Potential Dangers of Thatched Roofs in the Summer: authorities issue safety advisory
In the United Kingdom, homeowners with thatched roofs are advised to take extra precautions during heatwaves to minimise the risk of fire. Dry thatch becomes highly flammable under hot, dry conditions, making it essential to take proactive measures.
Woodgate & Clark, a leading loss adjuster with expertise in heritage and high net worth properties, has appointed Chartered Loss Adjuster, James Fairbairn, as Director of Specialist Services. Fairbairn will lead the company's expert and in-demand team of specialist adjusters across the UK, supporting claims for the company's specialist services.
One of the key concerns with thatched roofs is their susceptibility to fire. Approximately 18% of thatched roof fires are caused by external sources such as fireworks, barbecues, and chimneys. To reduce this risk, homeowners are encouraged to avoid such sources of ignition near their properties.
Another crucial precaution is to keep the roof damp if possible. Moistening the thatch can help reduce fire risk during prolonged heatwaves. Additionally, a specialist fire-retardant treatment should be applied to the outer surface of the thatch every five to seven years to protect against embers, sparks, and UV rays.
In the event of a storm, it's important to mitigate the risk of undercloaks. Homeowners are encouraged to dampen their roofs and consider specialist fire-retardant treatment to protect their properties.
The old thatched roof poses an extra risk during heatwave conditions, making it difficult to extinguish once a fire has started. Between 50 and 80 serious fires occur annually in thatched buildings in the UK, many of which are heritage or listed properties where preserving the structure is critical.
These measures are especially important since thatch is designed to shed water, which makes it very difficult to extinguish in a fire. To help prevent devastating fires, homeowners are also advised to consider installing roof sprinklers that create a protective layer of moisture on the roof to stop fires before they start.
Historic England conducted a three-year research programme and offers guidance on reducing risk. Ordnance Survey has also released a new database of over 40 million roofs in Great Britain into the OS National Geographic Database, which is useful for home insurance and commercial insurance brands.
Sources: [1] Woodgate & Clark - Thatched Roof Fire Precautions [2] Historic England - Reducing the Risk of Thatched Roof Fires [3] Ordnance Survey - New Database of Roofs in Great Britain [4] BBC News - The Risks of Thatched Roof Fires Explained
- The scientific understanding of the combustibility of thatched roofs during heatwaves has led to a growing interest in environmental-science, particularly in the realm of sustainable-living and outdoor-living.
- In the context of climate-change, the opinion on the necessity to prioritize the preservation of historical properties like thatched roof buildings is gaining support among environmentalists and homeowners alike.
- The importance of weather forecasting in predicting heatwaves and other extreme weather events can help in taking necessary precautions and minimizing the risk of fire in thatched roof homes.
- To promote a lifestyle that is friendlier towards the environment, some homeowners are opting for modern alternatives to thatched roofs, which are considered less flammable and require less maintenance.
- The home-and-garden sector is increasingly focusing on the development of eco-friendly materials and technologies that cater to both the aesthetic and functional needs of homeowners with an emphasis on reducing the risk of fire in thatched roof buildings.
