It’s a devastating new reality in the western half of the nation. Properties, homes and communities are lost to wildfires every year and the danger of future fires grows worse each year. Consequently, building code amendments are working to eliminate fire hazards in new constructions and make buildings as fireproof as possible.
In cities like San Francisco and Chicago, both impacted by the natural disasters that ignited their cities over a century ago, a combination of porcelain pavers and steel deck supports is one of best solutions for building totally non-combustible roof decks. Even for single-family homes in rural areas, freestanding decks built with porcelain pavers supported by non-combustible pedestals can minimize the impact of an encroaching blaze.
Before you begin installing your porcelain pavers and deck supports however, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that your deck is both as functional and as fireproof as possible. Here are our recommendations.
A. Elevated Decks Built Over a Steel or Aluminum Support Structure
With this system, Structo-Crete concrete panels are laid over a steel or aluminum support structure over which 2cm thick porcelain pavers supported by low height steel pedestals are laid to provide an elegant, durable, stain resistant, scratch resistant, fire resistant surface.
If you’re remodeling, the first step is to remove all existing wooden and combustible decking materials. Since your goal is to choose the safest materials you can, the new substructure of the deck must be built using steel or aluminum frames with a joist system on 12” centers to accommodate the support requirements of the Structo-Crete panels.
Note that at least 3″ of clearance from the to of the steel or aluminum joists to the bottom of the door threshold must be factored into the design to account for the materials used here – Structo-Crete concrete panels, pedestals and porcelain pavers. This measurement may increase if you choose to slope your panels.
For the base of the deck, lay 1” thick 4’x8’ Structo-Crete concrete panels across the joists. These will support the pedestals and prevent anything from falling through the deck if a porcelain paver were to suffer damage and break.
Unless you have chosen to slope the substructure for drainage, you can install the Structo-Crete panels at zero degrees and drill ½” holes every 24″-48” to allow for water to drain through.
Before you install the pedestals and pavers, a containment must be constructed around your deck perimeter to prevent the porcelain pavers from moving outward. Apart from where the pavers are adjacent to any building wall, containment could be accomplished along the outside perimeter by installing a steel strip running from railing post to railing post. You may also consider a parapet wall or in some cases, an edging profile, depending on your preference.
Place 1” high Archatrak non-combustible steel pedestals in a grid layout on the Structo-Crete surface based on the porcelain paver dimensions and pedestal installation guidelines. You can adjust the height of the pedestals to level the surface of the deck by simply screwing the pedestal columns up or down.
Finally lay your choice of 2cm thick porcelain pavers over the pedestals.
B. Roof Decks
If you want your deck surface to look like wood, porcelain pavers are the most authentic-looking, safe and nonflammable alternative you’ll find. You can install these directly over our all steel ‘Incendio’ adjustable height pedestals. For installation guidelines, go to How to Install Porcelain Pavers with a Pedestal Paver System where you will also see a video explaining the installation with plastic pedestals. The installation procedure with ‘Incendio’ pedestals is essentially the same.
As with other styles of Archatrak pavers, such as Stone Look, Terrazzo, Monochrome and Cement styles, we always recommend that you order small samples of the pavers first to make sure the chosen color meets your aesthetic requirements.
To do so, simply go to our Paver Collections and Colors page, click on the colors you like and you will be able to add up to four colors to a shopping cart with no charge.
Closing Thoughts on Fireproofing Your Home
Your decision to fireproof your deck could be more important than you know. Well-designed non-combustible steel paver supports like Archatrak’s ‘Incendio’ non-combustible pedestals are already listed as a building code requirement in counties like Fairfax County, VA.
In California, exacting 2008 regulations under Chapter 7A of the California Building Code have substantially mitigated home loss due to fires. By reducing or eliminating as much fire-prone materials as possible, the California Building Standards Commission’s efforts effectively saved 51% of the homes in the path of the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA from destruction.
Using fire-resistant materials, while likely more expensive in the short term, could be lifesaving down the road. With more flame-retardant materials being developed each year, we are optimistic that the risk of losing a home in a fire can be practically eliminated in homes built in the future.