SEGURANÇA CONTRA INCÊNDIO DE FACHADAS E COBERTURAS VEGETADAS DE EDIFÍCIOS EM MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

This work examines fire safety in buildings equipped with green façades and roofs— architectural strategies increasingly adopted for their environmental benefits and potential to enhance urban sustainability. In light of accelerating climate change and rapid urbanization, such systems have been implemented to improve thermal comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency within the built environment. Despite their widely recognized thermal and ecological advantages, the fire performance of these systems remains insufficiently explored, particularly in Brazil, where specific regulations addressing this issue are still largely absent. This research is grounded in the assumption that components such as vegetation, substrate, and structural support materials significantly influence the flammability potential of green systems, especially in cases of inadequate maintenance or inappropriate plant species selection. The primary objective of this study is to propose guidelines that support the safe application and regulation of vegetated façades and roofs in the Brazilian context, with particular emphasis on the state of Minas Gerais. The methodological approach includes a comprehensive review of national and international literature, comparative analysis of international fire safety standards—such as NFPA (United States), the GRO Code (United Kingdom), and ANSI/SPRI VF-1—and case studies of fire incidents involving sustainable buildings. Based on this investigation, three Technical Instructions are proposed for the Minas Gerais Military Fire Department (CBMMG), aimed at informing regulatory frameworks and guiding professional practice. The proposed recommendations encompass the selection of plant species with low flammability, the use of predominantly inorganic substrates, the implementation of automated irrigation systems, periodic maintenance protocols, and effective vegetation control in critical areas. These measures are intended to reduce ignition risks and inhibit fire propagation, thereby fostering a design approach that reconciles sustainability with fire safety requirements. Ultimately, this research contributes to advancing the technical and regulatory landscape in Brazil, offering a foundation for the development of safer, more resilient, and environmentally responsible architectural practices.