START WITH YOUR HOUSE

What does it mean to be fire-ready

Limit Fire Damage – Houses and neighbourhoods should be designed and maintained to slow the fire’s spread, giving firefighters a better chance to protect your home.

“Don’t just do the minimum that the code requires. Building codes allow for homes that are only ignition resistant, even in areas we know will face wildfires. Our responsibility is to go beyond the minimum - building homes that are as non-combustible as possible.“

BAR Architects

Go Beyond Code

Codes set the floor, not the ceiling. Aim for true fire resilience, not just compliance.

Each home’s environment demands different safety features, design with that reality in mind.

Forest/Woodland Homes

Go above and beyond minimum requirements. Add features like fire shutters, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible siding.

Desert Homes

Lower tree risk but still consider wind-driven fires and defensible space.

Use Common Sense & Context

Each home’s environment demands different safety features. We need to design with that reality in mind.

What do different building material terms mean?

  • A material that can catch fire and burn easily when exposed to flames or heat. Examples include wood, untreated siding, paper, and some plastics. Combustible materials are the most at risk in wildfires.

  • A material that resists burning and slows the spread of fire, but may still char, melt, or eventually ignite under extreme heat. Fire performance has been tested (e.g. class A)

    Fire-resistant materials help protect a house and give firefighters more time to respond.

  • A material that will not catch fire under normal conditions, even when exposed to flames. Examples include brick, stone, concrete, steel, and cement board. Non-combustible materials provide the strongest protection against wildfire.