The ventilated facade installed at the era when the Valencia building was erected, which later caught fire and caused 4 deaths, 15 injuries, and 14 missing persons, acted like a chimney and aided in spreading the flames.
This was explained by Luis Sendra, president of the Official College of Architects of Valencia (COAV). He noted that the building was developed by the Fbex promoter, which later went bankrupt, between 2005 and 2007, and that, on the surface, it appears to be a well-constructed building.
Sendra, who traveled to the fire zone, stated that during that growth phase many buildings were built and that no one anticipated the real estate boom of the second half of 2007.
No restrictions at the time
“Back then there were no restrictions on facade products or balcony furniture; rules have been tightened over time,” he recalled, adding that the current fire safety standards were consolidated in 2011.
Now polyurethane is not used directly
“Today polyurethane is not applied directly, if that is what was used in that building, because it must be analyzed and the expert report must be awaited to see what it says,” he added.
He explained that “ventilated facades began to appear during that period to improve thermal performance in cold and hot conditions. A small air cavity is created between the facade and the cladding, and it is through this gap that flames climbed. It acted like a chimney and burned away.”
The COA president emphasized that the building’s collapse “could occur if the fire has attacked structural components such as columns and beams for an extended period,” although, initially, a structural collapse does not seem likely.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that “one must proceed with care and prudence because there may be people inside.”