Heat wave highlights risk of runaway fires for homeowners
With the Gauteng province expected to experience extremely hot weather and no rain over the next few days, these dry conditions present an ideal opportunity for runaway fires to start. As a result, it is critical that homeowners in high risk areas ensure they are fully covered for any loss or damage experienced as a result of a fire.
According to Natasja Blok, Managing Director at Thatch Risk Acceptances - a specialist insurance underwriter, writing on behalf of Compass Insurance - this is especially true for owners of thatched roof houses, as these structures are the most prone to fire damage. “A thatched roof house can burn to the ground in ten minutes flat and it is seldom that the house can be salvaged after a fire. Given that around 80% of thatch claims are fire-related, it’s essential for homeowners to have the correct insurance in place.”
Blok says due to the fast burning nature of thatch, homeowners often have little time to save any precious belongings. “Losing one’s home and valuables in a fire is traumatic enough for any homeowner, but if they then discover that they were not correctly insured in terms of the value of their home and its contents, the agony is so much worse.”
She advised that there are various preventative measures that thatch homeowners can take to safeguard their property. “Firstly, it is wise to clear any dry grass and bush around the property within a 25-metre vicinity of the home to minimise the risk of crawling veld fires.It is also a good idea to clear the roof of all creepers and to make sure that no overhanging tree branches are touching the thatched roof.”
Blok says that installing a water hose reel is a good example of a cost effective way of reducing fire risk and can greatly assist in the fighting of fires. “It would be preferable if there is an independent water source, for example a pool or dam, as well as a submersible pump to generate enough water pressure to fight a fire.”
“There are various fire retardant treatments available in the market that are very effective in delaying the spread of a fire over the entire thatch roof.Some of these products need to be introduced during the construction phase when the roof is being erected and in other cases the thatch can be treated on existing structures.”
She also recommends the professional installation and maintenance of Drencher Systems on the ridge capping, which can be activated automatically or manually. “Ultimately, if there is a raging veld fire in your vicinity, the best advice is to drench the roof with water.If the roof is wet, it will significantly reduce the risk of the thatch catching alight.”
She says she has noticed a definite increase in extreme weather conditions over the last few years due to climate change. “Apart from fires, there are significant changes in lightning patterns throughout the country as well as severe rain and floods. As a result the importance of insurance against unexpected weather conditions is becoming increasingly important for all South African homeowners.
