One hour fire resistive construction siding?

[cedarglen]

We are building in an area which requires our exterior siding to be of "one hour fire resistive construction". What are our choices?

Charles

[MountainDon]

Stucco!
Metal or cement tile roof


That's off the top of my head; not much room up there for much more

Here are a few interesting links, must be some more out there....

http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/Natural-Disasters/fire-retardant-construction

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3737/is_200303/ai_n9226927

and an interesting analysis of surviving home in a fire devatated area
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00124.asp

[MountainDon]

I just realized I used to have a fire resistive home and didn't know it... concrete block walls covered with stucco and no overhanging eaves.

[Okie_Bob]

Not positive but, Hardi Board would qualify, I believe. Cement mixed with fibre. You can get it in 4/8 sheets or 1/4 X 8 for lap siding. I used it and love it!
Metal roof should be ok too.
Okie Bob

[Amanda_931]

Possible that a straw-bale home would qualify.  A bench survived the Oakland fire, there is a famous story of a candle in a niche not burning the whole place down.  The more tightly they were baled, the less likely to have enough oxygen in the middles to burn.

Although they really do need overhangs, but maybe a living roof would work.

Adobe, cob--no particular reason to think they wouldn't--except maybe for the overhangs.

Even cordwood--wood encased tightly in something pretty unburnable.

[MountainDon]

and brick or stone work are top fire rated.

See the "Internet Finds for Designers" section.... "Referral Links" for links

[desdawg]

What is the fire rating for Hardy products?

[MountainDon]

The James hardie website   http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/prodcomp/default.php    states "Non-combustible. Approved for fire-rated construction."
What it doesn't come right out and say is whether or not you have to install it over some other fire rated substrate to achive the approval. I'm always looking for the catch

[cedarglen]

Are the hardie board products that resemble primered T1-11 structural panels (like t1-11) or can they only be used as siding over OSB?

Charles

[MountainDon]

Hardie has 4 x 8 panels that do resemble T1-11 as well as 6.25, 8.25 and 12" wide boards to be used as siding boards. Not sure about the 4 x 8 panels, but the boards have to be used over something that will prevent the wall from racking... either let-in bracing or sheathing of some kind. The infi I downloaded from   http://www.jameshardie.com/   only seems to cover the planking as they call it.