Joe Pronesti

3 weeks ago | fireengineering.com | Joe Pronesti |Chris Tobin |Alexis Shady

Let’s examine some items firefighters need to consider when working in the rear or sides of a Main Street building alleyway. Alleys behind legacy areas were designed for the location of utilities, delivery of goods and stock, and sanitation pick-up (garbage). Most of these alleys are very narrow compared to the front street.

1 month ago | fireengineering.com | Joe Pronesti |Chris Tobin |Alexis Shady

They “pop up” nearly overnight, both as new construction and refurbished “Main Street” occupancies. When they burn—and they do—they can be a challenge due to their stock. This month’s memo highlights what are commonly termed “Dollar Stores,” a ubiquitous presence in communities across the U.S.A fire’s effects in one of these occupancies depends on its construction.

2 months ago | fireengineering.com | Joe Pronesti |Chris Tobin |Alexis Shady

Common before modern refrigeration and the advent of the supermarket, legacy cold storage warehouses, built before 1930, still sparsely dot the American landscape today. It’s almost impossible to tell their construction features from the outside; most resemble a heavy timber mill type building, three to five stories tall. There’s one noticeable difference, however: the lack of windows or openings on upper floors.