Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We know how important your safety is and that many of us want to make sure the materials in our homes can keep us safe.
After all, isn’t that why houses aren’t made of paper?
But finding out this information and knowing if bricks can catch on fire or not proves tricky, and you find yourself searching and searching, but never getting the answer that you need!
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers for you! Just keep reading to find out if bricks can catch on fire and everything else you need to know about them.
Can Bricks Catch On Fire?
Let’s dive straight into it! Bricks can’t catch on fire. We know that is a welcome relief to most of you!
There is more to it than that, so let’s explore a little deeper into bricks and their chances of catching on fire.
When we talk about the chances of something catching on fire, we are referring to its flammability.
This is a point where the component no longer continues in its natural state and the structure, shape, or color starts to change.
We also have the flashpoint, which is the temperature when an object catches on fire.
If this flashpoint is low, then the object has a higher rate of flammability where it will catch on fire and burn.
So what does that mean for bricks? Well, bricks have a high flash point and low chances of flammability, meaning the chances of them catching on fire are low.
Bricks are used in houses and construction because they are considered to be excellent cladding!
They have a minimal chance of burning, meaning you can rest a little easier in your brick home.
However, like with all things, there is a chance that bricks can catch fire.
For this to happen, your bricks would need to be exposed to a high temperature for a long, consecutive period.
This would allow the bricks to reach those high temperatures and burn.
Don’t worry, we’ve got more information on the temperatures needed and what happens to bricks in a fire!
At What Temperature Do Bricks Burn?
So what temperature does it take for bricks to burn? Well, this depends on the state of your bricks.
When bricks are being made, they need a temperature of 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit! This heat turns the raw state of brick into the finished product that we see used in construction.
Once your bricks are made though, it will take a lot more to burn them! You would need a temperature of 3782 degrees Fahrenheit for the bricks to burn, that is seriously hot!
And if you want the bricks to melt, it needs to be even hotter at 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter!
These are seriously high temperatures and ones you would expect if a fire had been raging for hours or days.
In a shorter fire or one that isn’t that hot, you can expect your bricks to hold their own!
What Happens To Bricks In A Fire?
When bricks are manufactured, they will be exposed to fire to make them. Once in a fire, raw bricks will burn.
Their color, states, internal latent heat energy, and strength curves change.
These changes transform the bricks into the complete state that we see used in construction across the globe.
They will harden thanks to the rise in compressive strength in the fire. They will absorb the heat and use that to form a solid brick ready for use once it has cooled.
When bricks are made and exposed to heat, it will take a long time for the fire to change them.
You might notice that your bricks change color, most often they will turn black from the heat and soot in the fire.
Over a longer period, they may start to change shape, and in extreme heat, they will start to melt!
It is unlikely that many of us will see bricks melt as they need a temperature of over 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit for it to happen, but still, it is worth knowing what will happen.
Can I Use Bricks In A Fire Pit?
Now, you might be wondering if you can use bricks in a fire pit, or as part of your fire given that it takes so much for them to burn.
Well, the answer is, yes, you can use bricks in a fire pit! Bricks are a cheaper option that you can use in your fire pit to help uphold a good level of fire.
Bricks will absorb less water and the water vapor should pass through them, making them a fire option and allowing you to enjoy your fire pit with ease.
Bricks have previously been used to build fireplaces for this reason too.
They can withstand hotter temperatures and act as good cladding, so you can use them around fires without too much of a worry.
Just be sure that you don’t have a fire burning for a long period as this is when bricks are at a greater risk of catching fire and burning.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Bricks can catch on fire, but the chances of this happening in our daily lives are incredibly small.
Thanks to their high melting and burning points, bricks are considered pretty non-flammable and are safe to have near fires.
It would take a fire burning for hours and hours without a break for there to be a chance that your bricks would catch fire, burn, or melt.
Be sure to keep an eye on any fires you have near bricks though, just to be safe!
