Middlesex County | Burn Building
Designed to mimic a typical two-story storefront in downtown New Brunswick, the 5,000-square foot Burn Building has allowed firefighters throughout NJ to train in a realistic environment.
The building featured training and prop spaces simulating two basements, multiple apartment layouts, warehouses and two storefronts which allowed firefighters to train in hundreds of different scenarios, including descent into a chimney-like situation.
The building featured a fire-resistant concrete mix and refractory concrete lining on walls and ceilings to withstand higher temperatures. While a common burn building can expect to have a life expectancy of approximately ten years, this facility was designed to last 25 to 30 years. Unlike similar types of burn buildings, which are fueled by propane so that fires can be shut down at any time, the Middlesex Burn Building has actual live fires for more realistic and varied scenarios.