The Importance of Fireproofing as Cities Build Upward
Urban centres all across North America are becoming denser and denser with the increased volume of high-rise buildings going up in major cities. As cities grow vertically, high-rise structures pose unique fire safety challenges due to height, material complexity, and occupant density. This makes professional fireproofing services increasingly essential in such infrastructure. Fireproofing efforts can help prevent excessive loss of personal belongings and assets while also giving building occupants a much higher chance of reaching safety in the event of a fire. Fireproofing in Toronto can also help building owners meet local compliance requirements. If you are a building owner looking to enhance the safety of your high-rise building, reach out to EcoStar Insulation for top-quality fireproofing services in Toronto and the GTA.
Here are some reasons why fireproofing is more critical than ever in growing cities.
The Risks of High-Rise Fires
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The sheer size and occupant density of high-rise condo buildings and offices make them high-risk when it comes to fire outbreaks.
Fire behaviour in tall buildings is especially dangerous because the heat creates pressure that pushes the hot air and smoke up into air shafts or staircases. This means that every floor above the origin of the outbreak is at risk of smoke and fire damage.
Tall buildings can suffer from much more catastrophic damage because of their density, meaning that many more people are at risk than during something like a house fire.
What Is Fireproofing and How Does It Work?
Fireproofing services involve taking measures that protect the structure of your property against fire. Cementitious fireproofing is one of the best choices on the market because of its high temperature resistance and easy application. Cementitious fireproofing is a plaster-like coating that is applied to steel structures in high-rise buildings. This coating can resist over 1000 degrees Celsius for over an hour. This helps protect your property against collapse and can help slow the spread of fires. This allows ample time for rescue forces to put out the fire while also giving occupants time to safely escape the building before it becomes compromised. Fireproofing is usually integrated during the design phase of new buildings; however, there is potential for retrofitting as well.
The Economic and Human Value of Fireproofing
From an economic point of view, fireproofing efforts seem like a worthwhile investment. There is so much at stake when a fire outbreaks in a high-rise building. Fires can absolutely destroy high-rise buildings, leading to major construction and restoration costs down the line. Whether it is a condo or an office building, these properties are filled with personal belongings and valuable assets that may get lost in a fire. Investing some money into fireproofing can prevent such catastrophic damage and the costs associated with it down the line.
Taking measures to contain a fire outbreak in your building will also help protect the lives of building occupants and first responders. This can reduce injury and loss of life and will minimize downtime for building occupants who may not be able to reside in their apartments.
Improve Fire Safety as Cities Grow Upward
If major cities are going to continue building their properties upwards, then fire safety should be made a priority in high-rise condos and office buildings. High-rises present unique risks when it comes to fire outbreaks due to their sheer size and structure. Passive fireproofing in Toronto can help protect your property from collapse while improving safety for occupants. Overall, the potential benefits far outweigh the cost of installation. If you are interested in fireproofing services for your new high-rise building, reach out to EcoStar Insulation for a free estimate on cementitious fireproofing. Call now to get started!
