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.
This beam is made up of planks glued together. The industry calls this "engineered wood"; all wood products that are not simply sawn from a log could be called "engineered wood." The industry brags that this wood only chars un-der fire conditions that would cause a steel beam to fail; it neglects to mention that many, possibly most, of the beams are supported on unprotected steel columns and are often connected with steel ties.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
