September 13, 2007

Northbrook-based Underwriters Laboratories Inc. said Wednesday it received a $991,900 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the structural stability of engineered lumber -- especially lightweight wooden trusses -- and evaluate the effectiveness of extinguishing agents used in fighting fires in modern structures.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, Chicago Fire Department and University of Maryland Fire Protection Department are cooperating in the research, UL said.

Lightweight wooden trusses, made with engineered lumber, are found in 65 percent of new residential and commercial developments, according to the Wood Truss Council of America.

Allowing for faster, more cost-effective construction, evidence has indicated that lightweight wood trusses may become unstable and collapse more quickly during fires than traditional trusses. UL said.

"The research conducted under this grant should shed new light on an issue we've long suspected was causing instability for firefighters and leading to injuries," said Chief Steven Westermann, president of the fire chiefs association.

Earlier research suggested that unprotected lightweight wood truss assemblies can fail within six to 13 minutes of exposure to fire.

Between 1998 and 2003, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health attributed 13 firefighter fatalities and nine firefighter injuries to the collapse of buildings built with lightweight wood trusses.

During the same time frame, five fatalities and two injuries are attributed to collapses of buildings with heavy timber, solid-joist lumber truss construction.

"Building and roof collapse are the most dangerous elements of firefighting," said Raymond Orozco, Chicago's fire commissioner. "The move toward more and more lightweight construction means that men and women in the fire service must have the best information available to be able to determine the risk and timing of structural failure."

UL, an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization, expects the research project to take a year and expects to report the findings in early 2009.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs represents leaders of more than 1.2 million firefighters internationally.