For years, building codes have helped to protect your house from the
possibility of interior fires, but after witnessing all the destruction of
wildfires recently in Colorado, we have decided to give some insight into how
you can help your house withstand a massive but brief exterior attack with some
simple design decisions. We will have 5 different posts, highlighting different
design decisions you can make when building and maintaining a home, that may
save it from destruction.
First and foremost, it is important to know that firefighters quickly
classify structures into three basic categories when a fire is approaching:
Needs little or no attention (can survive on its own), needs protection, and
cannot be saved. It is in your best interest to be in the category that needs little
or no attention and to design to that classification.
We will start with the design of the site of your home, which is
ultimately most important and will take yearly maintenance in order to keep
your home safe. You start with your home and the 30 feet surrounding it,
otherwise known as Zone 1. Within Zone 1, the first 5-15 feet of your home need
to be covered by non-flammable ground cover, like water or rock gardens, raised
flower beds, patios, and stone walkways. The second part of Zone 1 allows the
ground to be covered with vegetation, but it needs to be low to the ground and
have space between each plant. All of the vegetation in this zone needs to be
able to hold substantial amounts of moisture and not contain high amounts of
sap or resin. If you really want vegetation, remember that a short, green lawn
will not carry fire, so if you keep it watered and cut, a lawn can protect your
home, but don’t have it within 5 feet of your home. Within Zone 2, the next
10-20 feet, the landscape really requires you to make sure that none of your
trees are touching and have at least 10 feet between the branches, as well as
the branches being trimmed up to the 10 ft mark. Zone 3 has no specific
distance and needs less maintenance, but it is smart to clear out dead
branches, fallen pine needles, and trim the underlying vegetation. This zone
really needs to be a transition point between your manicured Zone 2 and the
forest beyond.
Every year thereafter, you will need to make sure and keep the rock
area around your house clean of dead leaves and needles, as well as keep the
vegetation trimmed and short. Dead branches need to be removed immediately, and
trees need to be trimmed. Also, don’t forget the little things; make sure your
wood pile is outside of Zone 1 by March, that your address is visible from the
main road while everything is in full bloom and that you have easily accessible
gates for your fencing. People have been lucky enough to have their home saved
from flames by doing these few simple tasks. Don’t believe us?? Watch this
video!
Do you have a propane tank? If you do, it is important to place the
tank at least 30 feet from your home and surround it by non-combustible ground
cover within 10 feet of every side!
Another important aspect to consider when designing your home is the
accessibility for fire fighters and their trucks. If your driveway is narrow
and without a turn around, firefighters may choose to avoid your home and focus
their attention on a more accessible home. Not only does a wide, paved driveway
help fire fighters access your home, it also provides another barrier of
non-flammable protection around your home. It is ideal that your driveway is at
least 12 feet wide up until 150 feet and then 20 feet wide if it is longer,
with a turnaround near the house that is at least 30 feet in radius. Don’t
forget that the rear of your house needs access as well, so you might want to
consider a driveway that circles the home.
Be looking out for our next post about the design decisions for the
structure of your home, but if you are looking for more information immediately, the Colorado State Forest Service has some great resources on
their website.
Click here to check it out.
.jpg)