Several recent fires around the world have caused catastrophic damage to human life and property, along with the apartment fires that have plagued North Texas. The benefit of an ADU is its detachment from adjoining walls which can reduce to risk of fire spreading to the unit. What are a few ways to protect an ADU from fire or prevent fire? I’m not a fireman nor an architect, but a curious mind and love of design is all it takes.
DEFENSIBLE BARRIER
A defensible barrier is thoughtful landscaping near a structure that serves as several feet of fire-resistance. This can be done by using fire-resistant materials radiating from the home in zones. Because an ADU is behind a major structure, it may exist in the defensible barrier of the larger building. It can still have its own buffer at least 5ft out from the ADU, like my old place downtown. My old ADU was surrounded by pebble stones on all sides that looked beautiful to my eye because it complemented the industrial style popular in Texas while serving an important purpose. The cement patio against the ADU on the left side was also a great way to prevent fire from spreading from or to the unit. Fencing near an ADU treated in a fire-retardant for raw wood, or fencing that is metal, is a great barrier as well. A copper gate was erected around the property in my old ADU. While it looks pretty to have lush landscaping against a tiny home, the reality is dry summer months could cause a fire hazard as the leaves shrivel and fall creating unwanted kindling for a flame. Beyond the 5ft defensible barrier might be the best place for potted plants, shrubs, gardens, or other greenery. Even trees near an ADU could be a hazard as the limbs mingle in electric power lines while dead trees are a clear fire trap. Trimming, pruning, and mowing are essential fire prevention duties for the oasis beyond the fire barrier. I’d rather lean into native Texas plants and fire-resistant landscaping elements for any tiny home I may own in the future.
Unaffiliated LINKS:
Defensible Space | Ready for Wildfire
Make your home wildfire defensible | US Forest Service
FIRE-PROOFING STUDS
Most ADUs seem to be buildt with wooden studs from 2x4 lumber. Steel studs are an obvious fire-resistant option as they seem to remain standing after a structure has been incinerated. However, there are products specifically for treating raw wood like lumber and plywood which form the skeleton of an ADU. It’s typically a clear liquid that can be put into a spray bottle, or a clear varnish that can be put into a paint sprayer, that will soak into, or coat, the raw wood. These chemicals prevent fire from igniting or slow the spread of flame. These products also works on fibers like carpet and drapes. While my old ADU was a completed build and a rental downtown, I once had a commercial art studio that had an unfortunate carpet which I sprayed with a fire retardant. I also sprayed my large, wooden workbench/cabinet to protect all that I stored inside. If I were to build an ADU from scratch, spraying the studs and plywood walls before finishing the ADU sounds like a simple option to prevent a devastating fire and ‘total loss'.
Unaffiliated LINKS:
Firefree Class A | Fire Proof Paint for Wood | ASTM E84 Tested
Fire Retardant Spray for Wood | Flame Retardant for Wood | FlameStop.com™
EXTERIOR FINISHES
Stone, plaster, metal, or brick exteriors are the most obvious forms or fire-proof exteriors. However, raw wood and siding seems to be very popular for ADUs because of the visual punch and low cost. Treating the raw wood with a fire-retardant spray or varnish is a great way to prevent fire from spreading to the ADU from the outside. It may need to be reapplied annually due to exposure outdoors.
Unaffiliated LINKS:
Flame Retardant Spray, Wood, W-1000
FIRE-PROOFING WALLS
I lived in a rental ADU, so the drywall was already in place. Again, the benefit of an ADU being a standalone structure is the lack of adjoining walls to another unit, like an apartment, which might catch fire and spread or vice versa. There are permanent and rental friendly was to protect drywall that I had hoped to apply before moving out of my old ADU that I will carry into the future.
A heavy, thick form of drywall known as ‘sound/fire proof drywall’ is a made with a cement layer and denser materials. It can be found at home improvement stores in rectangular sheets. When it’s time to attach the drywall to the studs, consider this material instead. If regular drywall is already attached, the denser drywall product can be applied on top with nails through to the studs. There is also fire-resistant wall insulation that can be placed between each stud.
There are fire-retardant paints which are very particular in the surfaces they safely cling to. Raw wood and unpainted drywall seem to be the best foundations for fire-retardant paints that are typically considered primers. Some products might be one step, while others require multiple steps, and specialty paints might come in several colors or have the capacity to be mixed with color. There are also fire-retardant paint additives that can be mixed with existing color paints. There may be a select few fire-retardant paints that can cling to already painted surfaces, so adding a coat on top of a previously painted wall in a rental ADU is still possible. Though it costs extra and requires more research, it seems to be worth the money and time.
Brick, tile, stone, and even slabs can be applied to existing drywall with adhesive and grout to serve as a fire-proof barrier. This is why kitchen backsplashes are made of hard materials. Loft apartments from converted industrial buildings have brick between the walls because it was fire prevention in factories and warehouses. This can be achieved anywhere and serve the same purpose while matching any desired aesthetic.
Plasters like Venetian plaster, micro-cement, clay plaster, or lime wash are additions to walls that beautify and protect. Application can be done DIY or through a professional and some products have more steps than others. I think it would add a timeless touch to the small space that could be as bold or as subtle as I like. Some materials available for purchase at popular stores might not be true or traditional in their material makeup and I think it’s best to contact certified experts to ensure proper materials and installation.
Unaffiliated LINKS:
Sheetrock Brand Mold Tough Firecode X Drywall Panels
Safe 'n' Sound 3 Soundproofing and Fire-Resistant Stone Wool Insulation
Fire Retardant - Paint - The Home Depot
CEILING AND ROOF
Heat rises and I’ve seen so many images of flames and smoke billowing from rooftops on the news. When a kitchen fire begins, the flames seem to rise towards the ceiling first (perhaps this explains the trend of removing upper kitchen cabinets). Protecting the ceiling and roof seems to be a key element in preventing a ‘total loss’ in a fire or stopping the fire from spreading to the trees tops and surrounding buildings. Plastering the ceiling is an easy way protect the drywall above and this can be achieved in traditional white colors or bolder color-drench techniques since plasters come in a large variety. Curtains tend to sit on the wall and rise to the ceiling from the floor. They are a silent link between flames that could spread them quickly and should be treated as well. While some curtains may already be treated before purchase with a flame-retardant, there are fabric sprays that exist and will not alter the color or quality of the curtain. Wood beams are not necessary in an ADU, but if they are built as support or added for beauty, they can be treated like any raw wood with a fire-retardant spray or varnish.
Though popular synthetic shingles might have fire-retardant qualities, nothing seems to compare to the durability and flame resistance of clay shingles or a metal roof. This does not leave for a lot of options stylistically, but the metal roof on my old ADU was such a peace of mind. That’s because ADUs are typically nestled deep into a property, shorter than the surrounding buildings, and legally required to be smaller. Flames could hop onto the roof of an ADU quite easily and start a house fire from above. A fire-resistant roof for an ADU seems like the first priority compared to all other steps for fire safety.
Unaffiliated LINKS:
Flamecheck M-111 Fire Retardant Spray 32 oz. - Class A Materials - - Interior - Wood & Fabrics
SUPPLIES AND TOOLS
Standard supplies and tools for fire detection and suppression are luckily easy to find, but perhaps overlooked. Fire extinguishers should be in every room, especially the kitchen, though an ADU can be a studio with one large room. Practicing how to use the extinguisher helps so that panic and quick thinking don’t cloud skill in case of a fire. I’ve used one before and the clean-up is quite extensive.
Fire detectors on the ceiling in every room are a must, but in an ADU the flames might be obvious. After use from smoke, many chirp continuously. Resetting or changing the battery is needed. I have turned off the electric breaker for the room the chirping detector resided, taken it off the ceiling, reset it, and returned it to its place.
Speaking of electric breaker, surely it would be useful to cut off all electricity from the breaker if there is a fire. Live wires and electricity might be a powerful conductor in the spread of flames.
Other supplies like electric blankets and first aid kits seem like it’s getting into doomsday territory for the place where we live, but during a fire evacuation, grabbing a box or bag for first aid could be a life saver.