Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
Why does no one want to talk about low-cost energy-efficient disaster-proof housing? If they're doing it behind my back there's no evidence yet.
Some things are obvious -- zero-overhang roofs and spark arrestors on the vents. Known since 1961
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I still wonder how effective my two $5 sprinkler heads strapped to the roof would have been? It took me about 30min to dig them out, put a ladder up, and ratchet strap them to vent pipes on the roof. It had 100% coverage of the roof, and 95% coverage of the property (very tiny lot).
It doesn't solve the problem of embers being sucked through the soffits, which might be the most common method that ignition takes place (someone correct me if they know). My pathetic soffit vents have bug screens that would prevent any ember larger than a couple mm enter though.
Finally, why do we build with wood anyhow? The rest of the house is already fireproof (fiberglass, drywall, Hardy siding... about the only things that can catch on fire are the wood frame and wood sheathing.
If roof sprinklers would provide good fire prevention, it would be dirt cheap to add to the construction. A PVC pipe at each end of the house extending up beyond the roof height, with impact sprinklers attached, and a standard fitting to attach a hose. Probably $50 in materials.
Sprinklers on roof