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Edmonton's fire chief concerned homes burn too quickly. |
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Sunday, 21 May 2006 |
Homebuilders reject Edmonton fire chief's claims
Alberta homebuilders are rejecting claims that they're building homes that burn too quickly. Earlier this week, Edmonton's fire chief went before a city committee to ask politicians to support his demand for changes to national building code rules that govern what materials can be used in the construction of new homes.
Homebuilders reject Edmonton fire chief's claims | Last updated May 19 2006 04:20 PM MDT
CBC News | | Alberta homebuilders are rejecting claims that they're building homes that burn too quickly. Earlier this week, Edmonton's fire chief went before a city committee to ask politicians to support his demand for changes to national building code rules that govern what materials can be used in the construction of new homes. Randy Wolsey says new homes are often built with engineered wood such as particleboard rather than solid wood. But he says those types of materials are less fireproof and can cause problems when used for floorboards or roof trusses. Wolsey says the materials burn faster than regular lumber and can allow fires to spread more quickly. Another problem he points to deals with vinyl siding. Wolsey says sheets of vinyl siding used on the exterior of houses sit very close together. He says that in a fire the material fuels the flames and can allow them to spread. But Grant Ainsley, spokesperson for the Alberta branch of the Canadian Home Builders' Association, says the issues are new to him. "I am a little bit lost to see where the problems have been in Edmonton over the last few years related to this," Ainsley said. Ainsley says his members feel they are building houses that are fire resistant and safe and wants to meet with the fire chief to get more details about his concerns. Ainsley added that any new building requirements will only increase the cost of new homes. |
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