Thatched Roof Fire Hazard

Thatch fires what most people think with the thought of a thatched property is the fire risk.

Thatched roof fire hazard.

However a fire is no more likely to start in a thatched property than a regular property it is because of the materials used to thatch a roof means a fire will spread quickly and the damage done is greater and costly. Specialist fire retardant sprays for thatch these are sprayed on the outside of the completed thatch give protection from embers and sparks from chimney bonfire fireworks and chinese lanterns. Statistically homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs however if they do the results are often rapid and spectacular. Chimney fires are high risk for properties with a thatched roof but for all wood burning stove users there are common sense preventative actions that can be taken.

The risk of thatch fires in old and new properties can be greatly reduced by taking sensible precautions and utilising new specialist products as part of a way forward. It seems worse mainly because thatched fires in unprotected properties usually causes severe damage and therefore receives maximum publicity. Stray sparks from the chimneys discarded. Some main causes of fire in thatch are.

Insurance premiums on thatched houses are higher than average in part because of the perception that thatched roofs are a fire hazard but also because a thatch fire can cause extensive smoke damage and a thatched roof is more expensive to replace than a standard tiled or slate roof. Once a fire has taken hold in a thatched roof it will spread rapidly. Thatch safe is the only fire barrier which has been especially developed for thatch which also meets both fire retardant and insulation requirements in a single product. Chimneys modern multi fuel stoves fitted into old fire places and inglenooks can compromise chimney safety and cause a fire in the thatch.