PROJECT OVERVIEW
When its original Class A burn building reached the end of its serviceable life, Berks County wanted a larger training structure to simulate downtown urban row houses and commercial/industrial occupancies for career firefighters and surrounding volunteer departments. Prioritizing maximum training opportunities, Berks County built a 17,000 sf Class A burn building complete with exterior obstacles including curb and gutter, sidewalks, power poles with simulated power lines, and a narrow grocer’s alley between the buildings. Now more than 20 years old, this training structure has experienced thousands of training fires and remains in good operating condition.
EL&M Services
Programming | Designed the Class A burn building as Prime Engineer | Periodic structural evaluations of the live fire training structure per NFPA 1400
LOCATION
Reading, PA
17,000 SF
Class A burn building
3-Story
Row house with basement
5-Story
Commercial building
20+ Years
In service & operating
Fire Training Structures
3-story plus basement row house simulating downtown urban row houses
Exterior obstacles including curb & gutter, sidewalks & simulated power lines
Narrow grocer’s alley between buildings for realistic urban training scenarios
