Building a Custom Home in a Wildfire Hazard Zone
Living in the West offers an abundance of lifestyle amenities, many of which take place in the expansive beauty of the mountains and foothills. It’s no wonder that clients come to us wanting to build their home in such a place. Yet, there is an associated risk of wildfire when you live in a high desert climate and designing to mitigate that risk is an obvious concern when we begin a project. Although we cannot control when or where a wild fire may strike, we can mitigate its risk to structures and decrease its spread to the surrounding environment through strategic building design.
According to the Colorado State Forest Service, there are several ways to prevent ignition around your home. These strategies are categorized by areas called ‘Ignition-Zones’, which are broken into 3 Zones:
Zone 1: 0-5 Feet (from building structure)
Zone 2: 5-30 Feet (from building structure)
Zone 3: 30-100 Feet (from building structure)
Critical steps should be taken to protect each zone accordingly. Actions such as using nonflammable, hard surface materials for landscaping (i.e. gravel, sand, cement, and stone) in Zone 1 will help mitigate the risk of ignition to your home. Zones 2-3 focus on reducing fire fuels by properly managing surrounding trees, grasses, and other vegetation. For a more robust action-item list for each zone, visit Colorado State Forest Service’s website: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf (Link to website)
From an architectural perspective, we can most significantly help our clients manage Zone 1 through resilient design. Prioritizing elements such as a Class A roof fire rating, proper vent detailing, and the use of fire resistant building materials are topics we encourage homeowners to consider as they can reduce ignition and spread of fire. A few examples of Class A roofing includes metal, asphalt or clay/stone shingles. Examples of fire-resistant building materials include cladding or structural elements such as noncombustible stucco, stone, fiber cement board, steel, and brick.
We understand that design is a conversation between science, function, and aesthetic. Our team is dedicated to finding the right balance that is unique to each client and aim to show you that you don’t need to sacrifice beauty for resiliency. Our portfolio includes projects such as Ute Lane (Link to portfolio page) that incorporated Shou Sugi Ban, natural stone, and steel framing which are all exterior design elements resistive to fire. Additionally, the Walking Mountains Campus / Housing Lane (Link to portfolio page) exemplifies how metal roofing and Class A framing can be more than a sustainable building strategies- they can create a balanced design that speaks harmonious with its environment.
To learn more about how Sipes Architects can help you design a custom home that also prioritizes resilience, reach out to: Contact Info Link