Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Should all deck coating systems installed in California be required to be "One Hour Fire Rated"?

Homes built in California today have many ways to resist fire-tile roofs, stucco exteriors, steel railings instead of wood, etc.

With the massive wild fires fires that California is experiencing, shouldn't our deck's be protected with coatings that have "One Hour" Fire ratings too? Fires are everywhere-Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the Zaca Fire, last years San Diego wildfires, Tahoe, the list goes on...

It's my philosphy that decks over living spaces are essentially roofs first, and decks to walk on second. Roofs are required to be fire rated and newly installed replacement roofs must be too.

However, in the case of decks, many decks that are being coated/waterproofed on new and rehab work are not receiving fire rated coatings-despite call outs on plans and specifications.

Should California pass a law requiring the installation of only one hour fire rated deck coatings? It would seem to make sense.

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