Page 14 - Dainfern Precinct Living 6 2021

PRECINCT LIVING

reed layer and the thatch (grass)? now that a single void has been are unique in roof construction;
If yes, to what standard (to what created? does the local fire department
degree) was the reed matured? • The potential for methane have the capacity or know-how to
• To what standard was the thatch accumulation in the void created detach these anchors when the
compacted? between the covering and the roof is on fire?
• Was binding done using wire or thatch is an unknown factor to • Where the thatch roof fire
twine? date, as this practice has only is normally considered by
• Was the lightning conductor and been undertaken for a decade or firefighters to be ‘cold’ due to
the positioning of it done by a so; what can be safely assumed its nature, fires under these
certified electrical design engineer is that when the thatch starts coverings cannot be traced, and
specialising in the design and deteriorating under the cover, they develop into ‘hot fires’ due
positioning for thatch? there will be absolutely no way to the fact they cannot be pin-
• Was there any ‘chicken wire/ the roof (thatch) can be repaired. pointed.
fence’ used in tidying the grass, • In its very nature thatch needs to • Thatch fires are fought from an
and if YES, to what degree will it be brushed/combed on an eight- exterior position; firefighters need
influence lightning strike damage. year cycle (at the most); how will to position themselves on the
this treatment be done if the roof ridge with chain saws. Nowhere
Where corrugated sheet metal or has been covered by another in the world have firefighting
Harvey tiles are post-fitted over roofing product? tactics been developed for the
thatch, the potential for the loss • There is the reasoning that additional layers mentioned here.
of large sections of the roof, if not neither the corrugated sheet • The ‘hot spots’ may be distant
the entire roof, is magnified by a metal nor the Harvey tiles ‘will from where firefighters determine
major margin. There is no known burn’. But to what degree do they to enter the covering; the best
firefighting tactic for attempting rapid contribute to the lightning threat option to date seems to peel
intervention fire extinguishing on potential, and was the conductor entire sections of the covering
these roofs. design engineer approached for down using mechanical winches
re-certification of the lightning (where the terrain and fire
• There is no provision in the NBR conductor? department access allow for it).
(National Building Regulations) • How will the presence of fire
for this combination. in the newly created void be
• Where such is considered by the communicated to the resident?
home owner, they should submit Fitting smoke detectors in the
a rational design to the Building void makes no sense as it will
Control Officer of the city, for not be possible to reach them for
consideration, as the original roof maintenance.
will be compromised. • The 400mm steel spikes driven
• How was the issue of the fire into the roof (and through the
wall between the garages and thatch layer) to anchor the ‘new’
the dwelling rationally overcome, structure to the existing structure

TIPS ON FIRE SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT FOR THATCH

• Ensure you have direct contact and communication with your firefighting contractor.
• Invite these fire crews to familiarise themselves with your property and gain insights from them during
such engagements.
• Keep at least one garden hose connected to a domestic tap for the possibility that it may be required.
• Determine the position of the nearest:
a. Municipal street level fire hydrant.
b. Swimming pool in your immediate vicinity.
• For the sake of potential future insurance claims, ensure these documents are kept in a fire-proof
container (in the garage for instance, away from the thatch dwelling):
a. The lightning conductor:
- Proof of design by an engineer.
- Certificate of the design and installation of the conductor.
b. Proof of membership of the thatching contractor of the Thatchers Association of SA – or a similarly
respectable body.
c. Whatever documentation was delivered by the contractor who applied the ‘fire retardant’.
d. If the thatch has been covered, you’ll need proof that the insurer was informed in writing that the risk
has been altered from a ‘thatch roof’ to some ‘combination roof structure’.
Seek advice from your insurer well ahead of time to ensure there will not be a basis on which the claim will
be refuted later, due to roof construction.
Readers are welcome to contact the author for advice.
Wynand Engelbrecht – CEO, Fire Ops SA
076 453 4589
wynand@fireopssa.co.za

41
12
DPL
DPL
DPL