Home Hardening

 

As a homeowner, you are not powerless in your defense against wildfires. By taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention, you can significantly increase your safety and your home’s likelihood of survival during a catastrophic wildfire event.

The actions you take to reduce the risk on your property before a fire occurs can make all the difference.

Hardening a home describes the process of reducing a home’s risk to wildfire by using non-combustible building materials, keeping the area around your home free of debris and taking steps to prevent embers from entering the home.

Embers pose the greatest threat to a home. These fiery little pieces of wood shoot off from the main fire and get carried to other areas by fast-moving air currents. A high-intensity fire can produce a blizzard of embers. Some can travel more than a mile before landing. They can get into the smallest places and easily start a fire that can burn down an entire home. 

The materials you use to construct your home can determine whether your home will survive a wildfire. While you may not be able to accomplish all the measures listed below, each will increase your home’s chance of survival. Here are a few tips for fire resistant home construction.

 

 

 

Roof and Gutters

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Roofing Materials 

 

Eaves and Soffits

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Under Eaves 

 

Exterior Walls

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Coatings

 

Windows

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Skylights 

 

Vents

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Embers 

 

Decks, Fencing and Skirting

For more information, check out this NFPA Fact Sheet on Decks, NFPA Fact Sheet on Fences and NFPA Fact Sheet on Ember Ignited Decks 

 

Exterior sprinklers can be used to supplement home hardening practices. See this NFPA Fact Sheet on Sprinklers.

 

For more information check out our brochure Fire Resistant Construction Materials and Be Embers Aware.

 

 

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