Fires in Canadian homes take a tragic toll. They account for more than 73 per cent of the total number of fire deaths, 40 per cent of the total number of fires, and 42 per cent of the total dollar loss. The tragic result of residential fires is also a shocking eight deaths each week and many more injuries, not to mention the billion-plus dollars in accumulated losses each year.
I cannot imagine anything more devastating than losing a loved one, a new dream home or one's memories to a fire -- especially when a fire can be prevented.
For the new homeowner there is technology that could ensure a home is secure from the threat of fire.
The buzz on safe fire retardants began a couple of years ago when non-toxic, odourless products, that can prevent fire damage, emerged onto the housing market. Homeowners, insurance providers and homebuilders across North America are starting to pay attention to these fire-retardant products.
No one wants to see their home go up in smoke. Fortunately, ensuring your protection and safety against fire is safe, relatively inexpensive and easily attainable. And if you are considering using a fire retardant product, planning is key.
Mark Harrison, president of No Burn Canada, a business specializing in the creation and supply of fire-retardant products and a firefighter says, "Your home may be at its most venerable during the construction phase. Since wood is the primary component used in the skeleton or framework of construction, having your home treated with a fire retardant product can virtually eliminate any threat of fire during the construction phrase.''
No Burn is also the name of a fire-retardant product that Harrison's company supplies.
"We can already attribute two saves to No Burn; recently a wood structure multi family unit was saved from a fire (in Edmonton),'' says Harrison. "Our technician had, only a few weeks prior, applied the retardant to the framed structure when a string of work lights came into contact with the wooden studs. Had the area not been treated it would have certainly caught fire."
We have two viable options for fire prevention--the first is a ``pre-applied'' fire retardant or fire-retardant, or FRT, lumber and plywood, the second is an ``on-site'' flame retardant application applied at various stages of the construction process. Both are effective, but FRT lumber is often difficult to source.
To protect your framed structure, a certified applicator will arrive on site to spray the protectant onto the framing before electrical is installed. This protectant will last the lifetime of your home provided there is no flooding. During the drywall stage, the applicator will then spray on an additional coat before primer is applied to the new walls. The performance of the retardant will not be compromised provided there are less than four coats of latex paint on the walls.
Finally, prior to you moving into your home the applicator will spray the final coat on carpeting, drapery and upholstered furniture. You should have the fire retardant reapplied to heavy traffic areas every two years but it will not need to be reapplied to drapery unless they have been cleaned. For a 2,500-square-foot home, the total cost of a fire retardant treatment is approximately $5,000.
"When inquiring about fire retardants it is imperative that the flame retardant you choose is ULC (Underwriters Laboratories Canada) listed and classified,'' says Harrison. ``Preferably we want a class A rating but a B rating will suffice, you'll also want a product that is environmentally safe."
Fire retardants not only prevent and slow a fire's progression but they also eliminate up to 80 per cent of the smoke. Smoke is the silent killer that takes lives in a fire situation. Most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation than flames.
"Commercial fire retardant products have been available for many years; the reason that similar products have not been introduced to the residential market was due to their levels of toxicity,'' says Harrison. ``With the introduction of friendly retardants, which are formed from inorganic food grade phosphates, the toxicity and carcinogenetic issues has been eliminated. Now we can confidently make our homes fire-safe environments.''
I highly recommend that you do some research and chat with your builder, renovator and insurance agency about having a fire retardant applied to your new
home or having the contents of your current home sprayed.
For more information or to contact No Burn Canada visit it on-line at http://www.noburncanada.ca or call 1-888-981-6800.
