I would be less inclined to call the Chief, only cause they are working to fix the problem. If this was left like this over the weekend with no fencing protecting the base then it would get a call to the Chief and the collapse rig as it an occupied dwelling and that 2nd means of egress must be protected. Besides those rescue guys love playing Jesus.
Hey brothers,
In relation to the last comment…The building has been like this for at least five weeks now with no progress being made..Im going on vacation so we shall see if it remains a work in progress when I get back…Stay safe all..
Scott,
It’s been like that for every bit of 5 weeks, probably more, and you know it’ll probably be like that 5 weeks from now. I’ll keep an eye on it and let you know if anything changes while you’re sunning yourself in NJ.
While this looks bad, at least it’s a clear signal to us that there is a structural problem. How many other porches in the neighborhood are probably in just as bad or worse condition? The question isn’t whether we’ll be laddering them and climbing all over them at 3am performing VES. That’s a given. The question is will they hold us up or let us down? Always check for stability before you commit yourself and never assume that porches, railings,etc. are structurally sound. Some of these old houses, at least in our area, have a fresh coat of paint over 75+ years of dry rot. Stay safe!
The bald guy to Scott’s right
This is very a common practice. while I was pursuing a career in the fire service not too many years ago while I was still volunteering I worked for my uncle on his construction crew, we used this method a number of times on some Historic homes. We did however put safety first. Not sure if we had a permit or if it was even needed on the type work we were doing. I do see the danger in it and hope that this sort of thing would be passed on information if any other dept. encounters this especially if its been there 5 weeks! Great info Scott!
So guys, seen as some of us don’t like the looks of this, what would you do to support that roof while the porches were being removed?
Scaffold exposures 2 and 4 or B and D depending on where in the country you work. Structural support framing up those same sides creating a second exterior bearing wall.
At point where new walls meet the roof overhang there would be support beams horizontally across absorbing the load. Then you can remove everything below it without it failing.
This cost allot of time, product and money.
Money talks….Bull%^&* walks, hence the pic that 79 truck member took. It happens all the time in the five boros and has killed more than it’s share of firefighters and day laborers.
There are other ways of shoring for stabilization purposes. The method above is the method for repair / replacement work of structural members.
So did anyone call 311 yet?
Hey Forgotten, Good plan/thoughts. 20′ is quite a span but I like your way of thinking. Anyone else got some good ideas?