Fire Resistance Demonstration

What happens here

The presenter demonstrates the fire resistance of both construction styles. Using a large propane torch, he applies flame directly to the masonry (brick and block) sections of the European model. He then moves to the wood-framed USA model, showing that the roofing and joists of both are not fire-resistant, but the wood framing itself is also highly susceptible to fire. He demonstrates that while wood framing burns easily, fire-resistant insulation (such as mineral wool, shown being inserted into the wood frame) can be added to reduce the spread of fire, improving the safety of wood-framed structures.

Goal: Compare the fire resistance of masonry and wood-framed construction.