While technology has made it possible to construct homes faster, lighter and stronger than 25 years ago, the McMansion homes of today are more prone to fire and, once ablaze, burn more quickly, regional fire experts warn.
“Homes today are made of oil. There?s more glue, more plastics, more resins and vinyl siding ? all petroleum based ? in new homes,” said David McKernan, deputy chief of fire prevention in Fairfax County. “Homes are becoming increasingly made to burn faster and to burn hotter; then we put them closer together.”
Through home development in the fast-growing Washington metropolitan area, the risk of fire increases with each foot of space as homes are crowded onto small lots and tight developments, according to fire experts.
“There?s definitely a correlation between an expanding population and the construction that comes along with it and an increase in fire activity,” said Tim Taylor, a member of the Prince George?s Fire and Rescue service. “When I walk around and look at things, I can?t help but think to myself, this can only make things harder.”
Taylor and many others in the field argue that homes are being built larger and larger, while the separation between the buildings is narrower and narrower.
“We?re seeing the building industry putting up larger homes closer together, but at the same time, they?re not changing how they build to add fire prevention methods,” said Tom Polera, assistant fire marshal in Arlington County. “I realize they?re in a business and most follow the rules, but it doesn?t really help us.”
Pete Piringer, a spokesman with the Montgomery County Fire Department, said, “The materials used today shorten the time firefighters have to arrive and get everything under control. There?s pressed wood, for roofs; two-by-fours instead of beams and in many cases, staples for some work instead of nails.”
Piringer said they had “one fire in the last few weeks where a garage caught on fire in Clarksburg and by the time crews were able to arrive on the scene it had spread and damaged 10 other structures and two homes,” he said. “These homes are built to burn fast and spread, that?s what can happen when you combine lightweight construction with higher density.”
Polera said a common problem that hinders firefighters in the new “planned communities” are narrow streets designed to give it a “village” feel. Polera said a ladder truck to be used needs at least 20 feet of space, and “while that may not seem like much, it has become a concern.” They are further crowded by cars parking on both sides of a street.
