A new report from scientific consulting and engineering firm Burgoynes has thrown some interesting new light on what causes thatch fires.
Burgoynes investigate 20-30 thatch fires a year. While thatch fires represent a small proportion of building fires as a whole, they note, the losses are disproportionately high because thatched properties are generally of higher than average value and are frequently listed structures, leading to high repair costs. Thatch fires are also difficult to extinguish and tend to be in remote locations, with inadequate water supplies, leading to increased damage.
Burgoynes investigate 20-30 thatch fires a year. While thatch fires represent a small proportion of building fires as a whole, they note, the losses are disproportionately high because thatched properties are generally of higher than average value and are frequently listed structures, leading to high repair costs. Thatch fires are also difficult to extinguish and tend to be in remote locations, with inadequate water supplies, leading to increased damage.
Whilst a few thatch fires are a result of the spread of fire from elsewhere inside or outside the building, the association with chimneys serving solid fuel fireplaces, stoves or ranges has been recognised for some time. Traditionally, it was assumed that the thatch was ignited by embers emitted from the chimney but this assumption was challenged in a 1988 report from RHM Technology,
This highlighted the possibility that heat transfer through the chimney structure into the thatch could cause fires to break out. Although no actual cases of high temperatures in thatch in buildings with chimneys in use were demonstrated in the report, this heat transfer theory has gained widespread acceptance over time amongst those with interests in thatch fires including Fire Brigades and Local Authorities.
This lass led to statements such as that appearing on some fire brigade website warning that “more than 90% of fires in thatched properties are caused by faults in the flue or chimney”...
This highlighted the possibility that heat transfer through the chimney structure into the thatch could cause fires to break out. Although no actual cases of high temperatures in thatch in buildings with chimneys in use were demonstrated in the report, this heat transfer theory has gained widespread acceptance over time amongst those with interests in thatch fires including Fire Brigades and Local Authorities.
This lass led to statements such as that appearing on some fire brigade website warning that “more than 90% of fires in thatched properties are caused by faults in the flue or chimney”...
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