single wall contruction

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The thin, single wall construction found on the older "plantation" style home is preferred here, as it's simplicity allows the house to "breathe", and not have areas thru construction methods to trap moisture and start mold/dry rot in the walls.There are many types of building classification according to the Codes. Most common residential,construction as an R3, type V-NR, or single family, non rated, or no fire rating. Your common "tract" house found on the mainland. Really not much "fire resistance" other than the 1/2 inch Sheetrock inside. Usually wood siding on the exterior, and we all know how that burns. The interior drywall is not required by Code until you get into 1 hour protection. It is just a cheap way to keep the insulation in place, and to protect electrical wiring, which is a Code item. The plantation home fits into this category of housing, as the electrical wiring is within conduit, or "wire mold" type conduit.Then you have your next step up, which is 1 hour rated construction, which is usually a stucco, or other non flammable finish exterior, or 1/2 inch exterior gypsum drywall under siding, and 5/8 inch Sheetrock on the exterior walls and ceiling assembly. Most common in a higher density housing. Condo's and Townhomes will have the 1 hour protection means on "common" walls. It gets a higher class (IV, III, etc.) with the more "fireproof" materials you,use, or if you add fire sprinklers (AFES). In a lava flow situation, no construction type really works. For instance, for if you were to build a home out of CMU ( concrete masonry block), it may not catch fire and burn to the ground, but at the minimum the roof and everything inside would be gone, or the whole house may be covered. If your house encroaches on the setback requirements, the fire resistance along that particular wall may need a higher rating than the rest of the house. A common dense housing trick is to put one wall on the prop line, construct the wall to 1 hour standard with window opening size, number of vents, etc., and give that house a "maintenance" easement on the property next door. That does't happen here in Puna. The Codes are quite detailed, but this will give one a general idea, as well as if you look up the zoning for the neighborhood you are interested in, as that will also tell you what kind of housing is allowed, setbacks, etc.

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