Fire Safety Isn’t Optional
Fire codes are intended both to prevent fires, and to maximize the survivability of fires should they occur. If your home was built in violation of the fire code, you and your family are not safe. These violations, like violations of the building code and zoning codes, are often facilitated by cheap or incompetent builders not obtaining the necessary permits prior to construction. One way that builders can violate the fire code is by using non-compliant materials to save money, like installing flammable insulation or swapping gypsum board for cheaper drywall that is not fire-rated. Not sealing gaps or using a sealant that isn’t fireproof will also leave a home vulnerable to fires. These cost-saving measures can cause fires to spread faster than they otherwise would, potentially costing residents crucial minutes to escape from a burning home. In addition, the homeowners’ financial liability in the event of a fire greatly increases if their home lacks the prescribed fire-mitigating features. Insurance companies have the right to refuse to pay out if a fire-damaged home was not built in compliance with the fire codes. Fire codes were written to prevent the kinds of tragedies that were common in centuries past. You are entitled to a home that aligns with our current safety standards, and if your builder sold you a home that is unsafe, they have broken the law.