| Remember the old days, when homes were sturdy | | | | Fire-resistant landscaping methods were also |
| and built to last, and set on generous plots | | | | implemented such as perimeter clearing of |
| of land? Today's homes have evolved to cookie | | | | trees and brush. The reduction in loss of |
| cutter houses built so close together you can | | | | homes due to exposure fires more than |
| barely fit a lawnmower between them. These | | | | justified the changes in regulations. |
| semi-townhouses come with very little | | | | |
| maintenance since their yards barely extend | | | | When shopping for a home located in close |
| beyond the main structure. They do, however, | | | | proximity to another, here are a few rules to |
| come with unsuspecting risks. | | | | keep in mind: |
| | | | |
| Due to their close proximity to neighboring | | | | Be aware of the local code. Your local |
| houses they might as well be town houses, but | | | | planning department should have a copy of the |
| they aren't built with the same fire-safety | | | | building code; section R302 describes the |
| regulations. Some are less than six feet | | | | requirements for separations between dwelling |
| apart, but at three stories high, a fireman | | | | units. |
| wouldn't be able to lean a ladder far enough | | | | |
| back to reach the second level. Climbing up | | | | Face solid walls to your neighbors. Walls |
| the ladder with necessary breathing gear or | | | | facing a neighboring home should be made of |
| carrying someone down the ladder is next to | | | | fire-resistant materials such as brick or |
| impossible. | | | | stone and should not contain windows. An |
| | | | extra interior layer of fire-resistant |
| A home ignited from a neighboring fire is | | | | material under siding can help slow the |
| known as an exposure fire. In 1993, in | | | | spread of fire. |
| Loudoun County, VA, three new homes with six | | | | |
| foot separations all caught fire before the | | | | Hire an inspector for a thorough check before |
| firefighters could get there. In another | | | | buying a home situated close to another. When |
| instance, a house caught on fire and melted | | | | you're screening candidates, test their |
| the siding of the neighboring house 10-15 | | | | knowledge of exposure fires. |
| feet away. | | | | |
| | | | Is the roof made of straw, sticks or brick? |
| Experiments were done in 2004 to determine | | | | Wood shake and shingles are a combustible |
| the length of time it would take for a fire | | | | building material. Look for Class A composite |
| to spread between two exterior walls six feet | | | | shingles that are rated for fire resistance. |
| apart. This is typical for many new | | | | Other resistant materials include slate, |
| developments where homes are required to have | | | | terra cotta and metal. |
| only a three foot setback from the property | | | | |
| line. | | | | If you're already living in a home located |
| | | | close to your neighbor, increase your safety |
| After igniting the first wall, it took 3 | | | | by following these tips: |
| minutes and 42 seconds for the flames to | | | | |
| break a window. After another 80 seconds, the | | | | Remove combustible items. Anything sitting |
| adjacent wall had ignited. | | | | between the two homes that can easily catch |
| | | | fire should be removed. This may include lawn |
| In a second experiment, an extra barrier of | | | | mowers, gas cans, rags, trash cans, firewood, |
| Sheetrock was placed under the siding of each | | | | sheds or yard equipment. Try to clear a |
| building, and in this case, the neighboring | | | | minimum 7-8 space between homes. |
| house failed to ignite. This learning could | | | | |
| be applied when revising building codes, but | | | | Practice fire resistant landscaping methods. |
| in the US there is no single national | | | | This involves getting rid of dead, dry |
| building code; every jurisdiction has their | | | | plants, weeds, and replacing dry mulches with |
| own version, and apparently some have none at | | | | gravel or crushed rock. In April 2007 alone, |
| all. | | | | 18 fires started in dry garden mulch in |
| | | | Loudoun County, VA. |
| In Southern California, an area plagued by | | | | |
| wildfires, the building codes were tightened | | | | Organize your neighbors. Help your community |
| up to include fire-resistant building | | | | understand the risks from exposure fires and |
| materials, in-home sprinklers and increased | | | | how to prevent them. |
| water flow for fire suppression. | | | | |