BUILDING Resilience: Fire-Resistant Design

Designing fire-resistance is essential for protecting your property, as it slows the spread of flames, reduces heat, and helps prevent embers from igniting structures. Building or retrofitting a wildfire-resistant home involves making strategic choices to improve your home's chances of withstanding a nearby fire. Here are some tips to help safeguard your property:

  • Roof and Gutters

    • Choose roofing materials like metal roofing, clay or cement tiles, or Class A fire-rated asphalt shingles that resist fire.

    • Use non-combustible or fire-resistant insulation such as rockwool or equivalent products.

    • Keep your roof and gutters clean of leaves and debris that could catch fire.

    • Fill the gaps between roof tiles.

  • Vents and Openings

    • Whenever possible, install or retrofit existing attic, soffit, basement, foundation, and gable vents with approved fire-resistant vents

    • Add fine mesh screens (1/8 inch or smaller) to vents to block flying embers.

    • Seal gaps around doors, windows, and siding to keep embers from sneaking in.

  • Siding and Walls

    • This can include using non-combustible materials such as masonry, steel, or concrete.

    • However, there are cost-effective prevention methods you can implement.

    • Use fire-resistant siding, like metal, stucco, or fiber cement products, to protect your walls.

    • If you’re building new, use fire-resistant insulation. If you’re renovating and have a chance to remove the drywall, do the same.

    • Add type-x or even type-c gypsum wall boards on the interior or even on the exterior under the siding (fire-rated drywall)

    • Close up any gaps where embers could settle.

  • Windows and Doors

    • Install dual-pane or tempered glass windows for better heat resistance.

    • Use solid, fire-rated doors and make sure they close tightly.

  • Decks and Attachments

    • Build decks with fire-resistant materials like composite decking or concrete.

    • Keep the area underneath clear of anything flammable.

  • Landscaping Features

    • Use fire-resistant materials for fences and gates, especially if they’re attached to your home.

    • Store propane tanks and fuel sources at least 30 feet from your house and shield them with a non-flammable barrier.

  • Sprinklers

    • Sprinklers for every interior room

    • Consider installing outdoor sprinklers to wet your roof, walls, and yard during a fire.

With these steps, you’re not just protecting your home—you’re also giving yourself and your family peace of mind.

Creating Defensible Space on your property:

Defensible space is like giving your home a protective shield against wildfires. It’s a buffer zone you create between your house and the wildland areas around it. This space can help slow or stop a fire, keep flames and heat away from your home, and even make it easier for firefighters to help defend your property, increasing chances of survival.

In California, the recommendation is to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around your home. This space is divided into two zones:

  • Zone 1: The Lean, Clean, and Green Zone (0–30 feet from your home)

    • Clear out dead plants, grass, and weeds.

    • Keep tree branches trimmed at least 10 feet away from your house and other trees.

    • Move wood piles further away to Zone 2.

    • Remove or trim plants near windows that could catch fire.

    • Clean under decks and patios, keeping them free from debris and anything flammable.

    • Water and mow your lawn regularly to keep it short and healthy.

    • Do not park vehicles anywhere close to your home during this period. The tires and trims will catch fire and ignite the vehicle and cause a car fire that

  • Zone 2: The Reduced Fuel Zone (30–100 feet from your home)

    • Remove dead plants.

    • Mow grasses to 4 inches or less to reduce fire spread.

    • Space out shrubs and trees to prevent fire from jumping between them.

    • Make sure there’s vertical space between grass, shrubs, and tree branches to stop fires from climbing up.

    • Rake up fallen leaves, needles, and twigs to no more than 3 inches deep.

These simple steps go a long way in protecting your home and your community from wildfires.