Landscaping, fire-resistant roofing and walls, upgraded
windows and sprinkler systems can help protect homes and
commercial buildings in areas prone to wildfires. Property
owners who choose to rebuild once wildfires are put out
can reduce future losses by rebuilding stronger and safer.
The International Code Council offers the following tips
to protect property from wildfires.
Low or no cost tips
Reevaluate your landscaping. Create a
space of 100 feet or greater around your house - firefighters
call this defensible space - to limit the risk of fire
jumping from vegetation to the building. Approximate cost:
$0 if you do it yourself; labor costs if you hire out
the job.
Move wood piles and other combustible
materials away from your house, garage and other buildings.
$0 if you do it yourself; labor costs if you hire out
the job.
Thin out shrubs and bushes and remove
dead vegetation. $0 if you do it yourself; labor costs
if you hire out the job.
Cut back dead or dying tree limbs, especially
those that overhang the roof, and keep all vegetation
at least 10 feet away from the chimney. $0 if you do it
yourself; labor costs if you hire out the job.
Mow the grass and cut back low-to-ground
vegetation (ivy, vines, weeds) to three to six inches
high. $0 if you do it yourself; labor costs if you hire
out the job.
Keep 12 to 18 inches of bare ground surrounding
the house and other buildings. $0 if you do it yourself;
labor costs if you hire out the job.
Keep areas around the house clear so
emergency vehicles have easy access. No cost.
Ask your local building or fire department
about developing a fire protection plan so you know what
to do in case of a wildfire. No cost.
Affordable and higher cost tips
To better withstand flying embers and
debris, build roofs out of fire-retardant materials such
as tile or roof coverings identified as Class A or steel.
Approximate cost over traditional roofing materials: $2,500
(based on a two-story, 2,000 sq. ft. home).
Use tempered or multiple pane windows
to reduce heat and protect against wind and debris that
can break windows and allow fire to enter the home. Approximate
cost: about 20% more than non-tempered or single pane
windows.
Install residential fire sprinkler systems
to extinguish wildfires that enter the home and keep fires
that start inside from spreading to surrounding wildland
areas. Approximate cost $1.50 - $2 per sq. ft. ($3,000-$4,000
based on a two-story, 2,000 sq. ft. home).
When putting up exterior walls or siding,
use fire-resistant building materials. Approximate cost:
$9,000 (based on a two-story, 2,000 sq. ft. home with
brick veneer).
All costs are approximate, may not include labor and may
vary due to local economic conditions.
The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC),
developed by the International Code Council, contains guidelines
to build safer and smarter in areas prone to wildfires.
In addition to state fire marshal regulations, these guidelines
can be used to provide a safer home for you and your family.
Building safety and fire prevention professionals, architects,
engineers and other with expertise in construction in wildfire
areas contributed to the development of the code.
The International Code Council, a membership association
dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops
the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings,
including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties
and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes
developed by the International Code Council.
