(VIDEO) Maplewood,NJ Multiple Alarm Fire Avalon Bay Apartment Complex 2/4/17

[MESS11FOREVER 246]

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/02/intense_fire_levels_part_of_unfinished_avalon_comp.html

 

 

[travelsonic 4]

Can't help but feel like this will not help anyone (re?)gain faith in the Avalon brand, nor will it help instill any faith in the brand.  

 

I wonder, it said they were able to keep the fire from spreading to the completed structures... pardon me if I sound a little flippant, but anyone know if they actually learned a damn thing from the Edgewater Avalon fire, or are they still making the same decisions that, at least can be ARGUED, contributed to the fire's size?  You'd think they'd at least consider putting in fire walls, and sprinklers, especially if they insist on using that highly flammable "engineered lumber" to build most of the structure.  ~_~

 

 

Edited February 6, 2017 by travelsonic

[vodoly 535]

They did a pretty good job Jkeepingin from getting in to completed part Good job calling in all that mutual aid

[x635 4,066]

Sadly,  Avalon didn't learn anything from Edgewater. But as long as Avalon builds extreme lightweight wooden construction buildings, fires like this will be possible. This project was under construction and not occupied, and insurance probably covers it so Avalon probably doesn't care. But what would happen if it was occupied, and how much time would it take for residents to get out?

 

On the legislative side, there should be a law banning lightweight wood in structures such as these.

 

 

[antiquefirelt 994]

It certainly seems like time the building codes began to review the height and area limitations of Type V construction. Most large scale buildings must meet these rules, but are granted allowances ofr open perimeter and sprinklers, thus you can build a much larger/taller structure than may be practical. Given the wood frame construction materials available (engineered and lightweight) the height and area limitation should likely be reduced to account for the lack of structural mass and the the reduction in time to structural failure under fire conditions. Even if the national code sets don't change (or not quickly enough) the state of New Jersey has enough evidence to pass their own restrictions, and the rest of us should take note.