Home Fire Prevention is Key in this Exhaustive Research

In this article, we explain the top causes of a house fire and how to reduce the risk or prevent home and roof fires. All About Roofing Contractor has put a lot of time compiling some of the best information on the internet about roof fires.

What Usually Causes a Home Fire?

A house fire is a very unfortunate situation. In no way are we down playing the loss of a loved-one, precious memories and trauma. We just want homeowners to be informed of fire hazards and prevention tips.

  • Leading cause of death in a home fire is from smoking materials
  • Cooking equipment is the leading cause of fire injuries
  • Electrical failures and/or electrical malfunctions are the 1st leading cause of home fires
  • Leaving electrical equipment unattended are the 2nd leading cause of home fires
  • Home fires cost homeowners and insurance companies $1.3 billion in property damage a year
  • 2 out of 5 fires Most home fires involving death a caused by electrical failures or malfunctions during extreme weather
  • Top 5 Home Fire Causes

    FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING

    Broken wiring, including faulty electrical outlets and faulty appliances are the most common causes of house and apartment fires in the U.S.

    Roof fires in luminaires and electrical wiring in the attic are often the culprits. Flickering light bulbs and bulbs that are not switched on can cause burning wires. Burning wires can cause a fire in your home, and they are so dangerous that they often go unnoticed. In some cases, such fires are higher during the month due to the increased use of lights and heaters. Loose electrical connections are the main cause of wire combustion.

    POOR INSULATION

    Fire hazards in the ceiling are not caused by the insulation itself, the way it is installed, or by the way electrical wiring is installed to existing insulation. Investigators have found that roof fires are often caused by material properties of the roof that are not sufficiently insulated, such as ventilation pipes and generators. The heat emanating from these sources deteriorates the roof materials over time and ignites the fire in combination with strong winds. The insulation does not fit near the heat source.

    LEAKY ROOF

    Roof leaks should be repaired as a top priority, believe it or not, as water damage is a potential fire hazard. A leaking roof can lead to a failure of electrical wiring in the ceiling or attic. It can also lead to problems with wire shortening.

    When water seeps through the hinges, junction boxes and insulation can clump together and be exposed to water. The wire is protected by a junction box insulation, but the material is not always safe. Living wires in contact with the water can cause sparks to ignite the material around them.

    BAD ROOFING MATERIAL

    Fire resistant substrates and metal roofs can make your roof fire resistant. Not all roofing materials are the same, and some are more susceptible to fire than others. Roofing materials with this rating are the most resistant to fire. These are roofing materials that have a fire-retardant effect, and if shaken wood is used, it is treated. Metal tiles and sheets can also prevent fires.

    DIRTY CHIMNEYS

    Never use untreated wood as it is easy to bind and flammable. Smoke from a chimney creates a layer of a combustible material called creosote that coats the interior lining of your chimney. If you do not clean your chimneys properly for a long time, it can put your roof at risk. To prevent fires, clean the vents and chimneys of your home and install spark protection grilles to prevent embers from escaping and igniting the creosote.

    Home Fire Causes and Prevention

    An Exhaustive Resource

    Study by: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
    The National Fire Protection Association thanks all the fire departments and state fire authorities who participate in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the annual NFPA fire experience survey. These firefighters are the original sources of the detailed data that make this analysis possible. Their contributions allow us to estimate the size of the fire problem. We are also grateful to the U.S. Fire Administration for its work in developing, coordinating, and maintaining NFIRS.

    For more information about the National Fire Protection Association, visit www.nfpa.org or call 617-770-3000. To learn more about the One-Stop Data Shop go to www.nfpa.org/osds or call
    617-984-7443.

    Top 5 Ways to Reduce the Risk of a Home Fire or Roof Fire

    Reduce the risk of fire damage on your roof Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. It protects you, your family, your belongings, and the rest of the domestic structure. A fire is one of the worst things that can happen to your home and if your roof is damaged or destroyed it is protected from being exposed and destroyed to the elements. There are some precautions you can take to reduce the risks of this type of roof damage.

    Whether you are building a new house or replacing your existing roof, it is important to choose the right materials. There are classes of roofing materials that offer the best fire resistance and unrated materials that are the most resistant. Clay, slate, concrete tiles, fiberglass, and asphalt shingles are all fireproof and an excellent choice to reduce the risk of fire damage.

    REPAIR ROOF LEAKS AND ROOF DAMAGE

    The warning signs that you need roof repair are blinking, damaged shingles, lack of fire propagation and damaged places where gaps and holes are present. Repair a damaged area of your roof, even if it does not provide the same protection as the rest of the roof, regardless of what type of roof material you choose.

    KEEP ROOF CLEAR OF DEBRIS

    Keep debris from gathering on your roof. Remove leaves and small branches as quickly as possible after a storm or wind. When roof debris catches fire, it can burn for long periods of time, causing heat to enter the roof material.

    Clear areas around your home by keeping trees, stacked wood and other combustible waste as far away from the sides of your home as possible. Things that catch fire and flames quickly can make it right through the roof. A clear buffer zone around the house reduces the risk of fires spreading.

    MAKE SURE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS IN GOOD SHAPE

    Problems with electrical wiring can cause fires in the attic and roofs. Make sure you have your wiring checked, especially if you live in an older house and can’t remember you inspected it. If the circuit breaker seems to stumble or the light starts flickering, this could be a sign that something is wrong. If a pipe or luminaire is installed on the roof and does not work, there may be fire damage to the roof.

    INSTALL LIGHTENING RODS

    There is an unlikely risk that lightning could start a fire on your roof. This can be prevented by installing a lightning conductor. An Arrestor is a device made of brass or copper that provides a safe way for electricity to pass through the floor.

    KEEP CHIMNEY CLEAN

    Your chimney should be cleaned at least once a year during the winter heating season. Keep your chimney clean, as burning materials and debris can form layers in your chimneys over time. This can ignite and send sparks up to the roof, so make sure your chimney is cleaned regularly.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you have ever suffered a serious house fire, there is a good chance that you have damaged your roof.

    If your roof has fire damage, you should take care of it. Repairing your roof prevents weather, snow, rain, and animals from invading your home and causing more damage. Follow these tips on how to deal with a fire-damaged roof after the initial fire damage of the roof and remember not to carry out roof repairs yourself unless you have a licensed contractor or an experienced builder with you to teach you.

    If the fire does not reach the roof, the fire brigade must drill holes in the roof to ventilate the hot air, smoke, and gas to get a better overview of what is happening.

    If necessary, you can use a tarp or trampoline cover to try and keep the damaged area from getting soaked in the rain. Another thing to bear in mind is that if you cannot carry out repairs, a contractor or insurance company can be on hand to assess the damage. Wait several hours after the fire has entered the fire-damaged house to see if repairs are needed. Contact your insurance company immediately after a fire. Most companies require this, and it will help you get the repayment process up and running as quickly as possible.

    Be aware that water can lead to further damage and repairs. It can also cause harmful black mold to start growing in the house. Avoid inhaling smoke, soot particles and wet loose debris in damaged areas. Before going inside, be aware that smoke and sparks may indicate that the fire has not been extinguished.

    Before repairs are carried out, it is best to have an All About Roofing Contractor inspector come and inspect the house. The inspector can tell you what damage has been caused and will be able to discuss more expensive repairs. Call an All About Roofer to schedule a free inspection. Many times we work with the insurance companies directly and take care of everything for you.

    You may be able to get recommendations from friends and family nearby who have worked on their roofs in the past if we can not schedule you in. So, you might also get a recommendation from your neighbors.

    You want a company that can solve your roof problems quickly and efficiently. The last thing you want is project delays, price problems or problems with the existing roof, which could lead to costly damage to your home. Look for a provider with a reputation for offering homeowners high-quality roofing services at a fair price. A roofing company should do that.

    Characteristics of Home Fire Victims

    Understanding Fellow Human Beings

    Study by: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
    Children at a young age and older people have the highest risk of death and injury in a home fire.

    Learn about the various risk factors, leading causes and the different variables regarding home fires in America and how we can mitigate home fire risks and what we can learn from home fire victims.

    For more information about the National Fire Protection Association, visit www.nfpa.org or call 617-770-3000. To learn more about the One-Stop Data Shop go to www.nfpa.org/osds or call
    617-984-7443.