In homes today, what is behind the reason for flashover fires occurring much more rapidly than in the past generations?

One of the reasons why flashover fires are more prevalent today than it was in the past is that homes and furniture today are made from materials that are far more combustible than those of previous years.

Explanation:

A flashover fire is the rapid ignition and combustion of all flammable materials in an enclosed vicinity in a very short period of time.

Thirty years ago, the average escape time from a house that was on fire is about sixteen and fifty seconds...that would be approximately seventeen minutes. Presently that figure is down to four minutes.

One of the reasons identified is that the internal and external appurtenances especially furniture in use today are more combustible than those of previous years. That is, as they burn, they produce more heat and disintegrate faster.

The reason identified for this is, old houses were made of more natural materials such as real wood etc whilst the furniture and curtains in modern houses are mostly from synthetic materials.

Cheers

diy

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