Prevention of Firestorms

September 5, 2009.

Prevention of Firestorms
By T.S.Khanna

Since the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, which destroyed more than 3,000 homes, we have experienced many big fires in California. But we have not applied any preventive lessons from experience. Even the 2003 Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations were ignored. Again, we are experiencing firestorms in southern California.

The redeveloped Oak Land Hills homes are just as vulnerable as they were before the 1991 fire. The well-developed areas of Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon are also vulnerable.

I urge that State and Federal Laws be adopted that

1. All buildings (including homes) exterior may be constructed with fireproof material by using bricks, stones, stucco, steel, and fireproof roof-tiles.
2. Heat/smoke sensitive automatic sprinkler systems may be installed on the ceilings and the roof tops with an on/off switch outside the house/building.
3. Homes may be surrounded only with ever green shrubbery, not tall trees. The height of the trees may be limited to the distance from the nearest building.
4. Only very low-density developments may be allowed in the wind tunnel and other vulnerable areas, like hilly areas where, under emergency, easy movement is denied to the fire fighting equipment and the escaping residents.
5. During the dry or windy season or days, no fire burning may be allowed in the picnic areas or open areas.
6. State-of-the-art techniques may be implemented to prevent fire from the shot circuited or downed power lines.

To stay in business, insurance companies and Fire Districts must insist on preventive measures.