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Especially since stud bays in those days were often continuous, they used available back then very long pieces of wood to frame the entire building, instead of
by hga 10y ago
Especially since stud bays in those days were often continuous, they used available back then very long pieces of wood to frame the entire building, instead of stacking floors on top of each other: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framing_(construction)#Balloon_framing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framing_(construction)#Balloon...
Yeah, I can see that, most likely long enough to give the fire department plenty of time to save the adjacent buildings, as I witnessed once (but didn't know their construction details). I worry about flat roofs, though, how fire resistant do they tend to be? Original formula asphalt shingle with an organic base aren't super fire resistant from what I've just read and basic principles (when I re-roof, which will require taking off 3 layers (!) plus the original wood shingles, I'll be sure to get the more fire resistant fiberglass base ones).
- hx87 10y agoIf you're taking shingles, chances are you don't have a true flat roof (or just a terribly built one), since those are supposed to continuous roofing in order to withstand water puddles. Back in the day the only material available was asphalt tar, which obviously isn't very fireproof. Modern alternatives such as EPDM and TPO though are plenty fireproof, especially if placed on top of polyisocyanurate insulation (which doesn't burn, only char) instead of directly on the wood deck.
- hga 10y agoSorry for my lack of clarity, I was talking about both types of roofs, since the classic Somerville triple decker has a flat roof, and the classic Philadelphia a pitched roof with shingles. I was wondering about the former since I've never seen one as such, aside from some one story commercial ones when I lived in a higher adjacent apartment. And thanks for the comments, you've saved me some research when it comes time to replace my roof.