| Issues | Comments |
| Large Unsprinklered Combustible Spaces | The lack of automatic sprinklers in substanital combustible spaces allowed a large fire to develop. The 1996 edition of NFPA 13R permits open baclconies, stairs and corridors, outside
porches, attics and concealed spaces not intended for
living purposes or storage.
|
| Inappropiate Sprinkler Standard Used | NFPA 13D is not intended for large structures or for other than use in 1 and 2 family dwellings and mobile homes. |
| Draft Stopping and Tenant Fire Separations | The attic represented a substantial unprotected combustible space whose primary fire defense is the
building code required draft stopping at tenant
separation walls. Between effective draft stops,
unimpeeded fire growth can be expected and, with
typical attic ventilation, plenty of air will be available
for this growth. Stopping the fire’s spread at this
point will depend on the integrity of the draft stops,
fire department intervention, and the failure time of
the construction. In this structure, the location of
draft stops may not have coincided with tenant
separation walls in all locations. The fire may have
traveled through apartments under the draft stops. |
| Ventilation Openings into Attic | Air vent openings at the building eaves permitted the fire to easily access the unprotected combustible
attic space. |
| Fire Spread | The open combustible corridors and balconies and
lightweight exterior wall finish supported rapid
vertical and horizontal fire spread. |
| Delayed Fire Reporting | The exterior point of origin and time of ignition
combined to cause a long delay in the dicscovery and
reporting of this fire. |
| Access Limitation | The main body of fire was on the side of the
structure with restricted access. Swimming pool,
fencing, and lack of roadways delayed the fire
department’s attack on this side. |
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