The comparative demonstration will show how design and landscape choices affect whether wildfires will spread to buildings.
Richburg, South Carolina, October 26th / PRNewswire / — The Fire Prevention Officers Department of the California Fire Chiefs Association ( CalChiefs ) and the Insurance Business and Home Safety Institute ( IBHS ) will host a live burning demonstration to showcase how choices surrounding residences affect a home's vulnerability to wildfires. This demonstration will compare two adjacent buildings that will be tested under controlled wildfire conditions. One building will implement key elements of the voluntary, science-based “ Wildfire Prepared Home ™” standards, which include a 5-foot area free from combustible materials; the other building will contain common vulnerabilities that could provide pathways for embers, flames, and radiant heat to ignite the house.
CalChiefs Chairman Bernard Molloy II stated: "Wildfire resilience begins long before a fire reaches the community. This demonstration allows homeowners, fire department leaders, and community decision-makers to see firsthand how practical disaster mitigation measures can enhance residential areas' ability to withstand wildfires. Our goal is to turn this awareness into action before the next fire occurs."
As this event takes place, California continues to advance measures for wildfire resilience, including new requirements for the area within the first five feet around residences, which is commonly referred to as the "fuel zone." The California Forestry and Fire Protection Commission (CalFire) supports efforts to reduce combustible materials within the first five feet around buildings. At the same time, the regulations of Code California and the standards set by NFPA 800 are two separate initiatives.
The proposed regulations in Board establish basic standards for defensive spaces, allowing the retention of certain qualified and maintained vegetation in some areas within Zone. The Wildfire Prepared Home standards in IBHS are more stringent, requiring that there be no combustible materials or vegetation within the first five feet around residences. Research in IBHS indicates that this immediate vicinity is particularly important, as embers and flames can ignite materials near buildings and create pathways for the fire to spread to vulnerable structural components. Therefore, IBHS continues to support designating the first five feet as a completely non-combustible zone as the strongest measure to block these pathways.
IBHS Chief Engineer Anne Cope stated: "The proposed Zone 0 regulations in California are an important step forward. Our research supports keeping the first five feet of space free from any combustible materials and vegetation, while also addressing the vulnerabilities of rooftops, vents, and other building components. By combining these measures, we can reduce the chances of embers and flames igniting residences."
This on-site burning demonstration will also emphasize that wildfire resilience is not solely related to individual buildings. While it is crucial to reduce the vulnerability of residential properties themselves and their immediate surroundings, the effects are even greater when these measures are replicated across adjacent properties and throughout the entire community.
IBHS, President and CEO, Roy Wright stated: "A house is not isolated when facing a wildfire. The situation at one property can affect the next, so disaster mitigation must be carried out gradually, from a single house or a neighborhood to an entire community. When homeowners in a community reduce the vulnerabilities of their residences and the surrounding areas, these collective actions can decrease the chances of ignition and help limit the spread of fire from one property to another."
To transform these individual actions into the resilience of the entire community, it is necessary for all those who influence the construction, maintenance, and protection of housing to work together in coordination.
California State Fire Chief Daniel Berlant stated: "To build a California that is more resilient to wildfires, it requires joint action from homeowners, builders, local leaders, and fire departments at all levels. Demonstrations like this help to illustrate why the decisions we make before wildfires strike are so important. The more we can reduce the vulnerabilities of residences and their surroundings, the better equipped our communities will be to withstand wildfires."
Welcome to view our digital media package to access more wildfire resources, research, and videos from the IBHS combustion demonstration.
About the Insurance Business and Family Safety Research Institute ( IBHS )
The mission of IBHS is to conduct objective and scientific research in order to identify and promote effective measures to enhance the resilience of residences, businesses, and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss. For more information, please visit ibhs.org.
About Wildfire Prepared Home
Wildfire Prepared Home is a science-based wildfire mitigation certification program. This project is driven by the latest wildfire research from IBHS and provides California homeowners with a pathway to reduce wildfire risks by adopting proven, science-based mitigation measures. For more information, please visit wildfireprepared.org.
Regarding California Fire Chiefs Association ( CalChiefs ) Fire Marshal Section
California Fire Chiefs Association Fire Marshals Section collaborates with CalChiefs to promote the interests of the California fire prevention and firefighting service community. This department provides a forum for fire chiefs across the state and professionals in fire prevention to exchange best practices, address emerging issues, and strengthen fire safety and life protection in California.
Through training, professional development, advocacy, and collaboration, the department provides fire service leaders with the knowledge, resources, and connections necessary to protect communities and advance the development of California's fire service industry.
