Wildfire Solutions through Science

Ember Threat

•   Roof Covering

–  Noncombustible Covering •   Debris free is the key –  Roof Lines (complex vs simple roof)

–  Gutters –  Reentrant Corners

•   Openings

–  Vents, Garage Doors, Windows

Ember Exposures

Inspect and maintain (repair) bird stops

Debris underneath “gutter guard”

Ember entry through vents

Soffit and Eave area Ridge

Through-roof

Radiant and Direct Flame Contact Threat

•   Vertical Wall –  Combustible siding and windows

–  Potential interaction with other components on the wall (windows, eave, deck, etc.)

•   Topography –  Slope –  Setback

•   Fire spread to the building –  Fence, gazebos, etc.

–  Vegetation management , continuity of fuels

Firewood pile ignited. Radiant exposure to side of house.

Looking  down  slope  from  the  deck  

WPC, not 7A compliant

7A compliant

Combustible Decking

Fence attached to combustible siding

Can’t forget the area immediately next to the building

Thanks for your attention!

Tim Reinhold, treinhold@ibhs.org, www.disastersafety.org

Tim Smail, timothy.smail@srnl.doe.gov

Steve Quarles, steve.quarles@berkeley.edu http://firecenter.berkeley.edu http://www.extension.org/surving_wildfire

Gazebo

Detached Garage

Water staining on bottom of (wood plastic composite) deck boards

Long term performance of joist and wood and joist hanger?

Flame and Radiant Exposures