FIRE
Your safety and that of your family is a key consideration when buying a new home. Basic measures, such as the use of smoke alarms, can be the difference between life and death. The type of construction used in building a home will also have a considerable bearing on how the home will stand up in the event of fire. Brick and block are known to be excellent fireproofing materials and receive class 'O' (incombustible) fire ratings, the highest ratings under the Fire Codes.
Lightweight timber prefabricated homes do not perform as concrete homes in a fire. In fact, timber frames can become fuel in a fire, add to the fire load and the smoke level. In addition, the fire will burn at a higher intensity. Timber frames also form cavities through which smoke and hot gasses (many toxic) can pass.
The facts about concrete's inherent fire resistance are:
Concrete does not burn and does not add to the fire load.
Concrete has high resistance to fire and stops fire spreading.
Concrete is an effective fire shield, providing a safe means of escape for occupants.
Concrete does not produce any smoke ot toxic gases, so helps reduce the risk to occupants.
Concrete does not drip molten particles, which can spread the fire.
Concrete's robustness in fire facilitates firefighting and reduces the risk of structural collapse.
In summary the facts are that in comparison with other common construction materials, concrete easily offers superior performance in all relevant fire safety criteria.
Find out more
- U.K. Firefighter voices cavity wall concerns / Concrete Today, May 2007 Click here
- U.K. Councillor calls for end to high rise timber frame / Concrete, Today May 2007 Click here
- Fire - Airside apartments, Swords, Co. Dublin / Concrete Today, May 2007 Click here
- Timber Frame inferno at Colindale, London / Concrete Today, Dec 2006 Click here
- From the Editor, Time to get serous about fire / Concrete Today, Aug 2006 Click here
- Primetime investigates fire in the home / Concrete Today, Aug 2006 Click here
- Warning on Timber homes as blaze guts terrace / Concrete Today, Aug 2006 Click here
- From the Editor, Eurocode 2, Fire Engineering / Concrete Today, November 2005 Click here
- Arson probe in blaze at 'luxury' timber frame houses / Concrete Today, Nov 2005 Click here
- Timber Frame, Series of house fires in Bray / Concrete Today, Nov 2005 Click here
- Fire and durability performance, insurers and mortgage lenders will limit scope for lightweight prefabrication / Concrete Today Nov 2005 Click here
- Editorial - Changes to part B - fraught with danger / June 2004 Click here
- Fire Alarm, July 2002 Building Magazine U.K / June 2004 Click here
- Fire, Builders under fire (Building Magazine-reprint) / June 2004 Click here
