Fire Chief Blame’s Wood Decks as Cause of Fires Getting Into The Home , Advises Getting Rid of Them
WildFire and WUI experts such as Stephen Quarles of UC Berkeley, Jack Cohen of University of Montana and many others agree, attached wood decks are a danger to homes that are otherwise fire hardened. Stucco homes with tile roofs have burned in nearly every wildfire when ember showers from the fire being whipped by wind land on the deck ahead of the fire actually reaching the home. The wood deck ignites, items on the deck and under it ignite, and can then climb the walls into the attic area.
This video discusses fire hardened homes and why they still burn-often from wood decks igniting and entering the house.
Well we have the perfect alternative to the problem with wood decks-Division 7 Pedestrian Traffic Coatings. Our manufacturer’s listed here all have at a minimum a Class A fire rating as a roof covering. Meaning they resist ember storms wood decks can’t.
Not only do they resist ember storms, but our deck systems also waterproof space below and provide an easy to maintain surface that needs an occasional cleaning and resealing.
Dex-O-Tex published a case study a few years back on a home with Class A Dex-O-Tex Weather wear on the decks. The home, in Glendale CA, was subjected to a wildfire along with it’s neighboring homes. After the fire burned through, the only home left standing was this one. Read the case study here Dexotex case study fire resistant house
With deck season in full swing, now is the time to consider building your next deck with unique, beautiful, waterproof and fire retardant deck systems from DeckExpert.com manufacturer’s.
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hardening your home against fire