[kneath]

Many comments seem to be under the impression that we do not know or do not choose to build fire-resistant buildings.

We do know how. It is required by code. Chapter 7 of the IBC code is the specific section. It was adopted in 2007. Most houses in America pre-date 2007 construction. If only comments on the internet had the power to retrofit millions of structures across the country, we'd be set.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018/chapter-7-fire-and...

[giantg2]

If I remember correctly, those protections are tailored mostly to interior fires. I believe there are additonal recommendations (not required in code) for homes in fire prone areas.

Edit: when I say not in code, I mean not in the IBC. I think CA has their own code for fire prone areas. I'm not sure if that code only applies to rural areas or not. One would hope that it applies universally and the rebuilding will be done with the fire hardening methods. Insurance might influence reconstruction too.

[kneath]

Chapter 7 addresses both interior and exterior fires. Exterior fires are a danger to buildings everywhere (see: Great Chicago Fire).

[giantg2]

Yeah, but the external shit is basically "if it's wood, is it treated with fire retardant". It's not like vinyl siding is great for fires.

[kneath]

Not going to enter into anymore baiting, but no — that is not at all the extent of Chapter 7's protections against external fire.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018/chapter-7-fire-and...

[SkyPuncher]

I don't think the other commenting is baiting.

My understanding is building code primarily focuses on (1) primarily keeping occupants safe long enough to get out of the house (e.g. material must have a minimum fire resistance duration) (2) keeping emergency responders safe when entering a house fire (e.g. stair hand rails cannot be open to avoid snagging fire fighter clothes or hoses). Once these two tasks are done, the code doesn't really care if the house burns to the ground.

Further, these codes are often the reference base used nationally. They're a reasonably safe base, but different location may add more requirements.

The Wildland Codes are specifically for wildfires, which burn longer and more intensely.

[giantg2]

Not baiting. You can compare chapter 7 to the CA wildlands code and see the dramatic difference in fire prevention. As others have pointed out, the newer construction made under the code you are referencing are still burning to ground.

[throwup238]

Plenty of newer buildings in Altadena also burned just as easily. One of the high end assisted living facilities that was built in the last five years is almost completely gone and they could afford a lot more fire mitigation than the individual home owners.

[idle_zealot]

Surely the problem here is one of policy and political will. In terms of cost I can't imagine that the damage done by unplanned firestorms leveling cities is less than retrofitting or controlled burns.

[kneath]

It is never really that simple. Here is a thought experiment:

How does the idea of defensible space work if your neighbor's walls are 5 feet from your walls? What happens when an entire neighborhood is that closely spaced? How do you retrofit the space between buildings?

There are dozens of challenges like the above, and a lot of them delve into personal freedoms. Should you be able to choose what trees to plant on your property? Should you be allowed a shed? Should the government use air surveillance to enforce the cleanliness of your backyard?

There's lots we can do, lots we should do, but it is far from a simple path with a singular solution.

[sio8ohPi]

Townhouses with no intervening space would likely be an improvement. Browse Altadena in streetview and you'll see loads of houses with vegetation -- tinder -- stacked between them. Getting rid of those intervening spaces entirely would reduce the surface area exposed to embers while simultaneously depriving homeowners the temptation to store fuel in unwise places.

[BlueTemplar]

Didn't that vegetation actually end up less flammable than the houses ? (Or was that just cherry picking by journalists ?)

[idle_zealot]

It totally depends on the type of vegetation. Some species, at least while alive, retain water and resist burning, acting as natural fire stops. Other species, including many imported to the area for aesthetic purposes, act as dry tinder.

[ajuc]

Legislating the lessons most medieval cities learnt in dark ages only in 2007 is still wild.