Residential fire resistance standards

[Dirty D]

My place is on 5 acres outside city limits and last year my fire insurance went up $500/month. I am in the process of stripping all of the shitty siding off of the mobile home and barn and am looking at adding 1 1/2” Rockwool Comfortboard 80 (rated non combustible by UL) all the way around the outside for several reasons and the non combustible rating is one of them then cladding the whole thing in metal siding (and a metal roof). My question is are there any industry standards on fire resistance that I can go by to get an underwriting memo with my insurance to save some money? I have done a lot of Googling and can’t find a definitive answer

 

[packratt]

Another option to metal siding and trim is concrete like hardy board and nichiha.

Hard to burn concrete.

 

[mosin46]

$500/mo just for fire ins? unbelievable,insane,big ass raping. what are you insuring? the palace of Versailles?

 

[lash]

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It’s a set of national standards that are adopted to some degree or other by all states.

But I suspect the number one item that’s causing your huge insurance costs is lack of fire hydrants (available water to put out a fire) and distance from nearest fire station.

Do you have a pond or other water retention in the area?

 

[WasNH4X]

$500/mo just for fire ins? unbelievable,insane,big ass raping. what are you insuring? the palace of Versailles?

Sigh, and since I was about to bring it up anyway....

Camera Equipment ,Lights , Backing ect. ect.

How and where do ya think he gets all them pictures of land whales, than cause 3rd degree eye burns , that he posts in the tittie pic thread.......huh?

 

[K470]

My place is on 5 acres outside city limits and last year my fire insurance went up $500/month. I am in the process of stripping all of the shitty siding off of the mobile home and barn and am looking at adding 1 1/2” Rockwool Comfortboard 80 (rated non combustible by UL) all the way around the outside for several reasons and the non combustible rating is one of them then cladding the whole thing in metal siding (and a metal roof). My question is are there any industry standards on fire resistance that I can go by to get an underwriting memo with my insurance to save some money? I have done a lot of Googling and can’t find a definitive answer

Look for a set of books titled UL Fire Resistance Directory or look at their Online Certifications Directory under Fire-Resistance Rated Assemblies. UL sets the standards for fire resistance for different components. I know they have info on roofs and walls. If you build to their standard you should be good but you may need a third party to certify it.

 

[Dirty D]

Another option to metal siding and trim is concrete like hardy board and nichiha.

Hard to burn concrete.

The Hardie Panel is $.10 more than corrugated, I may go that route over the mineral wool

 

[Dirty D]

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It’s a set of national standards that are adopted to some degree or other by all states.

But I suspect the number one item that’s causing your huge insurance costs is lack of fire hydrants (available water to put out a fire) and distance from nearest fire station.

Do you have a pond or other water retention in the area?

I have my own well and I’m 1 mile from the RFD station

 

[Makinchips208]

I have my own well and I’m 1 mile from the RFD station

Check into the fire department’s ISO rating.
Distance from the station is good, but their ISO rating is one of the things the insurance companies look at.

 

[lash]

Your well isn’t considered a plus. There’s no way it can provide the volume of water needed to extinguish a fire and no way for fire equipment to attach to it.

Do yourself a favor and look into the NFPA standards. That’s what is used by states and insurance companies.

Also, call your insurance company and ask them what caused the huge increase. What does your new policy list as major costs? Your policy breakdown shows what your bill consists of.

 

[Balor]

Do you own your house or does the bank? I bought my house outright and have an emergency fund for all my needs that covers the house, medical, the only insurance I don’t cover is auto and that sucks. Anyone can do the same.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Your well isn’t considered a plus. There’s no way it can provide the volume of water needed to extinguish a fire and no way for fire equipment to attach to it.

Do yourself a favor and look into the NFPA standards. That’s what is used by states and insurance companies.

Also, call your insurance company and ask them what caused the huge increase. What does your new policy list as major costs? Your policy breakdown shows what your bill consists of.

Proximity to Kalifornia.
Somebody gotta pay for dem burnt up houses

 

[oneshot86]

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It’s a set of national standards that are adopted to some degree or other by all states.

But I suspect the number one item that’s causing your huge insurance costs is lack of fire hydrants (available water to put out a fire) and distance from nearest fire station.

Do you have a pond or other water retention in the area?

I was going to suggest a pool w small firefighting means.

 

[lash]

Or at the least, a Fire sprinkler system. NFPA has been pushing for residential fire sprinkler systems for decades.

 

[oneshot86]

Proximity to Kalifornia.
Somebody gotta pay for dem burnt up houses

Yeah and likely the insurance company or company's won't budge on the premiums.

15000gal above ground Walmart pool and keep the fatties off the diving board

 

[hankpac]

My place is on 5 acres outside city limits and last year my fire insurance went up $500/month. I am in the process of stripping all of the shitty siding off of the mobile home and barn and am looking at adding 1 1/2” Rockwool Comfortboard 80 (rated non combustible by UL) all the way around the outside for several reasons and the non combustible rating is one of them then cladding the whole thing in metal siding (and a metal roof). My question is are there any industry standards on fire resistance that I can go by to get an underwriting memo with my insurance to save some money? I have done a lot of Googling and can’t find a definitive answer

That will prevent the fire that races through the INSIDE from spreading outside. A mobile is not a great place to start trying to fire proof. I’ve been to two mobile fires that were sided with cement board.
Realistically, it may be all a guy can afford, but replacement ( of the entire house), using all the latest up to standard methods is truly the only way, and even that is a bit behind the curve.
Check out the series This Old House did on the fire proofing and upgrading of homes in Paradise, CA, one or two years ago. From defensible space to venting, and outside walls, to fire behavior, the series is very informative. Also a “water reservoir”, such as an above ground pool, or a 2,000 gal black tank, can be defined as a fire fighting tool, as well as a pump and 1” line. Even a dug-out pond (tank in Texas), that is spring fed, and kept full can help mitigate insurance cost. If the guy says “ I’ll allow it”.

 

[Modoc]

You might also look at what the State Fire Marshall has for published recommendations. I know after seeing several catastrophic wildfires first hand, some odd seeming things like fully enclosed eaves make a lot more sense.

As much as I to use Kali as an example, look at www.readyforwildfire.org. They have suggestions for defensible space and Hardening your home.