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Stesso

Fire Blocking Introduction and Ignition

1:23
1:53
5.5M views

At 1:23 in

Why we stopped ballon framing 👍 #carpentry #framing #codes #building #learn

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What happens here

The presenter addresses the more common and critical issue with balloon framing: the lack of 'fire blocking'. He explains that the continuous open channels within the walls of a balloon-framed house allow fire to travel from the 'basement' all the way up through the 'studs' to the 'rafters' and 'ceiling rafters' very quickly. To demonstrate this, a small pile of kindling material is placed in the 'basement' section of the balloon-framed side of the model. The presenter then uses a 'propane torch' to ignite the kindling, initiating a fire in the lower portion of the balloon-framed wall.

Goal: Demonstrate rapid vertical fire spread in balloon framing due to lack of fire blocking.

Tools and materials

  • Miniature House Model N/A — The subject of the fire demonstration
  • Pointer Stick N/A — Highlighting areas of concern
  • Propane Torch N/A — Igniting the kindling for the fire demonstration
  • Kindling Material N/A — Fuel for the fire demonstration

What they say

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decks, pole barns, and other structures. Also, a ledger failure could allow the entire floor to collapse at once. For example, a more common issue is that this would not have fire blocking. So, if a fire starts, this can travel from your basement all the way up very quickly. Let's see what happens if there's a fire in your basement. As you see, the fire travels up these bays and easily makes it upstairs. On this side, the fire doesn't make it up because there's blocking in these areas.

Auto-generated from the video audio.