- Title:
-
What Impact Has the Change in Building Materials and Design in Housing Had on the Cost-damage of Fires?
- Date:
- February 2010
- Organisations
- NZFS
- Authors:
- Ian Page
-
Location:
-
New Zealand,
New Zealand
Overview
Changes in materials and design of housing over the years were examined and tested for the relationship, if any, to fire incidence. The main finding was that the incidence did not change greatly by age of house for most houses constructed last century. However, the severity of fire was slightly greater in pre-1945 houses compared to more recent houses. Also, houses with wood based materials including weatherboard cladding and hardboard/timber sarking linings had more severe fire damage than brick clad and plasterboard houses. Design trends identified since the 1960s include more upper storeys, open plan layouts and attached garages. These features tend to increase the fire risk but are off-set by more fire resistant claddings and linings, and safer electrical wiring and fittings in the younger housing stock. Analysis of the fire service data indicates that failures in fixed equipment (stove, heaters, wiring, switch and light fittings etc) accounts for only about 30% of fires and the rest are due to adverse occupant behaviour (incorrect use of heaters and stoves, cigarettes, lighters, candles etc). This suggests the importance of better understanding how people use houses and the importance of early detection and containing fire spread.
