1. CHARLESTON SOFA SUPER STORE FIRE
Assignment # 1
CE 808: Structural Fire Engineering
CHARLESTON SOFA SUPER STORE FIRE
June 18, 2007, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Mahmud Dwaikat
Wasim Khaliq
Feb. 12th,2008

2. Outline Introduction The Building Fire Cause and Development
Building Deficiencies
Conclusions

3. Introduction
Fires are either fuel-controlled or ventilation-controlled.
Fires in large floor open spaces are generally fuel-controlled.
Lack of compartmentation in large floor spaces leads to rapid spread of fires.
Fire protection systems are essential to slow down fire growth/failure time.
Fire structural design is essential to prevent collapse.

4. The Building Super Store Sofa: Expansion
42,000 ft² (3,902 m²) single-story steel trussed showroom.
7,000 ft² (1,579 m²) warehouse building behind the retail space.
Expansion
Showroom expanded 1967.
No sprinklers.
Unprotected steel truss.
Warehouse added 1996
No firewall between buildings

5. The Building No firewalls Roll-up doors: Fire resistant materials
Expansion
1967
No firewalls
Main
Showroom
Warehouse
1996
Roll-up doors: Fire resistant materials
Loading Dock

6. Fire Cause & Development
Unprotected steel truss system
Showroom Furniture
Loading Dock
Warehouse
Roll-up doors
Fire resisting materials

7. Fire Cause & Development
Expansion
NO firewall
Main
Showroom
7:10pm
Warehouse
7:15pm
Collapse!!
7:30pm
Loading Dock
7:00pm
Fire contained
7:25pm

8. Fire Cause & Development
Fire spread through trussed roof
7:00pm

9. Building Deficiencies
No sprinklers
Smoke detectors: Inefficient
Huge open spaces, deep roof
Unprotected steel truss system

10. Conclusions 9 firefighters died, millions of US dollars losses
Steel truss systems are unfavorable in fire conditions
Steel structures should be designed against fires.
Firewalls and compartmentation is necessary to contain fire growth.
Fire protection systems are important to slow down fire growth.
Firefighters should be alarmed about structural system of building under fire

11. Thank you!
Questions!!