Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The short answer is no. It is simply not possible to fully fireproof a home, even a very modern one. But you aren't here for the short answer, I'm guessing.
While it isn't possible to build a standard home that is completely impermeable to flames, there are several ways that a house can be built to be fire resistant, which is the next best thing. The first way to do this is likely to be the most obvious; use fire resistant materials. Building codes and modern material testing standards use four main terms to describe how well or how poorly a specific material will perform in a fire. These terms are combustible, noncombustible, fire-resistant and ignition-resistant.
Combustible and noncombustible refer to the material itself, whereas fire-resistant and ignition-resistant commonly refer to not just a material, but also how those materials are assembled when the house is built. So while a material may be combustible, how it is assembled with other materials can earn it a good fire rating “by assembly.”
Safety is an important factor to consider when building a home. While a sturdy house can successfully be built using mostly combustible materials, we want our houses to last, and keep us as safe as possible in the event of a fire. Fire resistant materials can save lives, as they slow down the time it takes for a fire to spread and completely engulf a building. The most fire-resistant building materials include concrete, brick and gypsum.
While many homeowners may find “drywall” to be frustrating to repair or install when compared to its stronger alternative, plywood, the use of drywall is hugely beneficial if you want to try and “fire-proof” your home as much as possible. Drywall contains gypsum, which is a non-toxic mineral that is formed by the evaporation of sea water. It is relatively soft, and is commonly used to make fertilizer, plaster and chalk. To make drywall, gypsum paste is squished between two sheets of very thick paper that is usually made from recycled newspaper. Once dry, the gypsum board is cut into panels and used to create wall structures in homes. In the event of a fire, the water crystals in the gypsum evaporate, and a panel can reach constant temperatures of 212 degrees (F) without catching fire. This protects the wooden structures underneath that provides the framework for the house from catching fire immediately.
Not every homeowner has a hands-on approach to how their home is built, but there are still many ways that a homeowner can help make their home as flame-retardant as possible. It is estimated that a fire is reported in the United States once every 23 seconds, and nobody wants to be the homeowner who has to make that call to 911. By making sure their home is as fire-resistant as possible, homeowners can prevent such a devastating loss from impacting their family.
Be mindful of the vegetation around your home. While lush greenery can add to the aesthetic of your property, it also leaves you more susceptible to fires. To prevent the spread of a fire, be sure to trim any dead or dry vegetation away, and do not plant vines or thick shrubs around external outlets, extension cords or electrical switches. Keep all trees and plants trimmed back, away from these areas. Pine needles and dried leaves are extremely flammable, so keep flower beds near homes clear of excess. Some plants that are well-known for being fire resistant, like cherry trees, birch, and poplar. Plants to trim or try to avoid include pine and cedar. Additionally, tall grass in your yard should be trimmed in the dryer months, as it provides an instant path from a lawn fire straight to your home.
Clean out your gutters! An accumulation of dried leaves, twigs and other debris that sit in your gutter system in the dry months of autumn can catch fire extremely quickly. Often, even a stray spark or ember that comes from a nearby fire pit or grill can be carried up to your roof area, and can catch dried plant matter on fire swiftly. Ensure that your gutters are clear, and fire pits, grills and other flame elements are kept far away from the house.
If you live in an area that is prone to frequent wildfires, consider installing dual pane windows, as this will protect them from shattering if exposed to high heat. Likewise, fire doors can also help prevent the spread of a fire throughout a home. Remember that the doors and windows of your home aren't just crucial escape pathways, they are often the last line of defense when a fire has reached your house. Even if they merely slow down a fire, they can provide precious moments that you can use to escape to safety. Invest in fire safety tools to keep around your home. Fire alarms, smoke alarms, and extinguishers can be the difference between a little fire damage, and the loss of an entire home. These tools can alert you to a fire risk in your house, and can give you the opportunity to gain control of the flames before they consume the home. There are many types of eco-friendly, fire retardant chemicals that can be used in or around your home, as well as fire retardant paints that can be used to paint the inside or outside of a building, shed or barn.
When you are leaving your home for an extended period of time, like a vacation, consider turning off the power and gas lines, so that there will be no risk of an electrical or gas fire while you are away. Communicate with trusted neighbors when you plan on being away, so that they know to keep an eye out for any issues while you are away.
It only takes 30 seconds for a single flame to become a roaring inferno in your home. Even what begins as a small fire can overcome an entire household in as little as four minutes. Thats not a lot of time to act, and every single second matters.