How quickly can gusset plates fail in trusses during a fire?

Gusset plates, which connect the various members of a truss, can fail relatively quickly during a fire due to their construction materials and the intense heat generated by flames. Steel, often used in gusset plates, loses a significant amount of its strength at elevated temperatures, particularly around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and higher.

In the context of a fire, gusset plates can reach this temperature quickly, potentially within a range of 5 to 15 minutes, but the most critical time frame is often around the lower end of that spectrum. The specific period of 5 minutes indicates that structural integrity can be compromised alarmingly fast, stressing the importance of timely assessment and intervention in fire scenarios.

This rapid failure potential underscores why the role of an Incident Safety Officer is vital in maintaining awareness of structural stability in fire scenarios, prioritizing firefighter safety and implementing appropriate tactical measures.