HOME DEVELOPMENT GUIDE - FireSmart

HOMEDEVELOPMENTGUIDE

FireSmart Canada acknowledges the Institute for Business andHome Safety for providing the content for this publication.

HOME DEVELOPMENT GUIDEWILDFIRE REALITYWildfires are a natural part of our ecosystems. Withoutwildfire, the landscape loses its diversity. Wildfires recyclenutrients, help plants reproduce and create a mosaic ofvegetation that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife.By choosing to extend our lifestyles and communitiesfurther into forested areas, we become more exposed tothe danger of wildfire. Living where wildfires can occur putsyour homes at risk, but it is possible to live safely with thisnatural event.Development standards play a significant role in reducingthe potential impact a wildfire will have on a community. Abuilding is more likely to be destroyed in a wildfire when itis located in a high-density area where fire is able to easilytransfer from building to building. The potential for damageintensifies when flammable building materials are used.The recommendations in this guide will reduce the risk ofwildfire to your home and neighbourhood.

ROOFING MATERIAL AND DESIGNThe roof is the most vulnerablecomponent of your home. Sparksand burning embers from a wildfirecan travel long distances and quicklyignite flammable roofing material.Consider these guidelines whendesigning and maintaining your home.CLASS A:High Resistanceto FireDESIGNA simple roof design will reducethe number of locations on yourroof where combustible debrisand embers can accumulate.Proper maintenance of dormersand other complex roof features iscritical with a complex roof design.Maintenance will help protectfrom ignition. Install flashing atdormer roof surface junction (whencombustible siding is used).Even with a non-combustible roof,there are locations where the roofcovering meets another material.Debris can accumulate at theselocations, and so can wind-blownembers.Roof vents should be screened orASTM fire rated. Soffit vents interactwith roof vents as part of required roofventilation and will actually pullembers in during a wildfire, and shouldbe screened or ASTM fire rated as well.ThroughRoof VentDormerCOMPLEX ROOFRe-entrantCorner2

MATERIALSMAINTENANCEThe fire rating of roof coveringrelies on the entire roof assembly(sheeting, drip edges, end caps)to offer the rated protection.It is important to inspect locations thatare potential “weak links” on your roof(for example, wood shingle siding on adormer next to a Class A roof covering),or areas with an exposed wall junction,open entry points under the roofcovering, exposed combustiblesurfaces above gutters, or missingdrip edge.Roofing material tested for flammabilityis assigned a classification:Class A – high resistance to fireClass B – moderate resistance to fireClass C – low resistance to fireA Class A fire-rated roof assemblyoffers the best protection. Examplesof Class A roofing materialinclude clay tile, concrete tile,metal and asphalt shingles.Class C roofing has the lowestresistance to fire.Untreated wood shakes create adangerous combination of combustiblematerial and crevices for embers orsparks to enter.SIMPLE ROOFRidge VentRoof features such as skylightsand solar panels, could be an entryor accumulation point for wind-blownembers. Keep these featuresclear of combustible debris andproperly maintained.Your roof is a large surface wherecombustible debris can accumulate.When a wildfire is threatening yourhome, wind-blown embers can alsoland on your roof and ignite thisdebris, potentially putting your homeat risk. Clean your roof of combustibledebris regularly.Branches overhanging your roof willresult in more debris accumulation onyour roof, in your gutters and nearyour home.As shingles age and curl more openingsare exposed and may increase placesfor embers to accumulate. Inspect yourroof often and replace or repair anyshingles that are in poor condition.3

SIDING, VENTS AND OPENINGSWith the exception of the roof,siding material is the structuralcomponent most vulnerable towildfire. Combustible debris canaccumulate at the vents andopenings on your home and beignited by embers during a wildfire.Consider these guidelines whendesigning and maintaining your home.Fibre CementSidingStucco SidingBrick Siding4DESIGNA simple exterior wall design will reducethe number of locations for combustibledebris and embers to accumulate.Siding is vulnerable when it ignitesand when flames or embersget into the cavity behind thesiding. With inadequate groundto-siding clearance, accumulatedembers can ignite combustiblesiding directly. 15 centimetres ofground-to-siding non-combustibleclearance is recommended.Unscreened vents can allow heat andembers to enter a building and ignite.Use multi-pane, tempered glasswindows, and close them when awildfire threatens. Install windowscreening to improve performanceagainst radiant heat exposures andto minimize the size and number ofembers that could enter the home.Ensure garage doors are properlyfitted and maintained (weatherstripping) to ensure there arenot gaps for ember entry.

MATERIALSMAINTENANCESidingSome types of constructionmaterials, such as vinyl siding canmelt when exposed to hightemperatures, allowing the fire toreach the underlying wallcomponents and penetrate theinterior of the building.Examine your siding for locationswhere embers could accumulate orlodge. Maintaining and removingcombustible debris (such as lumber,stored vehicles, branches, grassand leaves) and firewood near theexterior walls will reduce a building’svulnerability to ignition during a wildfire.Stucco, brick, fibre cement boards/panels and poured concrete all offersuperior fire resistance.Ensure your siding is free of gaps,holes, or other areas where emberscould accumulate, lodge or penetrate.Prioritize repairing any vulnerabilitiesidentified on the exterior walls.VentsInstall non-combustible material forall vents. Should be 3 millimetrescreening or ASTM fire rated vents.Metal products are recommendedfor vents and vent flashing.SidingIt is important to inspect your ventsand openings regularly to ensure thevents are in good repair and removeany accumulated combustible debris.Inspect your home for anyvulnerabilities to embers15 centimetresScreened VentGroundRidge VentStatic Vent

GUTTERS AND EAVESThe gutters on your home providea place for combustible debris toaccumulate and open eaves create anentry point for sparks and embers.Consider these guidelines whendesigning and maintaining your home.DESIGNSelect a boxed-in or soffited-eavedesign for your home. Exposedor open eaves create an entrypoint for sparks and embers.Install a drip edge at the roof edgeabove the gutters to protect anyexposed roof sheathing or fascia.Gutter GuardNo Gutter ProtectionWith Gutter Guard6

MATERIALSMAINTENANCESelect gutters and downspoutsconstructed of non-combustiblematerials such as galvanizedsteel, copper and aluminum.Ensure metal drip edge is in placeas part of the roof assembly.Regularly remove debris from yourgutters as sparks and embers caneasily ignite these dry materials.Consider screening your gutters withmetal mesh to reduce the amountof debris that can accumulate.To reduce the need for frequentcleaning and maintenance, usea noncombustible leaf or gutterguard. This guard will prevent theaccumulation of combustible debris.Leaf and gutter guards can includemetal mesh screens and metalhoods that fit into the gutter.It is important to regularly inspectyour gutters and eaves to identifyany vulnerable spots or areasrequiring attention. Keep theseareas clear of combustible debrisand properly maintained.Open eaves create an entry pointfor sparks and embers. Selectnoncombustible materials, suchas fibre-cement board or stucco.7

DECKS AND PORCHESThe materials used to build thedeck, combustible materials youstore under your deck, and thevegetation around it all contribute tohow vulnerable your deck will be.Consider these guidelines whendesigning and maintaining your home.DESIGNSlotted deck surfaces allowcombustible debris to accumulatebelow the deck. There should beaccess to spaces below the deckso debris can easily be removed.For railings, use metal or temperedglass and select non-combustiblepatio furniture and decorations.Ensure there is flashing, ornoncombustible material atthe deck/house wall junction ifcombustible siding is used.TemperedGlass RailingMetal RailingSheath the underside of the deck andbalcony with fire-resistant sheathing asthis will act as a shield againstembers. Non-combustible surfaceshould be under the deck as well, andextend for 1.5 metres out fromperimeter of deck. Access and regularcleaning under deck is required, evenif it is enclosed. No combustiblesshould be stored under the deck.Surround the deck with noncombustible material, such as rockmulch, gravel, brick, concrete paversor patio stones to prevent vegetativegrowth.Non-combustiblematerialFirewood piles stored far from home8

MATERIALSMAINTENANCEMost deck boards are combustible,including dimensional wood, plasticand wood-plastic composites.Removal of combustible debris andvegetation on, around and underdecks and other attached structuresis a key factor in reducing vulnerabilityto ignition during a wildfire.Select fire rated composite deckingmaterial for your deck and sheaththe underside of the deck with noncombustible sheathing, such as fibrecement board or metal screening.Maintenance is very important,even if the deck is sheathed.Check the condition of combustiblewood deck boards and replaceor repair boards that are showingsigns of rot or have large cracks.LAWN FURNITURE ANDDECORATIVE ITEMSMove combustible patio furniture,cushions, decorative pieces andbrooms inside or as far awayfrom the house as possible.Furniture inside oraway from houseFully enclose deck withnon-combustible sheathing9

FENCINGWooden fences and boardwalks createa direct line to your home and cancontribute to the spread of wildfire.Consider these guidelines whendesigning and maintaining your home.CombustibleWoodenSlat FenceDESIGNAvoid attaching fences and wallsconstructed of combustible materialsdirectly to your home or building.Use a metal gate or non-combustiblefence panel that is at least 1.5 metres(5 feet) from the furthest projection(overhang, roof, etc) of the house.Avoid fences that have gaps, suchas wooden slat fences, becausefire embers can become lodged inthe gaps and ignite the fence.Non-combustibleMetal FenceMetalGate1.5 metres10Wooden Slat

MATERIALSMAINTENANCEWood fences offer zero fire resistanceand can act as a wick directly toyour home. Use non-combustiblematerials such as, metal, chainlink, metal privacy slats, concrete,stone or masonry when designingand building your fence.Monitor the condition of a combustiblewood fence closely. Repair or replaceany fence panels or posts that areshowing signs of rot or damage.If a wood fence is installed, ensurethere is at least a 1.5 metre noncombustible break between the woodportion of the fence to your home. Forexample, a metal gate with a stonewall to break up the combustible fenceand protect your home.StoneMetalCombustible debris near the fenceor wall should be cleared regularlyand the lawn well maintained.The type of vegetation that is plantednext to a fence or wall should beconsidered, and the vegetationshould be maintained regularly.Chain link11