Page 88 - Fire Insurance Ebook IC 57

Fire and Consequential Loss Insurance

the whole building very rapidly by spreading to the upper storeys.

(ii) Water used in extinguishing a fire on one of the upper floors may
damage property on those lower, either by flowing through floor
openings or by percolating through floors.

(iii) In the event of one of the upper floors being weakened by fire and
giving way, additional weight is thrown on the floor below, which,
too, may collapse with similar results. Moreover, if the floors be of
wood, they add fuel to the fire.

(iv) Fire-fighting is rendered more difficult, not only because of the
inaccessibility to upper floors, the difficulty of salvaging plant,
machinery and stocks.

(v) Another hazard, is that of enhanced exposure risk, especially where
the building has many wall openings. Window openings on
successive floors which are just below each other help spreading
fire from one storey to another.

Size :

The greater the size of the building, the greater the fire hazard. There
is more value at risk in a large building than in a small one. Because of
the size, it is more difficult to locate and fight an outbreak of fire.

Silent Risk

n A risk is deemed to be silent when it is not used for manufacturing
purposes.

n A lower rate of premium is charged for the silent period but a
warranty is inserted stating that during the currency of the policy,
the said premises are silent and that no part of the machinery is

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