Fire Severity Outcome Comparison of Apartment Buildings Constructed from Combustible and Non-Combustible Construction Materials

Abstract Wood is commonly used in construction, but often perceived as being less safe than structures made from non-combustible materials. With the advancement of wood products and treatment, construction techniques, protective systems, this may not be case any longer. Using retrospective data fire departments across Canada, study aimed to determine whether type material (combustible or non-combustible) affected severity outcome a one six storey apartment building fire, after accounting for systems (smoke alarms sprinklers). The found that, adjusting presence smoke sprinklers, constructed materials did perform better terms injuries, requiring extinguishment by department, spreading beyond room origin. working sprinklers played central role reducing fire. Smoke both reduced odds department Sprinklers also injury rate. Overall, highlighted importance outcomes.