Starting the Conversation: How to Design Safer Homes in Fire-Prone Areas
In the wake of the catastrophic LA fires, our hearts go out to the people who lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. As Californians who deal in homes every day, but even more importantly, as friends to those directly affected by this devastation, we are feeling the weight of a significant and heart-wrenching loss.
Since the fires began, our team has returned to a question we are committed to answering: How can we support communities in fire-prone areas in the future? Are there any fire protection best practices for building a home that we can responsibly recommend? While we understand there’s no perfect solution–as the NYT aptly described it, this recent disaster was driven by a “lethal confluence of wind and drought”–we would like to start a conversation by sharing what we know about fire protection. We welcome any other industry professionals and those living in fire-prone areas to share your insights.
Let’s start with the basics: there is, unfortunately, no such thing as a fully fireproof home. However, there are some strategies that can be implemented to reduce risk. Our current philosophy is that you must put equal thought into the materials, detailing, and landscaping for the home, in addition to having a strong dialogue with your neighbors on your community's approach to fire resistance. This holistic approach can help increase the odds of protecting the lives, homes, and property at stake in the event of a crisis.
Next, we’re sharing some more specific dos and don’ts we’ve been thinking about. Though we anticipate that this list will continue to evolve, we are planning to make these guidelines a standard for homes we design in fire-prone areas.
1. Select a blend of fire-resistant materials.
Material choices can impact safety in the event of a fire. It’s important to choose fire-resistant materials for each element of the home so that all the elements can work together to form an effective fire-resistant structure. Homes are only as strong as their weakest element–because once the fire penetrates the interiors, it’s nearly impossible for the structure to survive.
We recommend:
Triple-pane windows. All other fire-resistant measures are undermined if the windows melt and fire gets in.
Roofs made with non-combustible Class A products. These products provide a layer of defense through more fire-resistant materials–typically metal, slate, clay, or TPO membranes.
Walls made of stuccos, masonry, metal, stone, or pre-charred wood. The same idea behind Class-A-product roofing applies here.
Eliminating attic soffit vents. These vents are responsible for many house fires because embers get blown into the attics beyond any non-combustible materials. Once the interiors start to go, the fire will take over.
2. Landscape with protection in mind.
A well-designed landscape can be beautiful, but it can also act as a shield. By adding another layer of defense, fire can be prevented from reaching a home–or slowed to grant more time for emergency responders to arrive.
Our landscaping approach includes:
Choosing fire-resistant plants. Selecting plants with a higher moisture content will reduce the amount of combustible material around a property.
Reducing planting adjacent to sthe tructure. By keeping vegetation a distance away from a home, you can minimize the risk of fire spreading from plants to the structure.
Hardscaping to create a defensible space around the house. Build walls out of concrete or CMU blocks with stucco finishes around a property, which will act as a strong barrier to help contain flames and protect the home.
3. Have conversations as a community about preventative measures.
Fires don’t respect property lines. While there are some effective strategies that involve considering the overall placement of a home on a lot, most people live in fairly populated communities where the building orientation is already determined by the property's setbacks. That’s why we recommend proactive conversations amongst neighbors about prevention methods–and holding one another accountable to follow through on them.
We recommend neighbors engage with one another to discuss the following:
Does the community have adequate access to emergency responders? It’s essential that fire trucks and other emergency vehicles have easy access to all properties.
Is all landscaping being maintained regularly? All landscaping, in both common areas and individual lots, should be maintained to avoid the buildup of fallen leaves that can be blown against homes during severe wind.
Are all neighbors taking similar preventative measures for their homes? If not all neighbors participate, the chances of success for any preventative measures decrease.
We understand that resistance against future fires is both a collective effort and an ongoing process. While the strategies we’ve outlined today are the simplest and most straightforward approaches, our team is committed to studying additional ways to protect our communities moving forward. We plan to implement these features when building homes in fire-prone areas, understanding that even if we can’t guarantee a home’s safety 100%, we can play a part in improving its chances of fire resistance.
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As architects, we understand the vast responsibility that comes with our profession, especially in light of the growing challenges of wind, wildfire, and other unexpected natural disasters. Our team at Van Voorhis is committed to acting as faithful stewards of homes and communities through continuous education on strategies for creating safer, more resilient homes.
If you are in the process of rebuilding or planning for the future, please don’t hesitate to connect with us and see how we can support you.
