“Elevated Fire Weather Conditions Across Northern WI on Friday
| What to Know: Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are expected Friday due to the lack rain, warm temperatures, and low humidity levels.
Where: Northern Wisconsin” |
– a screen capture from Weather.gov on June 28, 2023
We’ve all seen this in the news, and some of us have experienced the effects of an uptick in ravaging wildfires. While all American Metal Roofs are fire-resistant, we want to touch on several steps you can take to prepare for emergencies.
First, preparation doesn’t have to be expensive or extreme. Simple steps can make a big difference, and simply having a plan is a good start. We enlisted a seasoned expert for his take on fire safety and prevention in your home.
Derek Gruchy is a 20-year veteran of the fire industry and a professor at Seneca College of Fire Protection Engineering Technology with a master’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering. He’s also an internationally certified Fire Inspector, Fire Service Instructor, and Fire and Life Safety Educator.
Here’s what Derek Gruchy wants you to know about your home and fire safety:
“Lethal fires take place at home.
Most deaths occurring from fire happen at a residential property. One of the big reasons is that we don’t have sprinklers in those places.
Modern materials deal with fire differently.
Fire is a lot worse with the building materials used today. Old cabinets were solid oak or solid pine. Now, they’re sawdust held together with glue and laminated with something that looks like a nice wood. Maybe it’s even plastic. When that ignites, the fire runs rampant.
How do cathedral ceilings deal with fire and smoke?
It depends on where the cathedral ceiling goes. If a mezzanine or a balcony goes up and you can see the upper story, that’s more dangerous because now the smoke can spread easier to a place where the fire isn’t. But if you have 12-foot, 15-foot ceilings, that’s safer because you’re allowing more time for the smoke to collect up there before it gets to that dangerous face level.
How do people behave in the event of a fire?
We think people are so unpredictable, but that’s in typical life. As soon as we get into an emergency situation, everyone becomes hyper-focused, and we can actually predict behavior well.
If I’m at home, you can almost guarantee that I’m going to try and fight that fire because I care about this place and don’t want to lose everything in this home. The person over at my house repairing something and there’s a fire, they’re more likely to say, Oh, that’s too bad. I’ll call 911, and they’re out the door, right? So the location, the environment, and what’s happening around us completely changes.“
Now that you’ve heard from an expert take action and implement these tips:
- While simple, keeping your smoke detector batteries replenished may save your life.
- The first few minutes of a fire are a crucial time to leave. Evacuate immediately, don’t waste time trying to pack up valuables.
How does an American Metal Roof offer fire protection?
- An American Metal Roof is fire resistant to burning embers from nearby fires that may land on your roof. Typical petroleum-based asphalt roofs and wooden shakes encourage flying embers to become flames.
- In the event of an interior fire, the low weight of our aluminum roofing with interlocking panels and concealed fastening significantly reduces the risk of the roof caving in.
- Learn more about how asphalt shingles fail at protecting your home from all climate-related threats.
When you’re ready for your next roof, consider fire prevention. And please, contact our knowledgeable customer service team for answers to your questions about protecting your home from nature’s damage while maximizing your investment. We’re here to help homeowners and promise a friendly conversation without pressure or obligation. Connect with our metal roofing professionals today.