Grenfell Issue In News Again

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52771270


Good morning all,

SIDEBAR: Today is Memorial Day in US. Condolences to those memorializing lost Veterans.

Yesterday I posted something about the Grenfell fire. It's indirectly in the news today because of planning recommendations in re allowed use of wood in buildings.

Article tells of - "contradictions" - .

Regardless of the scientific guidance of the experts, I'll be avoiding Norway's "plyscraper" buildings - and also the counterparts in North America. Plus, a big icing on the cake, I avoid elevators to the max.

Article has picture of a proposed wood-based football stadium....Not sure if safe w/ or w/o social distancing unless fire extinguishers are kept horizontal and cover every 2 meters of seating space. After 15 to 20 Whitstones, the fans still won't activate the extinguishers causing problems. Problems come after the game whether the wood is laminated or not.

 

The article is quite misleading in the Grenfell was, of course, a concrete building and it was the cladding that spread the fire.

Wooden buildings have always had an associated fire risk, but in modern homes there are so many flammable items (plastics/modern carpets etc) that it is maybe a disproportionate suggestion from our government.

 

Good morning Brownbear,

Appreciate clarifying the Grenfell cause of fire.

So true, although wooden structures can become fuel for fire, more dangerous is the use of candles, storing flammable liquids in house (eg Coleman lantern napha fuel). There were efforts to get carpets and rugs "fireproofed" but recall the retardants caused cancer - at least as reported - and many no longer even buy carpets and rugs.

 

I agree, and there is no foolproof way to fireproof something.

I often wonder of the modern proliferation of electronics has increased the incidence of building fires.

 

Nope. Lithium-Ion battery only explode internally not combust unless the battery is big enough, than it might explode all the out. So nothing to be worry from fire hazard

 

I was not thinking of just batteries, more TVs, PCs etc and phone chargers etc left on without an appliance attached.