Cladding is building material applied to a structure in order achieve a goal such as insulation, weather resistance and/or cosmesis. It may be used inside or out. It may contribute to a building fire.
Risk factors for building fire associated with cladding:
(1) presence of a flammable material (may be present inside of an outer skin)
(2) extensive use without fire control measures
(3) exposure to a heating source (electric, flame, lightning, etc)
(4) high burning temperature
(5) difficult to extinguish
(6) installation that includes an airspace between the material and the building that allows for a chimney effect
If a large amount of contiguous cladding material is present on the outside of a building, then a fire can engulf the building if the cladding material is flammable.
Additional hazards:
(1) toxic smoke
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