Page 13 - Dainfern Precinct Living 6 2021

PRECINCT LIVING

FIRE PROTECTION

FOR THATCH ROOF

STRUCTURES

Last month, we gave you an overview of some of the types of fires

that you may encounter as a home owner. This month, Wynand
Engelbrecht, CEO of Fire Ops SA, shares with us some insight into
owning or living in a thatch-roofed house.

or houses in SA, the thatch a standard (SABS/SANS) or an • To what national standard was
covering is not regulated and Agrèment Certificate (which is a the grass specified for your
there are no standards for very tedious process of proving home?
Fthe types of grass used. This scientifically that both the product • Where will the grass be sourced?
summary aims to remind the home and the fashion in which it is • Was the grass matured before
owner of a number of vital points applied have been proven and it was applied? If YES, to what
when planning (or already owning) a certified for use). SANS 10400 standard? If there was no
thatch roof house. – XA prescribes the thickness of standard, then on what basis
thatch in various climatic zones. were decisions taken?
The Thatchers Association of SA • The chemicals used for spraying • Has it been combed and under
(TASA) does not recognise any of thatch roofs are toxic; was the what standard of supervision?
the so-called fire-retardant products user privy to the MSDS on the • If the thatch is going to be ‘treated
used for thatching for a number of product(s)? using flame retardant products’, to
reasons: • Are you aware that the greatest what standard will this supposedly
• The absence of a standard of percentage of firefighter deaths be done?
application of the products. are a direct consequence of the • Who determined the rate of
• The absence of a standard for the toxic by-products of so-called application and the pressure
training of technicians applying the fire retardants subjected to fire under which this was applied?
products. conditions? • Was the application certified
• Applying an open flame for a few by a SANAS-accredited
moments to a hand-held bunch of When building, consider asking inspection body (or simply by the
reeds proves nothing; the National the architect or contractor these contractor)?
Building Regulations require either questions: • Was Sisalation fitted between the
11
DPL