Green Roof Fire Risk

Developers putting green roofs on their buildings may have to think again after one of the world s largest insurers declared they were a fire risk.

Green roof fire risk. Provided by the green roof lowers the energy consumption and hence the energy costs for the building. That on wildflower roofs the vegetation is cut back in the autumn and the thatch removed. This raises the question of whether the testing method is unsuitable or if the result simply indicates a real risk of fire for this type of product. Dry vegetation on green roofs has the potential to catch fire.

By itself this is not a risk at all because already a fat cable coming from a utility pole carries up to thousands of watts of electricity. It has been suggested that green roofs and walls may constitute a fire hazard. Maintenance for fire safety on extensive and biodiverse roofs should be carried out twice yearly to ensure. A building with a green roof is in the german experience safer than a building without green roof further to this in germany there is typically a 10 to 20 per cent discount on fire insurance when a properly designed extensive green roof is installed.

This document illustrates the results of testing carried out on green roofs and green wall systems and provides guidance on the fire performance aspects of green roof and wall construction and. On a sunny day the solar panels on the roof may generate thousands of watts of power. This milestone in the north american green roof movement facilitates future growth by securing a place in mainstream construction under the international building code. But wait are solar panels are actually the culprit for fire.

The vf 1 fire design guide establishes clear criteria for minimizing the risk of fire on green roofs through prudent design and mandatory maintenance regiment. Fire breaks are kept clean and clear of vegetation. Pebble or concrete paving vegetation barriers around roof penetrations routine maintenance to reduce the fire hazard and try to make sure that green roof substrate does not contain a high volume of organic content. Other considerations green roofs should be designed to.

Swiss insurer zurich the third largest insurer of commercial property in the uk said the roofs could dry out and become flammable.