Fire Destroys Kitchen, Steel Structure Unharmed

On July 2, 1996 in the Northern California town of Brentwood, Jim and Betty Bailey weren't home when a fire broke out in their kitchen. The fire destroyed the interior of the kitchen and caused $75,000 worth of damage, but the steel structure of the home remained intact and undamaged.

Analyses on the steel framing members charred by the fire showed them to be consistent with the strength and durability of uncharred framing members within the home. While the cabinets, flooring, and other combustible materials were a total loss, the steel structure was entirely unharmed. "The fire department said that if our home had been a wood frame, we would probably have lost everything," reports Betty. In comparison, "the repairs were minimal."

See also:

Fighting Fire With Steel: Fire Resistance 101 - Steel Framing Alliance (PDF)