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Experimental evaluation of vegetation fire risk to timber cladding: The effect of separation distance and wind velocity

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Timber cladding is increasingly used for environmental and architectural reasons, yet its response to nearby vegetation fires remains insufficiently quantified, particularly under wind-driven exposure. This study examined flame spread and façade heating from burning wood-wool vegetation adjacent to a timber-clad wall. Experiments used fuel loads of 1 and 2 kg, separation distances of 0, 30 and 50 cm, and wind velocities of 0, 2 and 5 m/s. Wall response was measured using total and radiative heat-flux gauges at 0.4 m height and five Type K thermocouples along the centerline. Separation distance dominated façade thermal demand. Under ambient conditions and 0 cm separation distance, the flame attached to the wall and convection-dominated loading occurred, with peak total heat fluxes of 24 kW/m 2 for 1 kg and 35 kW/m 2 for 2 kg, producing wall temperatures of about 260°C and 290°C. At 30 cm, luminous stand-off reduced heat flux to 14 kW/m 2 and temperatures to 130°C–160°C, while at 50 cm, flame detachment limited exposure to about 6 kW/m 2 and 60°C–80°C. Wind reduced wall-residence time, promoted lift-off and reduced low-height temperature peaks by 30%–60%. Overall, small setbacks under low wind produced the most hazardous façade exposure, whereas larger clearances reduced convective impingement and supported defensible-space guidance for façades.
DOI: 10.1177/07349041261501967
Institution: UNSW Canberra
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,150
OpenAlex ID: W7225449018
FWCI:
Cites: 60
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Related to: 10