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FIRE RESILIENCY

Protect your hOME with smart, reliable fire protection. Our tailored planning and certified products ensure safety from the start — built right into each design.

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WE BUILD FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY INTO EVERY hOME

  • We use only Class A fire-rated roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, clay or cement tiles and metal roofs.  Class A fire-rated roofs provide the highest level of fire protection, meaning they’re designed to withstand severe fire exposure without igniting or spreading flames. This rating is based on rigorous tests that evaluate a roofing material's ability to resist flame spread, penetration, and intermittent flame exposure. 

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    • Fire Resistance:

    Class A fire-rated roofing materials are specifically designed to withstand the most severe fire conditions. 

    • Flame Spread:

    A Class A fire-rated roof must resist the spread of flames across its surface. 

    • Penetration Resistance:

    It must also resist fire penetration from the exterior to the underside of the roof deck, ensuring a fire doesn't break through. 

    • Intermittent Flame Resistance:

    Class A fire-rated roofs must withstand intermittent flame exposure, meaning they can handle a fire that may come and go. 

  • We use only non-combustible siding, including cement fiber, metal, stucco (3-Coat system), brick and stone.  Non-combustible siding offers the highest level of fire resistance, meaning it can withstand intense heat and flame-spread for extended periods.

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    Non-combustible Siding-

    • Flame Spread:

    Non-combustible materials have a flame spread rating of 25 or lower, meaning they are less likely to contribute to the spread of flames. 

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    • Smoke Development:

      • Non-combustible materials have a maximum smoke development rating of 450, indicating they produce less smoke than other ratings. 

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    • Examples: 

      • Fiber Cement: A durable, non-combustible material that often carries a Class A rating.

      • Metal Siding:  Includes steel siding, offers strong fire resistance and resistance to other elements. 

      • Brick and Stone: Naturally fire-resistant materials that don't burn or contribute to flame spread. 

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    • Benefits:

      • Improved Fire Resistance: Non-combustible siding provides the highest level of protection against fire. 

      • Reduced Fire Damage: They minimize the risk of fire damage to the exterior and interior of a home. 

      • Peace of Mind: In areas prone to wildfires, non-combustible siding offers added protection and peace of mind. 

  • We use only multi-pane, tempered glass windows with fire-rated steel or aluminum frames. Fire-rated windows are specialized products designed to withstand extreme heat and prevent the spread of fire and smoke for a specified period.

     

    These windows are an integral part of a building’s passive fire protection system, providing fire resistance while still fulfilling the functional and aesthetic requirements of modern architecture.

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    The frame of a fire-rated window is just as crucial as the glass. It must also withstand the same fire conditions without losing structural integrity. Common materials include:

    • Steel: Highly favored for its strength and fire resistance, steel frames are commonly used in fire-rated windows.

    • Aluminum: When treated with fire-resistant fillers, aluminum frames can also be used in certain fire-rated applications.

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    The construction of the frame, including the use of intumescent seals, ensures the window assembly remains intact, preventing the passage of flames and smoke and limiting radiant heat transfer.

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    Acceptable Testing Standards

    • ASTM E119: This standard assesses the window’s ability to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and radiant heat. It involves exposing the window to a controlled fire, measuring temperature on the non-fire side, and evaluating structural integrity.

    • UL (Underwriters Laboratories): UL testing includes evaluating the window’s resistance to fire, heat, and pressure, ensuring it meets specified safety standards.

  • We use only fire-rated steel or solid-core exterior doors.  Class A residential fire doors are designed for the highest level of fire protection, typically rated for 3 hours

     

    These doors are fully insulated and meet both fire resistance and fire integrity standards. 

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    Key features and requirements of a Class A Residential Fire Door:

    • 3-Hour Fire Rating: The door must withstand a 3-hour fire test. 

    • Fire Resistance and Integrity: The door must prevent the passage of flames, heat, and smoke. 

    • Sealing: Class A doors often have sealing systems integrated into the door edges, eliminating the need for separate edge seals. 

    • Construction Materials: While specific materials can vary, Class A doors are generally made of steel or other fire-resistant materials. 

    • Self-Closing and Latching: Fire doors must be self-closing and latching, ensuring they close properly during a fire. 

    • Clearance: Fire doors must be installed with proper clearances to ensure they seal correctly. 

    • Testing: The door assembly, including the frame, hardware, and glazing, must be tested to meet fire-resistance standards. 

     

    Examples of Where Class A Doors Are Used:

    • Firewalls separating buildings.

    • Walls that divide a large building into fire areas.

    • Exterior wall openings where fire resistance is critical. 

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    In essence, a Class A residential fire door is the highest level of fire protection available, designed to effectively contain and prevent the spread of fire in critical locations. 

  • We use only fully non-combustible deck and fencing materials, including metal, masonry, and fiber cement materials. Fiber cement and similar decking are designed to be highly fire-resistant, specifically for an "Ignition Resistant designation," a "Class A Flame Spread.

     

    This means they resist catching fire and are less likely to contribute to the spread of flames, making them a good choice for areas prone to wildfires. 

    • Ignition Resistant:

    This means they are resistant to catching fire from external sources like embers or flames. 

    • Class A Flame Spread Rating:

    This is the highest flame spread rating, indicating that the material burns at a slower rate and is less likely to contribute to a fire's rapid spread. 

    • WUI Compliance:

    This means that the decking meets the specific requirements of building codes in Wildland Urban Interface zones, which are areas where homes are at risk from wildfires. These regulations mandate fire-resistant materials for construction, including decks. 

    Several products, including siding, trim, and decking, are designed to be fire-resistant, but not entirely fireproof. They have a Class A flame-spread rating, meaning they resist flame spread, but they can still burn at high temperatures. These materials are also less prone to burning than traditional wood or composite decking, offering better protection in fire zones. 

  • Our landscaping will conform to the Firewise landscaping standards. 

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    Firewise landscaping is a technique that focuses on reducing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread near homes by creating defensible space and using fire-resistant plants and materials. 

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    Key principles of firewise landscaping: 

    • 3-Zone Defensible Space:

    In each zone, the intensity of vegetation management increases as it gets closer to the home. The goal is to start at the house and work outward, reaching up to 100 feet or the property line.

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    Zone 0 extends 5 feet from buildings, structures, decks, and is key for wildfire defense and preventing fires from spreading to your home.

    • Use gravel, pavers, or concrete instead of combustible mulch

    • Keep branches trimmed 10 feet away from the dwelling

    • Use only non-combustible fencing and gates made of fire-resistant materials

    • Shift garbage and recycling containers to a safer area outside this zone

    • Keep boats, RVs, and vehicles away from this zone to reduce fire risks

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    Zone 1 extends 30 feet from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

    • Keep dead leaves and pine needles from the roof and gutters

    • Keep overhanging branches a minimum of 10 feet from the dwelling

    • Prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows

    • Keep flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs

    • Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles

     

    Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

    • Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches

    • Space out shrubs and trees horizontally

    • Ensure vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees

    • Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches

    • Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space around them

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    Fire-Resistant Plants:  

    Choose plants that are drought-tolerant and less likely to ignite, such as succulents and native species. 

     

    Spacing and Location:

    Space plants widely to prevent continuous vegetation that could fuel a fire and use hardscape elements like walkways and patios to create firebreaks. 

     

    Maintenance: 

    Provide infrastructure to regularly maintain the landscape by pruning, removing debris, and keeping the area clean and well-watered, especially during dry periods. 

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    Reduced wildfire risk:

    By reducing the amount of flammable material around homes, the likelihood of wildfires spreading to structures is significantly reduced. 

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    Improved safety:

    Firewise landscaping provides a safer environment for residents and firefighters, who can more easily defend homes during a wildfire. 

  • All homes will come equipped with an interior fire sprinkler system and the required smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.​

    • All vents, including soffit vents, will be ember-resistant.

    • All homes will come with all-electrical Energy Star appliances.

    • Optional fireplaces will be electric only.

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