Non-combustible buildings materials used as fire seperation assemblies slow down fire spread, minimize exposure damage and or stop the spread of fire into adjacent occupancies as designed. But alas, that was an expensive way to build our homes….now with the compromise (my opinion only of course) between building codes and the building industry; it is far cheaper to use combustible very light weight building materials which in some cases will ignite with such propensity as to increase fire spread (like vinyl siding) with such speed that even the compressed response time of emergency services leaves us scrambling to get the incident under control before it consumes not only the orignial occupany but adjacent occupancies as well.

Ok, burn down a couple of them, pay the insurance and rebuild…..well that sure does not sit well with me….why is it in the construction industry we accept that the old way of doing business was antiquated and the next new wiz kid has a better solution to build them faster, less expensive but yet “just as safe”.

I think it is time we go back to the basics in building construction with more non-combustible materials in the appropriate locations. Otherwise, this type of fire and the resulting destruction will continue to plague the fire service….even when proper size-up and the appropriate action plan has been executed.

Great commentary Jim…..

Joel Hendelman,
City of Fairfax Fire Department