Materials, techniques, and safety
A lot of people look for fire preventative houses when moving or building a custom home. How do we create these preventative houses and help our clients feel safer?
First, we need to understand how fires affect houses. Research shows that the cause of house fires is primarily from embers. Embers can get into the house through any slightly open crevice, including open windows, cracks in garage doors, and eaves on a porch (LAist). When embers enter, the problem then moves to radiant heat and become direct flames. According to Recovery LA County, "Proper construction and landscaping can help buildings withstand windblown embers by minimizing the likelihood of flames touching the building or any attachments and reducing the chance of fire spreading" (LA County).
Building a fire-resistant home requires the right materials and building techniques. LAist states, "In an analysis of the damage from the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which burned in the Santa Monica Mountains, Syphard found that building materials, especially double-paned windows, enclosed eaves and vent screens, played a large role in determining which homes survived."
The best materials to look at when fire-proofing your home include (LAist):
- Install a Class-A, non-wooden roof.
- Create a 5-foot-wide, ember-resistant barrier around your house by removing mulch, wood chips, plants and other flammable items.
- Put fine mesh screens over vents to catch embers.
- Install a 6-inch tall strip of non-flammable material around decks and walls.
- Enclose eaves, which easily trap embers and allow them to ignite roofs.
Additionally, installing sprinkler systems on the roof can help in some situations.
Addition Building & Design is committed to helping everyone feel safer with a fire-resistant home. Using the materials listed above with the best professionals in the business is how we help our community.
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