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Abstract
Chicago has seen what happens when bowstring roofs fail. In 1998, a bowstring roof collapsed during a fire at the Beverly Tire and Auto Center, killing two Chicago firefighters. In 2010, another collapsed at the former Sing Way Laundry, killing two firefighters and injuring 19 others. After the heavy snow of February 2021, several old buildings failed across the city, including buildings with bowstring roofs. They are also infamous in many other states, to the point that some fire departments have historically stopped firefighters from entering a building if it had a bowstring truss roof system.
Chicago has seen what happens when bowstring roofs fail. In 1998, a bowstring roof collapsed during a fire at the Beverly Tire and Auto Center, killing two Chicago firefighters. In 2010, another collapsed at the former Sing Way Laundry, killing two firefighters and injuring 19 others. After the heavy snow of February 2021, several old buildings failed across the city, including buildings with bowstring roofs. They are also infamous in many other states, to the point that some fire departments have historically stopped firefighters from entering a building if it had a bowstring truss roof system.
Date
9/2026
9/2026
Author(s)
Mohit Rathi
Mohit Rathi
Page(s)
34-37
34-37
Source
Structure Magazine
Structure Magazine
Keyword(s)
bowstring; roof; loads; repair
bowstring; roof; loads; repair