BY FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN,SFPE (FELLOW)
EDITOR'S NOTE: For further reference, consult Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition (BCFS3). Page numbers, where applicable, are included after the caption.
A balloon frame was invented to enable unskilled workers to erect a building, replacing the skilled craftsmen who built heavy-post, sand-frame buildings. Heavy timber proponents called them "balloon," alleging they would blow away in a wind. As seen here, balloon frame provides one big interconnected void from the basement to the attic with crossovers through the floor voids. (BCFS3, 96-100)
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