Fire

[55 Fargo]

If the concern is the metal plates letting loose, you could nail the tar out of those plates w/ a nail gun.  That would extend the grip deep into the wood.  I have built smaller sized buildings both ways, with rafters & a ridge board, or with trusses, but none of them have burned, so I don't know how that would compare.

what is this, a new Ralph Nader thing? What the H are nails going to do, if the lumber burns. I dunno, about this...

[pflaming]

I'll take some pictures of my damaged trusses, might be informative. We may as well learn all we can from this. 

[55 Fargo]

I'll take some pictures of my damaged trusses, might be informative. We may as well learn all we can from this. 

Okay Paul this is true, but every fire situation is different, really if a major fire strikes any building, your "F" ed anyway, so whatever, rebuild your garage to code, to your needs and liking and be done with it...

[Eneto-55]

what is this, a new Ralph Nader thing? What the H are nails going to do, if the lumber burns. I dunno, about this...

Nope.  The previous poster said that the plates buckle away from the wood, allowing the roof to collapse.  Maybe I understood his comment incorrectly, but I took it that he meant that BEFORE the wood burns, the plates let go of the wood.  I don't know, because I have never inspected a truss after partial burning.  It makes sense, however, that the short cleats that are on the plates would turn loose well before nails would, because of the deeper penetration.  Those cleats are probably no more than 3/8" long, although there a LOT of them.  

Edited February 21, 2014 by Eneto-55

[pflaming]

The discourse on trusses is very educational and very helpful to me. Thank you.  Back to the truck. I noted earlier that you would have to go to the BBQ to see the final result, but that is not fair to some many who have expressed their sorrow and have offered help. Today I removed the glass, all interior materials, and floor mates etc.  Then I put in a couple of hours of steam cleaning, under the hood (bonnet, for my good UK friends), in the cap, under the dash and on the surface. Here is how it looks this afternoon.  It's stance is off because it has a 14" rim and tire on one corner.  

 

Will keep you informed. I still have about 2/5's of the garage floor to clean and will continue on that tomorrow. But I just wanted to see what the truck looked like steam cleaned so I could do some thinking on that this week end. The wiring kit from EZ arrived today, so I'm just about to turn the corner or top the hill.

 

Let me ponder: new wiring, glass, gauges, seat, insulation, tire(s), check the brakes, and tune it up. That is one weeks work and it will be ready to drive to the BBQ!.  See you there?

 

 

 

 

[Jerry Roberts]

It's looking a lot better already . 

[TodFitch]

I'd heard that firefighters didn't like wood truss roofs and this thread caused me to do a little searching.

 

It also seems like they don't like the engineered wood floor joists as well. Near as I can tell the reason is that the engineered wood building components basically have less wood in them so it does not take as much fire to weaken them enough to be unsafe for a firefighter to be on or under.

[55 Fargo]

I'd heard that firefighters didn't like wood truss roofs and this thread caused me to do a little searching.

 

It also seems like they don't like the engineered wood floor joists as well. Near as I can tell the reason is that the engineered wood building components basically have less wood in them so it does not take as much fire to weaken them enough to be unsafe for a firefighter to be on or under.

OSB engineered beams or joist would burn very fast, lets face it, fire can be nasty , unless you have a concrete floor, walls, it's all going to burn in a big inferno. The response time is critical, out where I live, it's all volunteer, no hydrants, firehall is 3 miles away, so this place would be in trouble.

I can tell you this a neighbors large very old garage burnt to the ground in no time flat, all old time wood construction, 

There are fire codes and standards in this country regarding construction using wood trusses, here is a link.

http://www.cwta.net/fire_safety.php

[Dodgeb4ya]

Look at that jerry can on the right running board! It's Smoked half way up! I'm amazed it did not explode-that is if it did have gas in it.

If you had used one of todays plastic red gas cans....well it would be completely melted and helped quickly fuel the garage fire.

The "patina dodge " will rise again!!!!

Bob

[Desotodav]

It cleaned up pretty well Paul. Doesn't seem to be any warping of panels there. Still plenty of work though. I'm sure that there are many others including myself who would really like to see it at the BBQ. I hope that all goes according to plan.

[pflaming]

I'm going to focus on the mechanical parts and try to get it road worthy. It might not be pretty but I trust it will be at the Q. If the truck isn't ready I'll have to come in my Honda Accord. Is that permissible? 

[HanksB3B]

How about the wheel bearings ? Did the fire cook the grease out of them ? You don't want a dry bearing melting and welding your brake rotor to your spindle then freezing up your wheel at speed. It's one thing see your truck burn another seeing your garage in shambles. It woud be another thig to have one tradgedy follow another. I'm not sure if "Damn the Torpedos Full Speed Ahead" is the approach I'd take, but then I do tend to err on the side of safety. I'd take Tim up on the offer of trailering your truck to the BBQ if you must. You've got a lot on your plate Paul. It's important that you show up Paul not so much your truck.

 

Hank    

Edited February 22, 2014 by HanksB3B

[pflaming]

Hank, I will put the truck on a lift and repack all wheel bearings, needed or not. It's not a big job and is the best insurance. Will at that time check anything that could burn or melt. ANYTHING questionable will be replaced. You are correct, no need to be foolish but I have time so will apply it and see how much I can get done.  Since the paint on the hub caps is not charred, I would guess the bearings are not damaged. 

 

 

 

[Don Coatney]

Look at that jerry can on the right running board! It's Smoked half way up! I'm amazed it did not explode-that is if it did have gas in it.

If you had used one of todays plastic red gas cans....well it would be completely melted and helped quickly fuel the garage fire.

Bob

Good point. I would also assume that the milk in the milk can on the drivers side is now ultra pasteurized. Assuming that milk reached 280 degrees for 2-4 seconds it doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can sit on the running board for up to six months and still be drinkable as long as the can is not opened and the milk exposed to air..

 

[pflaming]

Don, I will NOT open the can ti the Q. The we'll open it and you can do the honors on the first cup. 

[pflaming]

Graph paper proposed floor plan. I can use bays to get wider space. So will put a 12' bay (no windows) on the south side and a matching on one the north side. Now I will have an true 18' wide floor space where my major work bench is. With the rear bumper and the dog house removed, the vehicle placed on dollies, I can rotate the vehicle and place it engine facing the work bench and have 6' between the frame and the bench.

 

I will still have 18' to the garage door so now I can put three cars in there. Honda Accord #1, Truck #2, Suburban #3, Convertible #4, and ___________ got to get back on Craigs List. 

 

I will put in a 14' door to the alley and I have a two car garage. With the north bay by the driver door, I can then easily get out of the car.

 

I will put joists at 7' on the inside end and then make a storage room above for Darlene.

 

I think I will paint the joist white before setting up the building, make for a nice ceiling.  From the floor to the highest point in the cathedral ceiling is 12'.  

 

Suggestions welcomed.

 

Edited February 22, 2014 by pflaming

[Frank Elder]

Hank, I will put the truck on a lift and repack all wheel bearings, needed or not. It's not a big job and is the best insurance. Since the paint on the hub caps is not charred, I would guess the bearings are not damaged. 

 

 

 

 

 Your bearing grease probably liquified somewhat, and isn't going to get the job done right

[pflaming]

"Back to the Future", never read that novel. Whatever, Chaucer interested me and Shakespeare. Well, I've now got control of the shop. Just a little more clean up, then put what needs to be kept into 42" square fruit bins and take them to storage.  Then clean out the office/storage room tomorrow and ready the building for demolition. 

 

I'm starting to receive quotations for such things as trusses, new roof, etc., so next week will probably be spent mostly on the truck. Maybe by Saturday I can take a test run back up to the Big Sequoia Redwood trees!.  

 

On a more pleasant note, Chloe is still receiving cards, thank you so much, it has truly helped. She will come with me to the Q so she can personally thank each of you.

 

Still trying

 

 

 

 

Still no clue to the cause but I'm thinking she might have walked by in the moonlight and the soiled rags burst into flames. . . 

 

 

[HanksB3B]

I'm telling your wife at the BBQ all that Fire Recovery exercise is doing you good.

 

 

 

Hank 

Edited February 23, 2014 by HanksB3B

[pflaming]

Update: I finally made it to the far wall sorting as I went. Now to put the sorted piles into 48" square fruit bins and take to storage. That will take much of tomorrow. Next week I will have a 40' X 8' x 8' trash bin placed into the alley and I have a company who then will come in and take it all down and put it in that bin. Demolishing will cost me $600 and we estimate the bin with the weight of the stucco will approach $800. I can live with that. The Demo company is licensed and the Waste company as well.

 

Will post more as things progress. Found lots of forgotten things / items in the debris because I opened every box and every container. Attached is my 2nd car. The first one was a 37 Ford two door sedan. This Plymouth was my college car. My current wife of 54 years in in the top picture and your's truly in the bottom one. I drove that car from Western NE to Fresno,CA and back. Didn't even tune it up, just filled it up with petro, watched the heat, fuel, and oil gauges and the dip stick. Had no problems.

 

The more I look at the picture the more I'm getting intrested in finding me one of these.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2014 by pflaming

[DJ194950]

Is that shiny paint? No patina.??
Full moon hubcaps, can't leave things stock or bought that way?   

Good luck with getting that new garage up soon and the truck back on the roads!   

Doug

[pflaming]

Update: Tomorrow I will remove everything I have sorted out and the building will be ready for the demolition people. I returned to the city to confirm that I could build on the existing pad and settled that. While I was there, I asked, "Are the walls measured from the floor or from the foundation?" Answer,"From the top of the foundation."  "So the, if I put a two high concrete wall up first, is that defined as a foundation?" Answer, "Yes, it is!", then the Public Works Director laughed and said, "I think you just got your 10' walls!"  

 

One just has to think out of the box a bit and then innocently ask a few questions. WOW, now I'll have room for a lift! Goodbye tired knees!

 

Oh, my family still has our father's last truck, an '84 GMC (cowboy) Caballero with a nice little V8 in it and they gave it to me today. Sorry about that, but a gift is a gift.

 

So. . . probably will pull all electrical wires from the truck tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

[Young Ed]

Update: Tomorrow I will remove everything I have sorted out and the building will be ready for the demolition people. I returned to the city to confirm that I could build on the existing pad and settled that. While I was there, I asked, "Are the walls measured from the floor or from the foundation?" Answer,"From the top of the foundation."  "So the, if I put a two high concrete wall up first, is that defined as a foundation?" Answer, "Yes, it is!", then the Public Works Director laughed and said, "I think you just got your 10' walls!"  

 

One just has to think out of the box a bit and then innocently ask a few questions. WOW, now I'll have room for a lift! Goodbye tired knees!

 

Oh, my family still has our father's last truck, an '84 GMC (cowboy) Caballero with a nice little V8 in it and they gave it to me today. Sorry about that, but a gift is a gift.

 

So. . . probably will pull all electrical wires from the truck tomorrow.

 

Paul great thinking on the walls. Also nothing wrong with a free el camino even if its a GMC wannabe. Post a pic of it! When you say cowboy is that a special model or just your personal term for it?

[TheMoose]

Glad your gonna be able to fit a lift in.

I'm loving mine, $1500 including shipping, hit me up when you start looking.

[Mark Haymond]

Ooh, what are their rules for concrete foundation walls? Are windows allowed? Just thinking as an outside observer. Don't want you to get an unwelcome surprise.