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The melting point of steel is between 1100 and 1600 degrees, but building materials can be covered on various other materials and coatings so it all kind of depends. You've posted a lot of random questions, you could try looking in a firefighting textbook or even trying the Google searchbar on for try.

FieryRedHead says ...

The melting point of steel is between 1100 and 1600 degrees, but building materials can be covered on various other materials and coatings so it all kind of depends. You've posted a lot of random questions, you could try looking in a firefighting textbook or even trying the Google searchbar on for try.

look at miss.know-it-all here!  j/k   :P

when we were in the bedroom at the academy you were like miss.dictionary when I would ask you questions because of all the studying you've been doing! kinda like gwyd....I dunno if you watch law and order:ci, but gwyd, your like detective goran on there....you seem to know everything about anything! lol

Weigl says ...

FieryRedHead says ...

The melting point of steel is between 1100 and 1600 degrees, but building materials can be covered on various other materials and coatings so it all kind of depends. You've posted a lot of random questions, you could try looking in a firefighting textbook or even trying the Google searchbar on for try.

look at miss.know-it-all here!  j/k   :P

when we were in the bedroom at the academy you were like miss.dictionary when I would ask you questions because of all the studying you've been doing! kinda like gwyd....I dunno if you watch law and order:ci, but gwyd, your like detective goran on there....you seem to know everything about anything!

I'm such a huge fire geek, I'm glad I could answer your questions though. Hit me up periodically and I know it is only going to get worse. What else are you supposed to talk about in fire academy dorms other than fire loser girl stuff? That was so much fun, I wish we could have girls only sleepover/fire training weekends at the fire academy more often :-)

And Gwyd...quit reading books and stuff, you make the rest of us sound uneducated. :-p

 

Gwyd says ...

depends on the steel alloy, folks.  chromium steel vs. titanium or magnesium or carbon steel?  pre-existing asbestos fireproofing sprayed on or not?  (some of the substitute fireproofing works just as well, actually.)  this is a hard question to answer.  my perspective is that if the structural steel is already on fire, back away and use remote hose-holders or monitor nozzles, as per the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook.  does that make any sense, or am i too uninitiated here on this particular topic?

This is what the book says and a liitle more if your able to decipher it all. Your profile says your a recruit- are you in class now? This is a question that that is answered in Fire Essentials book maybe not as detailed as Gwyd's answer but then again what is!

And Gywd, Weigl got it so right on the Detective Goran. I had an ex who used to call me the book of useless facts... I don't even compare in knowledge of my know little of everything- can't master a thing!

Well, Froog, i never watched any of those shows but i'll trust Weigl's judgement.  i was once called a "font of useless knowledge," but in my opinion there's no such thing...it all comes in handy sooner or later, and often in the weirdest of circumstances.

i just like learning new stuff, and that helps when i teach refresher classes, because otherwise students are bored to tears hearing the same old shit year after year.  the "mad scientist" attitude helps as well.  if i can't make it different every year, their snores would keep ME awake!

Steel beams and heavy structural members can go up 1200-1300 degrees before failing, but the lighter steel roof trusses will start twisting and failing as low as 900-1000. The thickness and amount of surface area exposed to the heat plays a big roll, as well as, like GWYD said, the type and treatment of the steel members. This is where preplanning comes very much into play, KNOW THINE ENEMY !

Gwyd says ...

depends on the steel alloy, folks.  chromium steel vs. titanium or magnesium or carbon steel?  pre-existing asbestos fireproofing sprayed on or not?  (some of the substitute fireproofing works just as well, actually.)  this is a hard question to answer.  my perspective is that if the structural steel is already on fire, back away and use remote hose-holders or monitor nozzles, as per the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook.  does that make any sense, or am i too uninitiated here on this particular topic?

Nah. Your perspective is about right. I don't care to get under steel that's on fire either.

Steel melts at 2750 degrees Farenheit.

Steel loses 50% of its strenght at 1100°F and at 1800°F it has less than 10%.

Steel begins to lose its ability to support its own weight between 500 to 900°F

As steel is heated it begins to enlongate and push out the side of buildings weaking the structaral integrity of the building.  If it can't elongate it twists, sags, and bends.

Some fuels and temperatures for comparison are:  typical structure fire generates temperatures between 700 to 2000°F,   LPG ignites between  920-1029°F and  Optimum Flame Temperature is 3500°F, and  Jet fuel burns at 800° to 1500°F

You can pick up a decent one around $100 bucks. I'd be interested in seeing those pics

yeah, OK, eBay, but they don't trust me with plastic.  you'd hafta go make the buy for me as if it was a drug deal.

hmmm...pyramid schemes, eh?  i only wanted to get a cam to take some pics of me, since i don't have any, and people seem to want to find out what the hell i look like.  i'll need a 'puter too, when i move out of this dump.