New Indiana law says firefighters must know about building materials

In a matter of weeks, the law surrounding new homes built in Indiana will change. 

One of the changes is meant to keep you and firefighters safe in the event of a house fire. 

The new law states, in part, that when builders file a permit they have to tell the fire department and other first responders if they build homes or apartments with materials including engineered or pressed wood that can burn faster.

Randy Gulley, division chief of code enforcement  for Marion County’s Wayne Township Fire Department, held up a piece of engineered wood. “This won’t char. It’ll burn through. When it burns through, this is where your stability is, it collapses under the weight of a firefighter or several firefighters.”

Gulley said, under normal conditions, nothing is wrong with using engineered lumber in homes. It is lightweight, cheaper, can span longer distances and hold more weight.

The pressed wood is what burns, gets weak and allows firefighters to fall through. “The problem becomes if the structure gets involved in fire, then that becomes the issue,” the division chief said.

State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson said, “We’ve had firefighters actually die entering these types of structures because the floors may be burned out or, once they’re inside, the ceiling or roof systems may collapse on them.” 

Greeson applauded the new law. “This way, we have pre-arrival instructions. We have prenotification. Firefighters will know what to expect and I’m certain it will save lives.”

Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Builders Association, said it is common for builders to use materials like pressed wood, but the organization believes the law strikes a balance. “We were working with firefighters to try to find language that worked for them, but also allowed our builders to build safe and affordable houses across the state.”

State officials said the law is not retroactive. 

The new law takes effect July 1.