Are thatched roofs a safe purchase in case of a fire?
Mabaso urged residents to make personal safety a top priority in case of a fire. Residents were also advised to call for emergency services.
The Tshwane emergency services department responded to a number of fires during the month of July.
“A drop in temperatures does in many ways contribute to an increase in fires. The major contributor can, however, be attributed to a human element because cold temperatures are unlikely to cause a fire,” said spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
He reported that the largest number of fire incidents they had recorded during this winter, were due to grass, veld, and rubbish fires that end up threatening properties and livestock.
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“In most of the above incidences, the human hand either deliberately set the vegetation on fire, made an open fire for heating purposes, threw away a lit cigarette, and so on,” he said.
Emergency services also responded to four house fires with thatch roofs and two outbuildings with thatched roofs during July 2021.
Mabaso said this was not necessarily a cause for concern but residents needed to adhere to the prescribed building standards.
“Every structure or dwelling has a level of fire risk exposure.
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“It is, however, the owner’s responsibility to manage or minimise these risks by ensuring that he/she follows the prescribed building standards, regulations and by-laws prior to constructing a thatched-roof structure (house or lapa),” said Mabaso.
“They must also maintain proper housekeeping in the vicinity of the construction,” he said.
Emergency services said fire spreading to a house in close proximity with a thatched roof house or structure was “dependent on various factors that are also posed by any house or structure that is on fire”.
The factors include, but are not limited to:
– The presence or absence of fire barriers between buildings.
– Heat radiation because of the intensity of the fire and wind blowing.
– Fire embers from a thatch roof may be easily carried by wind to proximal houses.
Mabaso said risks for homeowners with thatch-roofed houses could be lessened by ensuring that the structure met or exceeded the minimum building standards contained in the South African National Standards 10100 and related by-laws.
Mabaso urged residents to make personal safety a top priority in case of a fire. Residents were also advised to call for emergency services.
Protection systems like hose reels and fire extinguishers may come in handy in extinguishing a fire during incipient stages. Smoke alarms are a good fire alert protection system and investing in them is recommended.
Deliberately causing a fire is an offence punishable by law and must be avoided.
Report a fire or life-threatening emergency on 107 or alternatively call 012 310 6300/6400.
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