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All of the spectacular construction fires in Oakland in the past few years have been this type of construction. The enormous open wood frame structures were lik
by jdblair 8y ago
All of the spectacular construction fires in Oakland in the past few years have been this type of construction. The enormous open wood frame structures were like carefully constructed bonfires built of dry wood. Lots of surface area and ventilation to feed the fire once it got started.
- drewmate 8y agoI haven't lived in Oakland too long, so I don't have memory of these fires, but they certainly haven't stopped the momentum of 1+5's in my neighborhood. Just in the last ~2 years I've seen 3-4 (block-sized) buildings like these go up in my immediate vicinity. Honestly, I'd never considered them to be negative; they're quick to build and encourage street-level retail and walkable neighborhoods. That seems like exactly what the Bay Area cities (and many other US cities) need right now. To me, they seem like a strict improvement over large residential-only blocks popular in the last 25 years.
- jdblair 8y agoI don't think they're a negative, either. Build, build, build!
- dmckeon 8y agoIf the wooden stud walls are still exposed during construction, bonfire is a fair comparison, but once the wooden walls are covered by sheetrock, and doors and windows are in place to reduce available air, the scenario is different. In the East Bay case, a arson suspect has been arrested on DNA evidence. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/East-Bay-housing-development-fire-marks-fifth-13329636.php https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/East-Bay-housing...
- jdblair 8y agoI wasn't trying to suggest the design is not fire safe. Fire codes ensure it will be safe when completed.