Lightweight Wood Roof Trusses Pose Hazard For Firefighters

Cincinatti Inquirer ^ | July 18, 2004 | Tom McKee

[snopercod]

New houses are being built with more lighter materials these days.

However, some fear this is putting firefighters at risk.

At issue are lightweight wooden trusses that support the roof.

They're engineered to make housing more affordable, but many firefighters have a saying -- "Don't trust a truss."

It's a firefighters worst nightmare. Falling through the roof of a blazing building.

For Rob Penny, he remembers clearly when it happened to him nine years ago in a Montgomery home.

"I had no idea how far I was falling, but I knew it was going to hurt when I landed," said Penny, who serves as an assistant chief at the Sycamore Township Fire Department.

In Phoenix, Arizona -- which has seen a major housing boom in the past decade -- cameras captured firefighter Jeff Griffin disappearing from sight.

"As being a firefighter," said Griffin, "that's probably your worst fear, is to fall through a roof."

Both incidents happened at homes constructed with wood truss roof systems.

They've been in use for over 50-years.

In fact, 60-percent of new single, family homes are now built with them.

Builders love them.

They say they're lighter, less expensive and easier to install.

The Wood Truss Council of America stands behind them. The industry organization claims light wood trusses are absolutely safe.

Many firefighters have a different opinion though.

Fire departments from both sides of the Ohio River say they're dangerous for firefighters.

Wood truss manufacturing is a $10 billion industry.

Whitewater Building Products in Whitewater Township in Hamilton County makes thousands of trusses per day.

Gusset plates are lightly tacked down, then two giant rollers twice press metal teeth into the wood.

It's those wood/metal connections that concern firefighters.

"Anytime we have an involved fire, if we're there five or ten minutes, there's a good possibility that that roof structure is going to come down," said Chief William Martin of the Hebron Fire Protection District in Boone County.

Sycamore Township Fire Chief B. J. Jetter showed 9News what happens when a truss section meets heavy fire for about 15-minutes.

Unlike nails, the teeth of gusset plates only penetrate a half-inch into the wood.

So, when fire consumes the wood, the joint can come apart -- imagine if it were holding up a roof.

"What happens is the gusset plate will roll. It will break apart. It will blow apart. nd it will cause the truss to actually break," said Jetter. "Therefore, the supported load that's above it will actually come down and cause a collapse."

Noted firefighter author Vincent Dunn says one firefighter dies each year fighting a fire in a building with lightweight truss construction.

"Any time there's a firefighter death it's highly emotional," said Kirk Grundahl, of the Wood Truss Council of America. "And so, you get into that situation and you're going to focus on the materials of construction."

Truss makers believe there's bad information circulating about their product.

"We don't want any firefighters to die in a truss structure,"said Grundahl. "That's not good PR. We're not going to want to see that happen to anyone."

So, wood truss makers are heavily into firefighter education.

"Firefighters are now much more aware when they arrive on a scene -- looking at their surroundings," said Sycamore Township Fire Chief Jetter, "looking at the building, trying to read the building to see what's going to happen in the next five to 10 to 15 minutes."

Dan Dressman is the executive director of the Northern Kentucky Home Builders Association.

Dressman says building codes can be changed, but consumers foot the bill.

"You could have steel-framed houses," said Dressman. "I mean, there's all kinds of things you could do so they would never fall down in a hurricane or a fire or anything else."

"But, it all adds to the cost," said Dressman.

Ask firefighter Rob Penny about cost versus firefighter safety, and all he has to do is flashback to 1995.

"I fell flat on the floor, but with turnout gear and an air pack on it rattled me," recalled Penny. "It took my breath away for a few minutes and it got my attention."

Penny and Phoenix firefighter Griffin hope they now have the attention of firefighters and builders nationwide.

So where do both sides stand now?

The June issue of Fire/Rescue Magazine talks about a "Truss Truce."

Wood truss makers and the U.S. Fire Administration are conducting tests to set standards for how an entire building burns.

The goal? To make both buildings safer and to protect firefighters.

[snopercod]

I design houses for a living these days, and have never heard a customer or an architect ask about fire safety.

Sorry, but most Americans spend more time picking out a a video at Blockbuster than they do thinking about the design of their dream home.

[TalBlack]

"We don't want any firefighters to die in a truss structure,"said Grundahl. "That's not good PR. We're not going to want to see that happen to anyone."


Yeah, being bad PR and all......

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

The trusses in our remodeled house are about 100 years old. They were made out of old growth maple and are hard as concrete. As a result, they would take a LONG time to burn in the event of a fire.

[snopercod]

I don't think you have to worry. Firefighters mostly stand and watch houses burn these days, then hose down the embers.

[snopercod]

Heavy timber trusses?

[Ken522]

The only way to solve this urgent problem is to have governments promulgate regulations which will require wooden roofs to support a 300-lb man even when the structure is on fire ... flame away!

[ExSES]

Sorry, but most Americans spend more time picking out a a video at Blockbuster than they do thinking about the design of their dream home.

Absolutely true!

1. How many dollars/square foot?

2. How low is the down payment?

3. What are the monthly payments?

Sturdy, energy-efficient construction... WHO CARES!!!

I live in Central Florida and continue to be amazed at shoddy construction and wasteful energy effciency throughout new homes EVEN IN THE $500K+++ RANGE!!!

[Pearls Before Swine]

Sorry, but most Americans spend more time picking out a a video at Blockbuster than they do thinking about the design of their dream home.

The problem seems to be only partly the truss; it seems more a matter of shallow fastening of the truss pieces.

It seems obvious that thinner sticks will burn and lose strength faster than big beams; however, if they are only press-fastened to a depth of 1/2", then it isn't even close.

Architects and civil engineers are pretty smart, but they need to be given design parameters. Perhaps there should be a percentage strength spec for the truss with the outer half-inch of surface scraped or burned away.

[sinkspur]

I design houses for a living these days, and have never heard a customer or an architect ask about fire safety.

Why should they? Most homes never burn.

Are we now supposed to design homes on the basis of every conceiveable contingency?

This article is just a bunch of fluff.

[Gigantor]

"I don't think you have to worry. Firefighters mostly stand and watch houses burn these days, then hose down the embers."

Don't forget not lifting a finger to save a dog trapped behind a glass patio door - and having the owner arrested for saving his beloved pooch.

[NonValueAdded]

How much cost would be added by a better fastening system on the prefab trusses? Not so much as to materially change the cost of the home. It doesn't sound like the current construction methods would pass hurricane code either. Time for the firefighters to talk with the building inspectors.

[Lorianne]

Absolutely true.
The maximum square footage for the cost is the ONLY criteria most new home buyers/builders consider.

Why should homeowner's care when the government subsidizes the insurance industry which in turn subsidizes shoddy construction and unwise building practices (like building flimsy houses in hurricane zones).

People used to build the sturdiest most energy efficient houses they could, when THEY were responsible for the consequences of defects in design.

[Lorianne]

Not necessarily. Depending on the region, houses should be designed for the risks: fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, shore erosion, mudslide/rockslide etc.

The problem is that houses are built to pretty much the same standards regardless of the local risks (such as slab on grade homes in flood-prone areas, and flimsy construction in hurricane zones).

There should be regional construction standards (such as non-flamible roofing in dry fire-prone aresa) instead of a uniform building code for all areas.

[DainBramage]

snopercod I don't think you have to worry. Firefighters mostly stand and watch houses burn these days, then hose down the embers.

gigantor Don't forget not lifting a finger to save a dog trapped

I know designing houses is really really dangerous but I would love for you to go into a burning building just one time. BTW when was the last time you actually were at a burning building, and how often have you ever in your pathetic lives done anything remotely risky to your own personal health to help someone?

[tbird1]

You tell 'em Dain. Been there , done that.
tbird1

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Are we now supposed to design homes on the basis of every conceiveable contingency?

You're friendly neighborhood ambulance-chasing trial lawyer says YES!

The goal of trial lawyers is to divert all housing money into their pockets, just as all medical money is now going there.

[Siegfried]

True, most homes never burn. And, having built a few homes for profit myself, I can see the big argument that any extra cost gets passed right along to the buyer.

This article has one good point. The teeth on the gussets only grip for a half inch or so into the wood. So, when the outside half inch of wood turns to charcoal, there's no more gripping power and the truss comes apart. If the truss mfrs put long-bolts through the gussets in two or three places the bolts might hold the burning trusses together longer.

But at what cost? Maybe the fire dept needs to stay off of roofs and shoot the water into whatever opening avails itself, instead of walking and dragging hoses over the roof and chopping holes to get at the fire.

Truth is, building a house isn't that expensive, compared to the life of a fireman. Houses can be built in six months, less with a big and experienced crew. The days of hand-crafted houses are over. Firemen shouldn't risk their lives for fairly easily replaceable items.

[hadit2here]

Anytime we have an involved fire, if we're there five or ten minutes, there's a good possibility that that roof structure is going to come down," said Chief William Martin of the Hebron Fire Protection District in Boone County.

Well, gee, ya think maybe you should then plan on that occurance happening and maybe... I dunno... USE ROOF LADDERS, or something, when you're walking on the roof?

Geez, we used to train specifically to use roof ladders to distribute our weight over a larger area, knowing full well that the roof *probably will* give way. What are they teaching these idjits nowdays? I suppose they'd go out in full bunker gear and try to walk upright out on a frozen lake instead of laying down or using ladders to spread out the weight.

Noted firefighter author Vincent Dunn says one firefighter dies each year fighting a fire in a building with lightweight truss construction.

OK, let's do some math and see how much of a minuscule portion of 1 percent of all firefighters that death is- or even of all firefighter deaths. How many firefighters are there in the US, and how many fires. Then how many are actually killed as the result of a light weight truss giving way? And note that he doesn't attibute all one deaths a year to falling through the roof due to light weight trusses giving way, he just states that one death happened fighting a fire in a building with lightweight truss construction.

This is like the gun-grabber propaganda that ignores the fact that only 0.8% of children ages 0-14 are killed by firearms, but that 41% are killed by MV traffic, 14% each by falls and poisonings, and 3% by drowning [some simply in buckets of water!]

In fact, 60-percent of new single, family homes are now built with them.

Well, then it should be pretty safe to assume that firefighters and officers should assume that the roofs/trusses will give way and plan ahead for it. Not to be redundant, but maybe use roof ladders!

[Note to non-firefighters: Roof ladders are typically not necessarily used to "climb" up to a roof (extension ladders are safer for this purpose), but are made to be placed and used to more safely walk on a roof that is in danger of giving way than if you were to walk upright on the roof alone. They have hooks at one end to hook on the ridge of the roof and provide a somewhat stable "platform" to work from.]

So to recap our statistics, 60% of new single family homes are using the light weight trusses, but only one firefighter death per year can be attributed to "fighting a fire in a building with lightweight truss construction."

"You could have steel-framed houses," said Dressman. "I mean, there's all kinds of things you could do so they would never fall down in a hurricane or a fire or anything else." "But, it all adds to the cost," said Dressman.

Ask firefighter Rob Penny about cost versus firefighter safety, and all he has to do is flashback to 1995.

"I fell flat on the floor, but with turnout gear and an air pack on it rattled me," recalled Penny. "It took my breath away for a few minutes and it got my attention."

Maybe if he had been paying attention before he walked on the structure, he wouldn't have had the problem. That's what training and knowledge and experience are for- to keep you safe and alive by taking into consideration all the things that aren't safe and may kill you.

Wood truss manufacturing is a $10 billion industry.

And here we go, the leftist tripe about the big, old, bad profit making company that is out trying to kill the poor firefighters because they don't care about them - only profits. But apparently they aren't really successful at it, as our learned experts point out only one death per year "fighting a fire in a building with lightweight truss construction."

Sycamore Township Fire Chief B. J. Jetter showed 9News what happens when a truss section meets heavy fire for about 15-minutes.

So, when fire consumes the wood, the joint can come apart -- imagine if it were holding up a roof.

Don't have to imagine, all you have to do is drive down the street and see those 60% of buildings with light weight wood trusses successfully holding up those roofs- day in and day out, in snows, heavy rains and winds. They seem to work fine. But they aren't made to hold up a building that is on fire or subjected to "heavy fire"! Jeez, how hard is this to grasp?? Especially by a Fire Chief!

OK, so we should build completely concrete buildings that are totally inflammable, then have only concrete furnishings and all flammable materials should be banned. Like John Stossel is so good at pointing out, Give me a break!

Must have been a slow news day at this piece of fishwrap.

And before you rag on me for not knowing what I'm talking about, I've been everything from firefighter, EMT, Paramedic (yes they're different things) on up to Fire Chief and Fire Commissioner- in several different depts./districts. Yes it's a dangerous profession, but like John Wayne said:

"Life is hard. But it's harder if you are stupid."

Thanks for bringing this leftist, liberal krap to our attention, Snope.

[Cvengr]

If you design houses and are neither an engineer or an architect, then in what state do practice?

With respect to fire codes, yes, most states apply the codes fairly rigorously. Recent construction techniques and additional, not less regulations and county ordinances throughout the US fairly well dictate the design standards.

In the past residential construction wasn't as codified regarding fire codes, except sufficient fire codes to bring a fire main within 350 ft of the structure. Today, in the middle of the desert in California, county inspectors insist on sprinkling houses, which isn't required for residential construction elsewhere. Sprinklers don't save the house,...in fact they destroy the contents and most of the interior walls and structures,...they simply buy a little time for occupants to evacuate.

With respect to residential construction and a roof capable of supporting a fireman,....if the roof is that flimsey, the house is going to be nearly totalled by the fire even if it immediately was extinguished.

IMHO, the article merely complains about arrogant do-gooders who place themselves in harms way, believing the world revolves around them whenever fire occurs, and now with blatent disregard for the homeowners they are supposedly supporting, attempting to regulate the standards to promote their own significance, ignoring the consequential cost of home ownership which would defeat the purpose of the proposed standards in the first place.


In CA, Title 24 is up for a new set of regulations come 2005, including no more than 40% surface area in fenestration (windows) on any west facing wall. (Go tell that to anybody who has saved to invest in a building overlooking the Pacific.

In regards to residential structures, most zones and designers prefer wood over steel for overall structure weight. Title 24 also has limitations on using metal studs extending from outward surface to inner surface. Wood has been favored due to insulation properties and thickened walls. Even though I prefer to design with steel, newer regulations are mandating lumber for stick homes.

Structurally, walls have shifted from rigid columnar structures to reinforced diaphragms where the thick insulation board (in many cases a minimum of 8-10 inches thick in exterior walls) is sheathed in chip board.

There are way too many regulations in construction, to the point that responsible individuals have been regulated out of the decision making processes. The regulations won't prevent more calmity than they promote by their encouragement of nonprofessional practice to the point of making everything off the shelf and nothing custom being allowed.

[Condor51]

"There should be regional construction standards (such as non-flamible roofing in dry fire-prone areas) instead of a uniform building code for all areas."

With all due respect Lorianne, there are 'regional codes'. Every City, Town, Village, etc has their own specific set of building codes.

Yes there is a Uniform Building code, it used to be called BOCA (it has anew name now). However, even if a 'village' follows the basic code, it will still vary and include other code authorities for the different disciplines (trades).

I'm, in the Construction Industry and even within my specialty of HVAC, there are sub and sub-sub-codes that must be adhered to.

So all-in-all, buildings are very extremely safe - even when built to the 'minimum' of code compliance. And you proabaly don't know this but an ordinary wall (1/2" thick drywall) in your house has a U.L. fire rating of one hour. That's plenty of time to get out of a burning house safely.

That being said and addressing the concerns stated in the article -- one solution would be to have fewer 350# firemen climbing onto a roof. Stay away from the donuts guys.

[Lorianne]

Yes I'm aware there are regional codes, however, you often see things that don't make sense, like allowing buildings to be built in low lying flood plains, and in erosion areas (like at the edge of bluffs overlooking the ocean). Also, the hurricane codes (and tornados) often don't apply to certain building materials and construction assemblies and/ enforcement is weak.

The construction and real estate developer industries have a lot of clout, which is why you get flimsy or non-sensical construction in many areas.

[Gigantor]

"BTW when was the last time you actually were at a burning building, and how often have you ever in your pathetic lives done anything remotely risky to your own personal health to help someone?"

Before, during, or after my 7 years as an EMT for an ambulance company?

[DainBramage]

Ohhhh 7 years in a box...very scary......How did you survive?

[HighWheeler]

Excellent rant. It was informative, passionate, logical, and spicy with strong overtones of sarcasm.

Just Excellent.

[Gigantor]

"Ohhhh 7 years in a box...very scary......How did you survive?"

I have no idea what you're talking about, but, it's OK because you don't either...

[DainBramage]

A box...a square ambulance....maybe you did it so long ago it was a batmobile staion wagon I don't know. BTW I'm a paid professional firefighter in a large city. Ive gone into burning buildings, fallen through roofs, been burned, cut gouged, broken bones and nearly crushed over the years. I guess I know some about what firefighters do and don't do.

[DainBramage]

That being said and addressing the concerns stated in the article -- one solution would be to have fewer 350# firemen climbing onto a roof. Stay away from the donuts guys.

Profound! Except that a 200 lbs firemen wearing 75 lbs of wet gear, carring a chain saw or and an axe can easily exceed your donut limitation and still be in better shape than you.

[DainBramage]

Chief, I din't find this article to be about firemen whining about construction inadequacies. In fact it seems like old news or something most started training on in rookie school.

The main point of weakness are the gusset plates that quickly fail in the newer truss roofs, causing collapse in minutes. Yet fire chiefs that write and sell books like to stress positive pressure ventalation and that often times require roof ventalation.

Roof ladders only distribute the weight up and down the pitch of the roof and usually only acros a single truss or two. Not much help for two wet, fully bunked out firemen, with airpack, axe, and chainsaw.

I've never heared any of my guys whine about it or say, "Damn I hate those new light weight truss roofs". Most just do the job and stay as educated and well trained as possible and watch out for each other.

[snopercod]

Thanks for the knowledgable post.

There was a really good article in Fine Homebuilding a few years back which investigated why some houses survived a typical hillside fire in California, and others didn't.

I don't recall all the details, but other than the type of roofing, one of the most important factors was the type of soffit under the eaves. It seems that when the exterior walls caught due to radiation, the flames typically burned right up through plywood or aluminum soffits and got into the roof that way.

The houses with stucco soffits survived.

[snopercod]

...shoddy construction and wasteful energy effciency throughout new homes EVEN IN THE $500K+++ RANGE!!!

Don't get me started. I have worked on $3 million+ homes that were the same.

I think it's probably worse up in that price range, since anyone who builds a house that big has more money than brains anyway. All they care about is that their home is bigger and more ostentatious than their neighbors' homes.

What's the going rate in FL these days? It's $125 per sq. ft. for average construction here in NC and up to $400 for "mansion grade" in Highlands, Cashiers, and Lake Glenville.

[geopyg]

A high school buddy of mine is a firefighter (actually worked his way up from volunteer to paid Chief). He mentioned a long time ago when these wood "I-beam" trusses first came out (in the floors AND roof) that the I-beam shape acts as a chimney and allows the fire to travel along the length of the beam much faster. The glues used in its construction also helped it burn. Seemed to make sense.

[snopercod]

My area of NC has tossed BOCA for this: FEMA Pushing "International" Building Code

[snopercod]

Title 24? Oh, you must be a Californiac.

I used to do Title 24 Compliance for contractors when I lived out there in La-La Land. Reading the handwriting on the wall, I got out in '86.

Where I live now, we didn't even need a building permit until about 15 years ago. Even five years ago, we didn't have to submit plans in order to obtain a permit - just fill out a two page Xeroxed form.

The permit for my 3,000 s.f. home cost $250 and I got it the same day I applied. While you guys are waiting over a year and spending $20,000 for your government-approved building permits out there, eat your heart out.

[ninonitti]

Amen on that. Firefighters are just another unionized demonrat interest group (volunteers FD's excepted).

[snopercod]

...how often have you ever in your pathetic lives done anything remotely risky to your own personal health to help someone?

I suffered a horrible paper cut last week. Does that count?

[DainBramage]

I'm sure it was traumatic. The funny thing is, you can run firemen down all you want, complain about how lousy they are, but when you or your family is hurt or trapped or pinned in a car, they will, without reservation, risk never seeing their families again to help yours.

[Gigantor]

"...and how often have you ever in your pathetic lives done anything remotely risky to your own personal health to help someone?"

Smokey, these are your words - I answered your question - now you're talking out of the back of your head...

[pageonetoo]

It doesn't sound like the current construction methods would pass hurricane code either.

Having been responsible for construction of almost 500 houses in southeastern NC, including on the beaches, I can attest to the strength of these trusses. I think this is another Edwards situation (ambulance chasing).

It pains me to think of dying in a fire. I can think of no worse way, probably, to die. But, ONE person a year may be saved, at the expense of $billions? . I think that most of them can be saved with proper training! You can NEVER take risk out of anything (and pizza delivery guys are much more often injured or killed, in the line of duty).

As for criticizing firefighters. I am glad they are around. As for thinking they are the greatest people on earth... most of them are just junkies, waitng for another adrenalin buzz! The heroics is sometimes incidental... I'd rather hit a bong, thanks, and chill a while!

This is just another con, by someone trying to make a name, or make some $$$

[pageonetoo]

read my 38, and quit whining... we all do 'things', and your 'thing' is just your 'thing'...

[snopercod]

The fact is that by the time firemen get to most fires, they are too involved to do anything but watch.

That's not "running down firemen", it's just the way things are.

[Johnny Gage]

I think you'll enjoy this, based on some of the comments.

As a 12+ yr veteran Paid-oncall FF, I echo your sentiments.

---

FIREMEN DON'T HAVE A CHANCE!!!

When the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic,
People say: "It took them 20 minutes to get here"

When the truck races at 40 mph, it's:
"Look at those reckless fools."

When four men struggle with an eight man ladder:
"They don't even know how to raise a ladder."

When firemen open windows for ventilation to reduce heat in fighting a fire:
"Look at the wrecking crew."

When they open the floor to get at a blaze:
"There goes the axe squad."

If the chief stands back where he can see and direct his men,
people say: "He's afraid to go where he sends his men."

If they lose a building:
"It's a lousy department."

If they make a good "stop" folks say:
"The fire didn't amount to much."

If lots of water is necessary:
"They are doing more damage with water than the flames."

If a fireman gets hurt:
"He was a careless guy."

If a citizen gets hurt:
"It's a crazy department."

If a fireman inspects a citizen's property:
"He's meddling in somebody's business."

If he wants a fire hazard corrected:
"I'll see the mayor."

If he gets killed and leaves a family destitute:
"That's a chance he took when he joined the fire department."

 

    Time Out: 09:26
    KMG-365

[DainBramage]

The fact is that by the time firemen get to most fires, they are too involved to do anything but watch.

Proof you don't have any idea of what your talking about.

[DainBramage]

The heroics is sometimes incidental... I'd rather hit a bong, thanks, and chill a while!

I bet you would. I'm sure others seek and value your opinion as often and as much as I do dummass.

[pageonetoo]

...most of them are just junkies, waitng for another adrenalin buzz! The heroics is sometimes incidental... -from my previous post

Hit a nerve, did I? You may call me a dumass, but I have managed to accumulate a pretty good legacy for my grandchildren!

I am glad you are proud to be a firefighter. What makes you think your shiite doesn't stink. I repeat that you are not nearly in as much danger as a pizza delivery guy, and yet you think you are a hero, by virtue of a hose... and a shiny red (or yellow) truck, with sirens and lights flashing...

Get a real life, and don't bother us with your whining. You get paid well, and get great benefits. If you happen to be stupid enough to get into a situation where you lose your life, it will probably NOT be while rescuing someone (statistics prove that)...

I had the opportunity to be first responder at a wreck on the DC beltway last week. By thi time the cops got there, it was already being cleared... and I never did see any rescue vans show up... fortunately though the girls car was totalled, by an 18 wheeler, she walked away... I got her out of her car (bashed on all four sides), and eventually carried her to western MD to meet her folks (she was traveling to Getysbutg, home, from visiting her Army boyfriend at Bragg). It does not make me a hero, except to her, her folks, and to myself... but I was in more danger than most fire situations, by just being on the side of the DC beltway, fast lane, at rush hour... (and I have fought fires, too)

Be proud of yourself, and be careful, but quit whining for pete's sake! If you do something notable, it will be noted,. Otherwise, you are just another junkie, waiting to hear the call...!

(BTW, I only have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in counseling. I make my living with my mouth. I sell things, legal thigs. I make a very good living! And yes, sometimes I have smoked Pot...! I hope you do as well, in life, as I have {but not many do!})

[snopercod]

You seem determined to turn a fire safety thread into a fireman bashing thread. I wonder why that is...

[snopercod]

Here's a link to that article I mentioned earlier in the thread. Fire-Resistant Details - Studying the houses that survived the 1993 Laguna Beach fire storm yields lessons in building to withstand the heat

[lewislynn]

I design houses for a living these days, and have never heard a customer or an architect ask about fire safety.

Why should they ask? That's what building codes are for.

Anyone who "designs houses for a living these days" should also have their customer's health and safety in mind and know the building codes for the type of structure and it's use.

[lewislynn]

As a result, they would take a LONG time to burn in the event of a fire.

The problem isn't the lumber, it's the connection(s).

[lewislynn]

There should be regional construction standards (such as non-flamible roofing in dry fire-prone aresa) instead of a uniform building code for all areas

Uniform building codes are a minimum standard for health and safety. You, your state, or your local jurisdiction(s) can build to what ever standards you choose to adopt.

BTW, there is no such thing in a building as "fire proof".

[Old Professer]

Why would anyone stand on a burning roof?