The raw materials that go into the construction of a property play a vital role in making it resilient to the ravages of wildfires. Preventive measures while constructing homes, buildings, or commercial establishments go a long way in ensuring the safety of its occupants and those in neighboring areas. In this article, we will look at the best possible options that can guard your property against fire accidents.
Construction materials are categorized into three classes – A, B and C. This classification depends on the material’s level of flammability.
- Class A materials are the ideal choice as they provide the best insulation against fires. They usually tend to resist the onslaught of a fire for around two to four hours.
- Class B materials are midrange options. They provide insulation against fire but to a lesser extent than Class A materials. It usually takes about an hour for them to ignite.
- Class C materials are the least fire resistant. These substances are usually organic in nature and can catch fire quickly in about twenty minutes.
Some materials like aluminum, recycled plastic and rubber conduct heat, despite being non combustible by nature. They need to be supported by additional layers of other materials to achieve a Class ‘A’ rating. As a result, these materials come with a “by assembly” Class A rating.
Foundation
This is the basic component that supports the entire building. More often than not, fires make their way into buildings through the foundation. Hence these structures need to be doubly protected and insulated. Foundations ideally have an additional layer of covering around them known as skirting. This element prevents ground fires from seeping into the building from underneath.
Recommended Materials:
- Gravel
- Concrete
- Cement
- Masonry
- Metal
Roofs
A large part of a building’s roof lies exposed to the outside environment. Its surface can be uneven and its design, irregular. Also, overhanging branches and limbs from nearby trees that have just caught fire can fall on its surface. As a result, roofs need to be constructed with highly resistant materials to counter fire-related vulnerabilities.
Recommended Materials
- Metal
- Concrete
- Tiles (with bird stops)
- Class A shingles
- Slate
- Terracotta (clay)
- Fiberglass
Walls
The longer a property’s walls can hold out a fire, the lesser the damage done. This is because walls are fundamental components that support the internal framework of a building’s structure. Hence, it is imperative that fire resistant materials go into their construction.
Recommended Materials
- Stone
- Brick
- Stucco
- Fiber Cement Panels
- Cement board
Some materials such as vinyl do not burn well. However, they can melt and peel off when subjected to extreme heat, thereby exposing inner layers to the fire.
Windows
Windows are relatively less sturdy and robust when compared to other components such as walls and roofs in a building’s structure. The fewer the number of windows there are, the less vulnerable the building is to potential risks. Shutters provide an additional layer of insulation. Their inclusion can help hold out a fire for an extra ten to 20 minutes. Choose a window material that can firmly stay in place during a fire outbreak.
Recommended Materials
- Thermopane
- Tempered Glass
- Glass Block
- Solid Aluminum
Vegetation
The extent to which any type of vegetation can resist fires varies in degrees and no plant or tree is 100% fire resistant. Trees, shrubs, plants and grass are organic in composition and some species are highly flammable. Hence, the type of vegetation in and around a property largely determines its vulnerability to a fire outbreak. Dead leaves and twigs should be cleared at regular intervals. Plants and grass on the property should be periodically trimmed.
Plant species should be chosen based on the following characteristics:
- Flammability
- Size (the smaller the better)
- Maintenance requirements
- Simple branching pattern
- High moisture content
- Drought resistance
Highly Flammable Trees, Shrubs and Grasses
| Trees | Shrubs | Grass | ||
| Acacia | Pine | Blackberry | Podocarpus | Dry annual grass |
| Arborvitae | Sequoia | Bitterbrush | Rosemary | Large bark mulch |
| Cedar | Spruce | Gall berry | Sagebrush | Pampas grass |
| Cypress | Yew | Hollies | Saw Palmetto | Pine straw |
| Eucalyptus | Juniper | Scotch broom | ||
| Fir | Laurel sumac | Scrub oak | ||
| Hemlock | Manzanita | Wax Myrtle | ||
| Juniper | Oregon grape | Wild lilac | ||
| Yaupon | ||||
Fire Resistant Trees, Shrubs and Grasses
| Trees | Shrubs | Grass | |
| Ash | Azalea | Loripetalum | Blue eyed grass |
| Birch | Barberry | Mahonia | Daylily |
| Cherry | Bottlebrush | Muhlenbergia | Dusty miller |
| Cottonwood | Boxwood | Oleander | Honeysuckle |
| Crab apple | Burning bush | Philodendron | Iris |
| Dogwood | Butterfly bush | Photinia | Lantana |
| Elm | Camelia | Pittosporum | Periwinkle |
| Hickory | Cleyera | Privet | St. Augustine grass |
| Maple | Crape myrtle | Pyracantha | Stonecrop |
| Oak | Eleagnus | Rhododendrom | Trumpet creeper |
| Plum | Forsythia | Rose | Yarrow |
| Redbud | Gardenia | Russian olive | Yellow Jessamine |
| Southern Magnolia | Hydrangea | Spirea | Yellow eyed grass |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Indian Hawthorne | Viburnum | |
| Yellow Poplar | Ligustrum | Weigela | |
| Willow | Liriope | Witch Hazel | |