There is a lot to think about if you want to protect people from fires. This includes key things like the type of building, materials, contents, and occupants. Beyond that, you also need to consider the wider area. Is there a risk of a fire starting in a neighbouring property and spreading to your building? If you need some help with key things like risk assessments, fire door inspections, alarms, and extinguishers, we can help. We’re a great resource for fire protection in Stokesley and throughout Teesside.
Top down strategy
One of the most important things to do is ensure you think about fire safety from the roof down. The fire resistance of roofing is a huge focus at the moment. The goal is to reduce the chance of fires starting on roofs or spreading via them.
There are two vital things to look at here. Firstly is the roof design. There is a higher risk of fires on flat roofing. Roofs with a steeper pitch have higher resistance, especially to embers blown from fires in an area. Instead of settling on a flat surface, if the roofing has a steep slope, they can hopefully roll harmlessly off the property. Sloping roofs also tend to have less potentially flammable debris on them such as leaves and twigs.
If you do have a steeper sloping roof to provide more fire protection, you need to think about where embers could go. If there are gutters, make sure there isn’t a risk of a fire starting here. Consider the space around the property at ground level too; you don’t want embers from the roof to meet flammable materials and start a fire.
Materials
The most important thing is to use the right roofing materials. It is key for fire protection in Stokesley and every other part of the world.
Metal roofing is one of the best options if you want roof materials with high fire resistance. Crucially, it can resist sustained showers of embers if there are fires nearby. Metals are non-combustible so they won’t fuel a fire. Plus, they have high resistance to fire penetration.
Several other types of roofing materials also have high fire resistance. Slate, although heavy and expensive, is also non-combustible. Likewise, concrete and clay tiles are fantastic.
A number of roofing materials have less fire resistance. Asphalt shingles are a good example. While they are popular, they are combustible. If they come in direct contact with flames, they can ignite. There are concerns about gaps between the shingles too. Generally the roof will require a fire proof underlay for extra protection.
Many flat roof materials are fire resistant and non-combustible. You can also install additional fire proof elements like underlay, stops, and barriers too. Again though it’s important to look carefully at the specific material.
Do you need help with fire protection in Stokesley?
ABC Fire Safety & Security is a competent team with experience in various key areas of fire protection. This includes alarms, fire doors, and extinguishers. Even better, we can do risk assessments of various properties to provide a report on hazards and things to look at. We give clients the best support, ensuring they comply with the law and don’t put lives at risk.
So, speak to us about fire protection in Stokesley or other local areas today. We can give you peace of mind about the condition of a property.
