A Review on Structure Ignitions by Firebrands

Abstract

Experimental researches on structure ignitions by firebrands are reviewed in this paper. Over the years, different methods to make a proper firebrand were attempted. Starting from Usui's experiments by using burned woods distributed by a wind to roof tiles to many experiments with burned cribs placed on the roofs to the Firebrand Generator were introduced in this paper. In the past, most of researches was focused on only roofs, which have been known to be vulnerable to firebrands after 1976 Sakata Fire. Recently experiments with the Firebrand Generator have been investigating structures' vulnerabilities to firebrands as well as roofs'. This review hopefully leads to find mitigation or protection strategies in outdoor fires.