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Wildfire Resistant Home

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Wildfire Resistant Home

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Technical Description

Wildfire damage can be minimized by designing landscaping to include “defensible space,” using noncombustible materials to block embers from entering vulnerable areas such as soffits and under decks and porches, and choosing fire-resistant roofing materials and double-pane tempered glass windows. In extreme fire hazard areas, use exterior wall coverings, such as stucco, brick, or stone veneer. Use unvented roofs and crawl spaces to reduce entry points for embers. If roof or crawl space vents are installed, cover the openings with mesh to keep out burning embers. Use spark arrestors on chimneys to help stop the spread of embers from fireplaces.

Alternate Terms

Advanced Wildfire Protection
Wildfire Protection System

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.