Three people got out in time when a flat on Karmøy was completely damaged in a fire at Easter. The neighbors were evacuated, but the fire did not spread. – In this case, we have a building that is constructed as it should be. Together with good and early efforts from the fire service, it meant that the fire did not spread, says fire chief Dag Botnen at Haugaland fire and rescue IKS. Botnen is particularly concerned that apartment buildings and terraced houses should have good separation between them. Three people got out in time before the flat was completely damaged by fire. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news – It is alpha and omega when we have fires like this, he says. Fire chief Dag Botnen in Haugaland fire and rescue IKS. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news There have been many examples in recent years of a fire quickly spreading to neighboring apartments or terraced houses. Several large fires In 2021, an apartment building in Bergen with 20 municipal apartments was completely damaged in a severe fire. Subsequently, several industry professionals have pointed to an unculture where fire safety is sacrificed for cheaper solutions. Just before Christmas in 2022, a flat in Haugesund caught fire. All four apartments in the building were completely damaged. The fire also spread to the neighboring building, where two apartments suffered extensive fire damage. Rolf Søtorp, director of the Fire Protection Association. Photo: Norwegian Fire Protection Association – We see that in too many cases it is more than one unit that burns down, says managing director Rolf Søtorp of the Fire Protection Association. The fire protection association has created a database called “Ulme”. It records all the details surrounding all terraced house fires in Norway. The statistics show that fires spread more easily in terraced houses built before 1990. – There are many examples, both locally and nationally, where such fires have had major consequences, says Dag Botnen. Statistics from the Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) show that on average there is a fire every week that spreads to neighboring apartments or terraced houses. About 50 a year. A total of 395 in the years 2016–2022. How to check yourself You can help prevent the spread of fire through a simple check in your own home. All flats and townhouses must have their own fire cell, according to the regulations. This applies both horizontally and vertically. This is to prevent any fire from spreading. – It must be possible to burn in one flat before the fire spreads to the next flat, says Botnen. How effective a flat or terraced house is as a fire cell depends on the technical requirements that applied in the year of construction. In addition, there are the properties of the material that was used. The fire cell can also be weakened over time as a result of damage, wear and tear or refurbishment. In the fire at Karmøy last Easter, this flat acted as a fire cell, and the fire did not spread to the other three flats. Photo: Haugaland fire and rescue IKS It is the owner of the apartment or terraced house who is responsible for the fire station working as it should. – I would encourage everyone who lives in flats and terraced houses to take an extra check on this, says Botnen. Botnen has the following checklist: Check that there is a good separation between the units, both in the floor, ceiling and walls. Check that the walls go all the way up to the ceiling. Check that there are no holes or other leaks between the units so that air can enter. If you discover a mistake or are unsure, you can contact your local fire brigade or a fire protection adviser. – We are coming for a visual experience. Carrying out preventive measures is an important part of our job. We must put out the fires before they start, says Botnen. In many cases, apartments or terraced houses will be part of a condominium or co-ownership. – For both the owners and the board, it will be a cheap investment to have professionals go through the fire safety test, says Rolf Søtorp of the Fire Protection Association.
ttn-69
Every week, one fire spreads to the neighbor in a terraced house or apartment – this is how you prevent it from spreading – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
