lupercus_wuff ([info]lupercus_wuff) wrote,
@ 2009-06-30 09:11:00
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Current location:Den
Current mood: amused
Current music:March of Cambreadth

So last week I had my first structure fire. It was really like a 3 ring circus, hoses and gear flying every which way. Do to limited air packs that day I ended up outside. In a way I'm thankful I did this time. I spent at least 5 minutes untangling the spaghetti mess of hoselines.

For the record, I will NEVER own a house with vinyl siding and I strongly recommend none of you do either.


In other news, this lightsaber duel is amusing!
http://i.gizmodo.com/5203753/art-peaks-forever-as-two-chicks-lightsaber-battle-in-their-underwear-without-irony


(5 comments) - (Post a new comment)

"How many of them can we make die?"
[info]firesplace
2009-06-30 05:57 pm UTC (link)
Huh, I've never heard about the fire hazard of vinyl siding - what was it like?

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: "How many of them can we make die?"
[info]lupercus_wuff
2009-06-30 06:15 pm UTC (link)
Oh the song is unrelated. I just think that that song of Heather's is the best war party song ever, still hyped up from the Renn Fair. Under the circumstances of the incident it's very much a faux pas.


Vinyl siding melts at something like 200 degrees, which needless to say is really low. When it heats up it forms a hot air bubble around the structure and allows the fire to extend up to uninvolved parts of the structure with out any resistance.

"Balloon frame construction" functions much the same way. The difference being the balloon type consists of long studs that run from foundation to roof without any cross members so it is one tall narrow hot air pocket.

Seems to me the safest structure's are brick/stone or heavy beam timber construction as the structural components are the most resilient to burning and least likely to collapse.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: "How many of them can we make die?"
[info]firesplace
2009-06-30 06:28 pm UTC (link)
Oh, no worries - totally understand on the song! I just wanted to sing along with it. ;)

Wow, so did you have vinyl siding dripping off the house in this case? That sound like it could cause some absolutely horrific burns. =/

The bubble effect makes perfect sense, and it does sound dangerous. I'm kind of surprised these things pass code, given all that!

Have you seen any cool fire side effects, like the elongated light bulbs that point towards the source of the fire? Read about those in my fire investigation course in college, and always wanted to see one. =3

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]fyrdawg
2009-07-01 02:34 am UTC (link)
Eah... I have vinyl.. and I have been putting the wet stuff on the red stuff for a long time.....and having seen vinyl in action I have no plans on changing my siding. What really surprises me... were the number of homes I saw when I was working wildfires out west that had shake shingle (wooden) roofs in areas with high wildfire danger. Glad you are ok after your first worker and always remember.. CHAOS... (Chief Has Arrived On Scene)...

*snuggs*

Stay Safe

Fyr

p.s.
If you want a really fire resistant siding on a wooden framed home... look at Hardie Plank siding... concrete boards don't burn.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]lupercus_wuff
2009-07-09 05:17 pm UTC (link)
CHAOS indeed, especialy when you have a Batt Chief, Fire Marshall and 3 night captains on scene that are accustomed to being in charge because workers aren't exactly a daily occurrence.

I wouldn't mind building a shake or thatch roof some time. But I'd deffantly build some stand off and permeate it with retardant. I'll have to look into the Hardie Plank, but it probably redundant was my dream home is a bunker. ;)

How's the excitement on your end of the world?

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