Re:Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain Why
by cbg0 on Friday January 17, 2025 @08:41AM
(#42737409)
> TIL about Class A wood. It is as fire resistant as concrete, apparently.
Being in the same category of a rating system does not mean it truly is as fire resistant as concrete. In Europe it would most likely not be classified as A1:
> An A1-Rated material is defined as a material that does not contribute to fire at any stage, including a fully developed fire.
The rating from the US is a bit more vague on the class A wood:
> Class A is the most desirable category for fire-rated plywood as it indicates a flame spread index of 25 or less.
"or less" isn't zero.
Re:Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain Why
by jvanderbot on Friday January 17, 2025 @09:17AM
(#42737716)
A fair point - but several factors, focusing largely on roof design, were highlighted in the article. Taken as a whole, it makes the case that concrete is not a strict requirement.
That's all I'm trying to say.
TIL about Class A wood. It is as fire resistant as concrete, apparently.
The biggest predictor about what burned: Age
> The architect says that he’s done hundreds of renovations in Southern California to make houses fire-resistant. Driving along a stretch of beach in Malibu this week, Dawson says that he counted five houses left standing; three were his projects. “I haven’t had any house burn that’s been brought up to the latest standard.”
> The orientation and exterior materials, including a metal roof and metal eaves, prevented a fire from sparking inside the roof, which is the way most homes burn down.
We know where fires come from, and under what conditions they spread rapidly in LA - because the santa ana winds blow generally the same direction. You can design neighborhoods and houses to survive that.
We also built right up into the hills, surrounding them with natural vegetation. Pretty, but basically a tinder box.