Hardening a Structure
There are a number of actions residents can take to protect their home from wildfire. The first, of course, is to ensure that their home is surrounded by the appropriate Defensible Space, allowing firefighters a chance to approach and defend the structure. However, in major wildfires the extremely high winds created by the fire can create blowing ember storms that may lash out ahead of the fire. Burning embers weighing more than a pound have been reported more than a mile ahead of the fire front. These embers are the major cause of new ground fires and the ignition of homes protected by appropriate defensible space.
Homeowners and residents can use routine home maintenance to reduce the fire danger by paying additional attention to their structures. Further attention during remodeling or home improvement efforts can further improve the fire resistance of the structure. The list below is intended to help you survey your home and surroundings for potential fire hazards. Conditions in bold are preferable conditions. Details on specific problems and solutions can be found at references below.
ROOFS
1. Covering material: Class A
2. Roof system: Class A
3. Debris accumulation in gutters and other roof areas: none
4. Bird stops for clay barrel tiles: fully stopped
5. Combustible material at horizontal-vertical intersections/interfaces/overlaps: none
VENTS
1. Vent screens: present, 1/8 inch1
2. Vent screen material and openings: metal or fiberglass; 1/8 inch1.
3. Maintain pre-cut plywood panels vents covers to be used before evacuation. yes
EAVES
1. Soffit material: non-combustible (such as fiber-cement board)
2. Eave construction: boxed (no exposed rafters)
3. Vents (see VENTS above)
VEGETATION (0 to 10 ft from home)
1. Close to vents, soffits, windows: very limited vegetation
2. Type and size: ground cover/small, low-flammability shrubs
3. Condition: vigorous/green
4. Maintenance: Eliminate buildup of dead plant material, leaves, pine needles, etc.
WINDOWS
1. Glass panes: double on all external windows and sliding doors
2. Glass type: tempered
3. Coverings: storm shutters where tempered, double plane glass is not possible.
4. Pre-cut plywood panels for evacuation covers: yes
5. Screens: metal or fiberglass.
6. Drapes (inside): Heavy drapes with fire resistant backing (instead of thin, sheer panels)
DECKS
1. Surface: solid (non-combustible) or deck boards with gaps.
2. Combustible or debris accumulation under or on deck: no
3. Decay (rot): no (especially at intersection of floor boards with floor joists, and at external face plates).
4. Combustible furniture cushions, umbrellas, shades, mats, etc: no (remove during any fire danger)
FENCES
1. Within 10 feet of house: non-combustible (metal or cement block)
2. Combustible fence facings in contact with ground: no (eliminate easily ignited decay)
SIDING
1. Materials: non-combustible
2. Combustible materials: panel or lap. Lap siding: complex lap overlay
4. Open joints at edges (between door and trim): none or caulk-filled
OTHER
1. Debris accumulation in vulnerable areas (roofs, deck-wall, roof-wall, under deck/adjacent to wall cladding, gutters, at base of wooden fences, carports): none
2. Firewood stacked minimum of 20 ft from structure, fence or propane tank: yes
3. Propane tank: No vegetation, fence, or wood pile within 20 ft. yes
4. Propane tank: At least 30 ft from house: yes
5. Tree branches: At least 10 ft from any chimney or heating exhaust: yes
6. Fireplace: Smoke arrester on chimney: yes
7. Garage: Door fully closes and seals at bottom and sides: yes
8. Other structures (including RVs and mobile trailers: at least 30 ft from house: yes
9. Carport: clear of combustibles, covered boats, trailers, etc.: yes
10. Fire-fighting effectiveness: access for equipment and water supply: adequate driveway turn-arounds, 10,000 gals emergency water, external defensible space (PRC 4291).
Further details can be found at:
California's Wildland-Urban Interface Building Code Information
