Safe FIRST has been a supporter of the safer construction structure in high fire risk areas for over thirty years. It started with code changes, followed by more code change suggestions, without having not changed for many years. With each code cycle there is a constant struggle between manufacturers that pronounce new fire security materials and other manufacturers with current market shares for the status quo.
I was broken with broken heart to observe the devastation of the communities in the recent forest fires in South California. As a lifelong Californian with a career that is devoted to the development of construction products that protect people and property from the terribly destructive and life -threatening effects of these fires, I was particularly broken to observe the tragic damage that was inflicted on the families of these communities. We hope that the focus on the safe reconstruction of these houses will shift with proven fire -proof materials and offer a safer community and thus more insured structures.
Architects, contractors and other experts who are involved in the provision of fire -proof construction work must research the steps and the new fire -proof, secure materials for their designs. This includes taking fire protection into account for your location and the inclusion of secure separation and materials in order to remove the fire spread in adjacent areas. For architects and general entrepreneurs, the understanding and implementation of these more secure material and building options is essential, not only for the protection of individual houses, but also for the protection of the community.
Some obvious recommendations
- Roofing – using metal roof, sound and concrete tiles and rated with fire wooden shingles to prevent embers from laminated the roof structure.
- External walls use of non-combustible materials such as brick, stone, stucco, with fire wood, isolated metal panels and other materials with fire ratings.
- Sprinkler – installed in the entire structure, including the basement, deck (if flammable) and attic. Leave the design a secondary source (e.g. a pond, a swimming pool or an underground tank) for water with automatic change via the over change if your normal source pressure is deactivated.
- Eves installed with fire fire (emberproof) air filters with fire fabrics.
- Doors -use and tested doors and glass door -vision openings for every outdoor use. It is recommended that the glazing for large excursions in these areas is rated for 60 minutes with brand, e.g. B. openings for patos.
- Windows – these require the greatest attention because they are the most likely source for the fire and the spread of the fire. It is well known that glass breaks and falls if they are exposed to temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit that is far below the temperatures that are reached in a running fire that reaches 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. If this lower temperature is reached early in a wild fire, this becomes an invitation that the fire penetrates your house and sources of internal risk such as curtains, furniture and carpets inside. If you summarize with this immediate access to fuel, this can quickly lead to the entire structure being devoured into flames, which leads to a complete destruction.
Susceptibility to bloomed glass and traditional, unvited, spirited glass
Loaned glass is provided for most houses, and this material is the weakest point during a forest fire that is broken in just 1-3 minutes of exposure.
Traditional, not rated, spirited glass breaks and fails at higher temperatures and is insecure and cannot be rated with brand or used for fire protection.
Glass evaluates the advantages of glass with fire
In contrast to drawn and traditional not evaluated, tempered glass ,, Fire evaluation glass is tested, evaluated and designed to withstand these higher temperatures and physical stress through a running fire. This glazing material is used in areas in which fire protection is required for up to 45 minutes or 60 minutes, 90-minute and 2-hour areas in which resistance protection is required.
Forest fires are becoming an increasing threat. With more areas, areas are called Wui zones of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). It is all the more important to evaluate and examine the many new and safer products for construction in these new areas and the stricter requirements for reducing the risk and improvement of protection.
Special losses of reflective glass
This type of glazing, Superlite I-XL, was developed and patented by Safti FIRST In 1980 the first glazing in the United States. This glazing is Safti FIRST'S that are tested inexpensively and listed with fire ratings. Superlite I-XL is used for the fence for fire-prone areas and often used along the California coast for fire protection and real estate separation. Superlite I-XL is a fire protection heat-reflecting glass, which is alleviated with a proprietary patented formula and prescribed edge treatment. These patented processes make it possible to use for most fire protection areas, and their reflective coating offers a partial radiation heat protection.