(Photo credit: Scott-Adobe Stock)
If it’s true that “one picture is worth a thousand words,” then a remarkable video must be worth considerably more. As wildfires race across the western United States, from California to the Midwest to Texas, and hurricanes wreak havoc in areas near the Gulf of Mexico, now is a good time to take a moment and watch this brief video below. It takes less than 5 minutes to watch, but the message may stay with you for a lifetime.
What This Means for You — This video was shot during extensive testing by the National Brick Research Center at Clemson University, and it presents stark evidence of the lifesaving and property preservation benefits of brick construction. When drought conditions combine with human errors or downed power lines from storms to cause fires that engulf homes and businesses, it is often too late to save lives and property. If you’re concerned about the increase in damaging wildfires and want to protect that which you love, read on.
As the legal maxim goes, your home is your castle. Unfortunately, if your new home is constructed of highly flammable materials and located in a fire-prone area, those castle walls may be easily breached. In recognition of those potentially tragic outcomes, in some areas of the US, homeowners are unable to purchase home insurance at any price. This is because insurance companies can’t afford to issue policies for homes that are not fire-resistant. If you’re considering building in areas that may be prone to wildfires, have your builder or architect talk to the experts at Acme Brick.
From Paradise to Inferno
The community of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui is widely considered, by visitors and residents, as one of the most idyllic places in the United States. The foliage is spectacular, the beaches are pristine, the ocean water is warm, and the Pacific winds are cool and calm. This place is a paradise. However, about a year ago, wildfires transformed this postcard-perfect spot into a raging inferno. One hundred two people were killed, and the town was destroyed.
This was a wake-up call to the people of the state and the insurance companies that agreed to protect these homes and businesses. According to the New York Times, “The message to homebuilders is stark: Homes in certain parts of the United States must now be constructed with wildfires in mind, or they most likely will not be insured, which would mean they couldn’t be bought with a mortgage.”
Due to an increase in catastrophic storms and fires, insuring homes in some parts of the country has become a “money-losing proposition” for the industry. The newspaper adds, “Across the United States, insurers lost $33 billion in 2023 on personal home and auto insurance, according to AM Best, a ratings agency for the industry.
“In California, where fires have consumed more than roughly 220,000 acres of land in just this year, major insurers like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers have all pulled back. In some areas, they have stopped writing new policies and have canceled some existing policies. This month, State Farm asked California’s insurance regulator to approve a 30 percent rate increase for the owner-occupied home insurance it still provides in the state.”
No matter how dynamic or beautiful the area of the US might be, if fire hazards cannot be addressed, home insurance will likely be prohibitive or non-existent. Homes constructed of Acme Brick are more fire-resistant than synthetic siding and stucco and are capable of withstanding wildfires for longer periods of time. This allows fire professionals more time to respond, stopping the fire from spreading through a densely built neighborhood, and saving property and lives!
Fire Codes — California Is Leading the Way
International commerce experts note that the state of California is the fifth-largest economy in the world, and as such, the state is “more than capable of influencing industries through changes in its public policy. Seeing as the Golden State boasts one of the most comprehensive and stringent fire codes in the nation, it should come as no surprise that the California Fire Code (CFC) has a tangible impact on the construction industry, both along the West Coast and throughout the US at large,” according to a recent article in GBD Magazine.
The publication adds, “Between the state’s susceptibility to earthquakes —which themselves can trigger fires—and an ever-lengthening wildfire season, California has long placed an importance on specifying building materials with a high fire resistance rating. Short of fire prevention strategies, the proliferation of fire-resistant materials throughout a building’s interior and exterior is the single most effective means of slowing the spread of fires and preventing fire damage.
“California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) manages the Building Materials Listing Program which is an online database that includes many materials, like roof coverings, fire resistive wall and ceiling-floor assemblies, wall finish materials, fire and non-fire related hardware, insulating products, fire doors, fire dampers, and electrical appliances and devices. Product manufacturers are required to pass rigorous testing conducted through laboratories accredited by the State Fire Marshal in order for their products to be added to the program.”
As has been noted in a previous article in this space, “Brick is a safer building material than others for a very simple reason. With its main component being clay, brick can withstand heat over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on its composition and purpose. It's classified as a non-combustible material, meaning it can serve to both resist and contain fire.”
The Brick Industry Association adds, “No cladding (exterior) can take the heat like brick! There have been countless stories about fiber-cement and vinyl homes going up in flames so fast that firefighters are put in danger. On average, brick provides 1.5 hours of protection before a fire breaches your home, whereas vinyl and fiber-cement siding won't withstand 30 minutes. Clay brick helps to slow down the spread of the fire, which gives firefighters an extra hour to do their job safely and to save your family, your home, and your possessions.”
Precious Time
Whether it is due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning which result in piles of debris and “live wires” from downed power lines, or human errors such as improperly extinguished campfires in drought-prone areas, wildfires will continue to be a threat to animals, humans and their possessions. Brick construction can provide fire resistance and precious time for professional response.
Acme Brick is committed to on-going testing and product innovation to increase fire resistance for homes and commercial buildings. If you are interested in getting more information on how brick can help wildfires from spreading, talk to an Acme Brick expert.