What is a pancake collapse?

A pancake collapse refers to a specific type of structural failure where opposing exterior walls give way, resulting in the roof and floors collapsing directly onto each other in a manner resembling a stack of pancakes. This phenomenon is often seen in buildings where the floor construction is insufficient to support the weight of the floors above during a fire or structural failure. The term vividly illustrates the manner in which the floors fall flat and stack upon one another, leading to a very dangerous scenario for anyone inside the building, as it can happen very suddenly and without much warning.

Understanding this type of collapse is crucial for firefighters and emergency responders, as it helps to inform their tactics and safety protocols during structure fires, where the risk of this kind of collapse may be increased due to fire damage weakening structural integrity.