Preliminary Study of the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire and Its Relevance to Wood-Frame,Multi-Family Building Construction

摘要

The purpose of the study was to establish the relevance, if any, of the Oaklandhills wildland and suburban fire that occurred on October 20, 1991, to the design of multi-family wood-frame housing in the United States (U.S.) and Japan. A group of fire scientists and experts in building practices from both countries studied the fire through inspections of the site and meetings with local fire and building officials. The high wind speed, proximity of flammable vegetation to structures, and the flammability of exterior construction materials were factors in the spread of the fire. The use of wood framing members in the construction of multi-family housing did not influence significantly the rate of spread or extent of the fire. The severity and duration of the exposure, from fires ignited both outside and inside of buildings, resulted in total destruction of most structures within the fire area, regardless of the type of construction.