We have often said that the “industry†doesn’t build buildings to make our job any easier. This one is a perfect example. John Occhipinti from Hempstead Fire (NY) sent in these photos of an interesting structure they found in their area.
A look from the A/D corner reveals nothing of true significance. We would probably call this ordinary construction, and may estimate the building size to be about 60×20. Building size is a good thing to know for estimating hose (those engine guys always say we forget about them on this site), visualizing search, or a number of other things. But don’t stop there; don’t forget to perform the ever important 360 of the structure.
A look from the B/C corner may give a different perspective. The building is shaped like a wedge! It’s only 6 feet wide on side B. Count the bricks if you doubt our guess. While searching the structure it may be a little confusing or disorienting in this area of the building. What about those crazy locking mechanisms on the doors on side C. Didn’t see them? Look again…
That’s right, no exits on side C! That could certainly complicate things. Many would have “assumed†the presence of exits on side C. Believe it or not the code doesn’t require any to be there. The need for exits is determined on travel distance from the furthest part or the building to the nearest exit. Then the code only requires the doors to be “remote†from each other. They determine remoteness by a mathematical equation calculating ½ or ⅓ the diagonal distance of the structure.
Well that code explanation was probably a little too much detail for this discussion. Bottom line is that the layout of the building could be confusing, and there are no rear exits. Just goes to show you that you have to keep an eye out for this stuff.
Great find and great “know-you-building” photo.
Occhipinti has got to be the most interesting name published on the front cover in the history of Fire Engineering 🙂
Nate DeMarse
Searching for what? Its an appliance store. If you couldnt find the fire in this building you would either be blind or at the wrong address 🙂
Besides the fact that its an appliance store what could possibly be in that small area? It surely isn’t offices. More than likely it would be a storage area or some sort of “unused” space. It looks like the office is out back in the 10×10 shed anyway.
do you think its a type 3?
do you think its a type three building?
Before “Garden City Appliances” moved in I wouldn’t be suprised if this building was originally home to a company that manufactured door wedges.
😉
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/funepics/Wedgie.jpg
Two words “Area Familiarization”. Know Your 1st and 2nd due.
Thats where I’ve seen the name Occhipinti before….thanks Nate! Crap….now I can sleep at night.
Don’t get in that trap of believing the sign on the door. There could be anything in there. I’ve seen clan labs in buildings that said bakery and sewing sweat shops in the top floor of a carry out! You get the idea. Preplanninng would tell what the load is. We do our own fire inspections on the street so the guys working that district know get to see the buildings inside and out before the tones drop. And remember when driving up on the scene, you want to see at least three sides of the building…
John, do you have any relatives in Jersey? I went to h.s. with an Occhipinti ( his name was Joe) and he was always asking me how he could get involved in the fire dept.
Anyway, I’d bet the crazy shape of that building has something to do with the lot lines. Everyone wants to use all the available space they can. You never know what the codes were when the place was built.
Quote Chief49:
“Anyway, I’d bet the crazy shape of that building has something to do with the lot lines.”
If you look at my pics you’ll see that it has everything to do with lot lines.
Clinton street doesn’t run perpendicular to it’s cross streets. This of course causes the corner lots to be wedge shaped.
🙂
Hey John. I have family with your last name in long island. My great grandmother is Jenny Ferro, Married to Sam Ferro. Just curious.
To Chief49 and Jarrod: Negative on both. No family in NJ and do not know the Ferro’s. The name is actually quite common though it may not seem so. The bldg in the picture is actully in our extreme north end of town. So units approaching will most likely see side B/2 as they approach. But that will not always be the case of course. To Jon and the annonymos from April 30th: the sarcasim is funny but sadly youre missing the point. This irregular shaped bldg can be found in any size and with any type of occupancy. It could throw a FF’s sense of orientation off greatly. Its the concept of sharing with other brothers from across the country of what could be in their district. Thats what makes Vententersearch so helpful.