"dg" wrote in message ...
PVCu is fire resistant, but does burn and will give off potentially
dangerous fumes. I think the flashpoint is higher than wood, and IIRC it is
self extinguishing

I am aware of a number of instances though, where fires have spread more
quickly through soffits and eaves, because the PVCu melted/burned quicker
than wood and thus allowed flames to travel into the exposed roof spaces. I
recall a London council stopped using it after such an occurance, and
specified wood instead.

I also remember a fire close to home where a builders van caught fire on his
drive. The van was within 5 foot of the house and the flames licked the wall
up to the eaves and were close to a window.

Now the fire crew said that if the window had been plastic, then the flames
would have melted it and been in the house in no time. However, as it was
timber, all that happened was the frame charred and the outer DG unit pane
broke. Same for the soffit. Timber prevented a much worse situation occuring

It is not any more of a fire hazard than wood, but just remember it is
plastic and

Painting PVCu seems to defeat the object of using it in the first place!

dg

Hi Gents,

My query relates to a posting titled "Is this a daft idea?" I propose
extending a shallow (4.5") chimney breast by 2" to balance the breast
either side of a new fireplace. It doesn't seem worth getting it
plastered. In effect the piece of soffit will act as a new
corner-piece for the chimney breast. Well away from any direct heat.
I'll redo the coving and skirting board and then wallpaper. It's not
meant to be seen. The paint was only a suggestion for possibly
improving its fire-retardant properties.

Thanks again for your helpful and thought-provoking suggestions,

Alan

"Alan Darlington" wrote in message
om...
Hi Folks,

In another thread I was proposing to use a piece exterior UPVC soffit
on a job inside the living room. Someone then reminded me of the
potential fire hazard. This has made me think of the potential fire
hazard of UPVC soffits and plastic gutters and also the internal
coatings on my new double-glazing. Does anyone know if the
soffit/window coatings have any fire-retardant properties? Also,
would it be effective to use fire-retardant paint on the piece of
soffit board in the house?

Thanks in advance,

Alan