Denada Jushi
The risk of new construction in the capital
Tirana is growing with tall buildings and beautiful facades, but are they safe?
In September 2023, a newly built 10-story building in the area known as the former bus park in one of the most populated areas of the capital burned down in a matter of seconds. Although the cause was an electrical connection, what came to light was the problem of the construction materials used to make the facades presentable or to insulate noise. These materials expose the building in the event of a fire, the speed of its spread is immediate, becoming a very serious problem.
AN is a resident of the burned building and remembers every day the day she saw her house engulfed in flames:
Everything happened very quickly, the fire spread throughout the palace, the smoke and flames were huge.
According to the Technical Consultant at "Knauf lnsulation Albania", the facade accelerated the flames:
In these facades, the smallest spark of fire is helped by the system itself, which in the case of using inappropriate materials, as in the case of the building at the former Bus Park, the facade itself from the ignition of the thermal insulator, (rigid Polyurethane (PU), used as thermal insulator, are not suitable for use in facades, especially in ventilated ones. This incident could have been prevented very easily, if there had been laws in Albania for the use of non-flammable materials in buildings, and these laws had been implemented by the relevant company.
The construction institute, in the expertise they issued after the inspections, stated that the temperature reached over 700 degrees, damaging not only the facade but also the structure. The cause of such high heat was the facade material.
Regarding this fire, Jonuz Murataj, part of the firefighting team, says that the difficulties in such cases are numerous, starting from the position of the buildings, to the facades that leave no time for intervention because they ignite immediately.
According to the Tirana Fire Department, 2024 operational actions were carried out in 2246, of which 226 were fires in residential buildings. The main causes of the fires, according to them, are: gas cylinders, citizens' carelessness in installations and construction materials used in the buildings.
Facade construction materials.
When a citizen buys an apartment or house, they should not only look at the position of the entrance, the neighborhood, etc., but equally important is the type of construction materials used in these buildings.
A high price for a home does not only mean the neighborhood and the position of the entrance, but also the type of construction materials used in these buildings.
New constructions using insulation materials such as polystyrene (EPS – Expanded Polystyrene) or other similar materials may have some risks and impacts that need to be considered, especially if they are not used and maintained properly.
According to Engineer Pampuri, polystyrene is a flammable material and can contribute to the spread of fire.
In modern construction, polystyrene is often covered with protective layers, but if these layers are damaged or neglected during construction, hazards can arise. Fires involving polystyrene can release toxic fumes, including carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases, which put the lives of citizens at risk.
Materials used in construction that can increase fire risk include several main categories. Some of these materials are popular due to their low cost and ease of installation, but they can become dangerous under certain conditions, especially during a fire.
Flammable thermal insulation materials such as: Polystyrene (EPS – Expanded Polystyrene and XPS – Extruded Polystyrene), or Polyurethane (PU).
Construction companies are using these materials because of their low cost.
Materials such as polystyrene (known as “fish bread”) are cheaper compared to other insulating materials, such as rock or glass wool or other materials classified as A1 and A2 in terms of fire resistance. This attracts companies that want to minimize costs for construction projects.
Another reason is ease of installation.
Lack of awareness
In some cases, builders may not be fully informed about the dangers of flammable materials.
Sinjalizo addressed the Municipality of Tirana, which says that from 2017-2024 it has co-financed 157 thermal efficiency projects and 35 are still in process. According to this institution, thermal insulation facades help to have a positive impact on the preservation of the building, but does not say whether inspections are carried out or if a risk has been identified from them.
Cases in the world
The most famous case in the world is that of Grenfell Tower in London on June 14, 2017, where 72 people lost their lives. Another case occurred in France on May 14, 2012. The fire spread quickly due to unsuitable materials used in the facade.
Ornela Çuçi says that after these tragic cases, countries like the United Kingdom, or EU countries have taken strict measures to address the risks associated with the use of flammable materials in buildings, especially after some major disasters. These measures include bans, new regulations, and strict inspections of existing buildings.
The European Union (EU) has set strict standards for the fire resistance of building materials, which are classified according to their flammability rating (Euroclass: A1 to F). Materials with lower ratings are prohibited in high-rise buildings and public facilities.
Rehabilitation of existing buildings
After the Grenfell Tower fire in London, countries like Germany and the Netherlands offered subsidies to replace the facades of buildings built before the implementation of new regulations, for example;
- Mandatory fire resistance testing for all building materials before certification
- Regular inspections of existing buildings and rehabilitation planning for those using unsuitable materials
- Subsidies or public funds to assist building owners in replacing hazardous materials
- Public awareness and training on fire safety.
What about Albania?
According to experts or engineers involved in construction in Albania, there is a need to improve legislation and set strict standards for construction materials.
Engineer Eraldo Pampuri suggests banning highly flammable materials (such as polystyrene or polyurethane) in multi-storey buildings, public buildings and high-density areas; using European standards (Euroclass) for classifying materials and creating an inspection task force with a specialized group to inspect existing buildings to ensure that the materials used comply with the standards.
Meanwhile, for expert Çuçi, Albania must adopt best practices, follow international examples such as the EU and the United Kingdom, to improve legislation and the implementation of regulations.
Meanwhile, public awareness and training on fire safety are now a new need and challenge that development has brought to the country. But this requires everyone's cooperation.
Builders have an obligation to provide their "clients" - citizens - with safe housing. On the other hand, when paying the builder, citizens should be more demanding about the quality of construction.
Citizens pay taxes so that the state can provide laws and controls to builders to live in safe housing.
It is the right of every individual to have a safe home.
