American Building Standards and Wildfires

[Flyguy330]

3 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Raw wood shingles have been illegal in California for a long time.

 

Ever been to Provincetown? They have wood shingles on every roof, and walls too.

Though I know their firestorm risk is lower I still wonder about their home fire insurance rates.

[Flyguy330]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

A few months before I left for Asia, I bought a vacant lot in a lake community in Texas for $350.  It was listed on EBay, and nobody was bidding.  So it was an impulse buy. 

 

 

You have a very appropriate name then Impulse! 😄

[In Full Agreement]

On 1/11/2025 at 1:33 PM, BritManToo said:

earthquake or volcanic areas of the world.

 

 

So does that mean Japan and areas like it should be left barren?           Take a look at the Ring of Fire on a map.

[bunnydrops]

Being a West Coast builder for many years, I have found it rare to see a house built with wood exteriors for over 20 years. Wood shingle roofs have been outlawed and most if not all siding is done in Hardyboard https://www.jameshardie.com/product-catalog/exterior-siding-products/hardie-plank-lap-siding/select-cedarmill/statement-collection-colors/,

A brush fire can get to 1100C, and concrete has a melting point of around 1500C so it is not going to melt but it surely will take some damage and maybe fail to support upper floors. The real problem with concrete walls is its low insulating properties so something has to be installed on the inside to keep the house warm in the winter and cold in the summer. There in  lies the problem. In a fire the concrete transfers the heat into the interior of the building quickly reaching the flash point of curtains, furniture, paper and plastics. The walls may be standing but the place is gutted. Once the fire starts inside the house you have built a nice enclosed incinerator. It might be cooler outside.

[connda]

43 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

Being a West Coast builder for many years, I have found it rare to see a house built with wood exteriors for over 20 years. Wood shingle roofs have been outlawed and most if not all siding is done in Hardyboard https://www.jameshardie.com/product-catalog/exterior-siding-products/hardie-plank-lap-siding/select-cedarmill/statement-collection-colors/,

A brush fire can get to 1100C, and concrete has a melting point of around 1500C so it is not going to melt but it surely will take some damage and maybe fail to support upper floors. The real problem with concrete walls is its low insulating properties so something has to be installed on the inside to keep the house warm in the winter and cold in the summer. There in  lies the problem. In a fire the concrete transfers the heat into the interior of the building quickly reaching the flash point of curtains, furniture, paper and plastics. The walls may be standing but the place is gutted. Once the fire starts inside the house you have built a nice enclosed incinerator. It might be cooler outside.

Stick build houses burn for sure.  I remember a whole lot of years back when a fire swept through the hills of Oakland and only one house remained: the house owned by an architect who build his house to withstand fire. It can be done.

[bunnydrops]

4 minutes ago, connda said:

Stick build houses burn for sure.  I remember a whole lot of years back when a fire swept through the hills of Oakland and only one house remained: the house owned by an architect who build his house to withstand fire. It can be done.

Yes, keep shrubs and trees around the house to a minimum.