Database high-rise fires?

Dietmar · #1 Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 11:43 AM**

Hello,

is there a database about high-rise fires? Which fires in high-rise buildings lead towards changes in fire safety?
Looking forward to any answers.

Dietmar

Austin55 · #2 Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 11:20 PM**

I dont think there is a database that is specific to this, but there are plenty of resources out there. A google search has tons of sites. The most recent big one was the CCTV hotel in Beijing. The Shanghia World Financial center also lit up pretty nice not to long ago. Some of the more famous ones are the Aon Center in LA, the one in Madrid and the Parque Central Torre Este in Caracass.

vid · #3 Posted **Apr 17, 2009, 11:48 PM**

There is also that one in Philadelphia that is now Comcast Tower, iirc.

cwd22 · #4 Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 1:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid

There is also that one in Philadelphia that is now Comcast Tower, iirc.

One Meridian Plaza was actually where Residences at the Ritz now is. Hopefully in a couple of years the other half of the site will be occupied by those Waldorf-Astoria residences.

Austin55 · #5 Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 7:25 AM**

Ostikano tower in Moscow got charred pretty nicely aswell.

PEORIA · #6 Posted **Apr 19, 2009, 3:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dietmar

Hello,

is there a database about high-rise fires? Which fires in high-rise buildings lead towards changes in fire safety?
Looking forward to any answers.

Dietmar

(image from flickr.com)

Most high-rise fire changes occurred after, deadly, infernos during the early 70's & 80's through national enforcement of sprinkler systems, decentralized stairwells, etc. As with most tragedies, it cost scores of preventable fatalities before safety features became mandated.

The following are some of the, most, horrific infernos of note that lead to international fire safety review: The Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta (1946), Daeyongak a.k.a. Taeyokale Hotel In Seoul (1971), Andraus Building In Sao Paulo (1972), the Joelma Building in Sao Paulo (1974), MGM Grand in Las Vegas (1980). You can also find some, archival, * video footage on some of these infernos via YouTube or a Google-type search.

* WARNING: May contain graphic scenes from tragedies that some viewers find disturbing.

dugdogmaster · #7 Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 4:25 PM**

I suggest researching the NFPA standards to try and find this information. I believe they keep their entire database online.

JackStraw · #8 Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 4:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugdogmaster

I suggest researching the NFPA standards to try and find this information. I believe they keep their entire database online.

Yeah, they may have design standards for alarm systems and sprinkler systems for certain types of buildings and occupacy classes. However, I think he is looking for historic fires that helped shape these design standards. Which I highly doubt anybody ever put into document online or anything.

PEORIA · #9 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 1:14 AM**

(image from wikimedia.org)

The following link (below) of the (1946) Winecoff Hotel tragedy in Atlanta contains extensive research, documentaries, interviews, etc. It is, currently, the deadliest hotel fire in U. S. history.THIS, long-vacant, landmark (see above photo) was, recently, renovated and reopened as a boutique hotel.... the Ellis Hotel. Locals claim, however, that it's haunted...

www.winecoffhotelfire.com

PEORIA · #10 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 2:04 AM**

Dare You watch the horrific scenes of a, real-life, " Towering Inferno " ?.... If so, witness the JOELMA building inferno (below) on the following link....

* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XbgbjYkX34

* CAUTION: Video contains graphic scenes and audio of fatalies and injured victims.

Patrick · #11 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 6:15 AM**

^God that was awful.

PEORIA · #12 Posted **Apr 22, 2009, 6:04 AM**

The, former, JOELMA building today as.... Praça da Bandeira

. It's completely renovated AND.... rumored by locals to be haunted with the spirits of some who perished in the inferno.

BVictor1 · #13 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 5:30 PM**

Highrise fires in Chicago

Chicago Fire Department-LaSalle Bank Building Fire

• Video Link

volguus zildrohar · #14 Posted **Apr 27, 2009, 3:36 AM**

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York in 1911 was pretty horrific. 146 garment workers died.

Trantor · #15 Posted **Apr 27, 2009, 3:37 PM**

some say that the Joelma and Andraus disasters were some of the main reasons for the severe height restrictions all over Brazil and our lack of 200+ meter buildings (our tallest was built in the 60s)

speedy1979 · #16 Posted **Apr 29, 2009, 11:11 PM**

Here's a documentary I found.

• Video Link

It explains what happened and why!

PEORIA · #17 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 8:22 PM**

" ABSOLUTELY! "

Trantor · #18 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 10:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy1979

Here's a documentary I found.

• Video Link

It explains what happened and why!

quite the macabre soundtrack...

PEORIA · #19 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 10:34 PM**

The aftermath of the, horrific, 1971 Christmas inferno at the Taeyeongak Hotel (below photos) in which a propane gas explosion and fire killed 167 and injured 64 victims. All the firefighting vehicles in Seoul were called and also the USFK sent help, but ladders couldn't reach higher than the 7th floor of the 21-floor hotel. International news video, at the time, showed desperate occupants jumping from the upper floors holding mattresses in attempts to survive their fall....

(image from webshots.com)

GWHH · #20 Posted **May 14, 2009, 2:38 PM**

Sprinklers should be installed in ALL buildings over 4 stories. It will save more lives and property dmage than any thing else