The Art of Reading Buildings (ISBN 9781593703424)

The Art of Reading Buildings by Deputy Chief John Mittendorf and Dave Dodson equips firefighters and fire officers with the critical skills needed to understand how building construction influences fire behavior and tactical decisions. This essential text teaches how to “read” a structure before and during a fire—helping responders predict collapse potential, locate concealed fire paths, and select safe and effective operational strategies.

Product Details

• Title: The Art of Reading Buildings
• Authors: Dave Dodson, John Mittendorf
• Publisher: Fire Engineering Books & Videos
• ISBN-13: 9781593703424
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 360 +
• Price: $59.99
• Availability: In Stock | Free shipping on all orders

At BooksGoat, we provide the official The Art of Reading Buildings—a foundational training resource for firefighters and instructors worldwide. Complete our fireground assessment quiz: score 75 % or higher and unlock an extra 5 % discount.

Key Features of This Edition

• Comprehensive Building Analysis: Covers all major construction types—wood-frame, ordinary, non-combustible, heavy timber, and fire-resistive.
• Predictive Fire Behavior: Explains how materials and layouts affect collapse risk and heat travel.
• Visual Training Tool: Includes hundreds of diagrams and photos for on-scene recognition skills.
• Operational Tactics: Translates construction details into safe and effective strategic choices.
• Essential for Fire Officers and Instructors: Used in academy training and incident command courses nationwide.

Table of Contents Highlights

1. Introduction to Reading Buildings
2. Building Construction Types and Fire Behavior
3. Collapse Indicators and Safety Zones
4. Modern Lightweight Construction Challenges
5. Size-Up and Command Decision-Making
6. Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention Tactics
7. Case Studies and Lessons Learned

Who Should Buy This Book?

• Firefighters and first responders seeking to improve size-up skills.
• Fire officers and incident commanders responsible for tactical decisions.
• Fire academy instructors and training officers.
• Students in fire science and public safety programs.

Why Choose BooksGoat?

• Best Price: $59.99 vs higher prices elsewhere
• Free Shipping: On all orders
• Exclusive Quiz Discount: Score 75 % + and save 5 %
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Every order shipped sustainably

FAQs

Is this book for beginners or experienced firefighters?

Both — the book builds from fundamentals to advanced tactical analysis for all skill levels.

Does it include visual examples of construction types?

Yes — over 300 photographs and diagrams illustrate key building features and collapse signals.

Is it used in fire academy training?

Yes — it’s standard reading in many state and national fire officer certification programs.

Who are the authors?

Dave Dodson and Deputy Chief John Mittendorf, veteran fire officers recognized for decades of fireground instruction and leadership.

Final Call – Buy Now

The Art of Reading Buildings is the essential guide for understanding how construction affects fire behavior and tactical operations. Order now from BooksGoat for just $59.99. Free shipping and quiz discount available.