In aftermath of LA fires, group asks: Why not build homes that don’t burn?
With a significant portion of Los Angeles entering the rebuilding process as a result of the devastating January fires, three associations from sectors in the construction materials industry joined together to create the Building With Resilience campaign in an effort to promote fire-resilient homes. While not so simple for builders to learn how construct with new materials, like concrete, that are resistant to burning, a transition away from timber can decrease reliance on combustible materials during the construction process and actually be more cost-effective since contractors are already using concrete for foundations and driveways. With wildfires being so common in California, when it becomes as deadly and impactful as the ones seen in LA, signals point toward a need for change to decrease risk according to the trade associations leading the campaign.
Tom Tietz, executive director of the California Nevada Cement Association, stated that “California is at a turning point where we can and must build better than before.”
