Attachment Retrofits

Fortifying Your Home's Exterior Elements from Wildfire:

Attachments like fences, gates, decks, porches, stairs, and handrails can significantly impact your home’s wildfire resilience. Once embers and flames reach your property, these combustible elements can act like the wick of a candle, leading the fire directly to your home. Wooden fences and decks can ignite easily, allowing fire to climb rapidly towards the structure. Upgrading these attachments with non-combustible materials, such as metal or aluminum, is essential in preventing fire spread. Ensuring proper spacing between these structures and your home can help create a defensible space that further protects against wildfire threats.

Key Points:

• Use fire-resistant materials for decks, stairs, and fences near your house.
• Enclose vulnerable areas under decks, stairs, and ramps with metal mesh.
• Replace combustible fences and gates with non-combustible materials.
• Follow building code guidelines for materials and installation.

Attachment Retrofits:

Partial Deck Replacement:

• If your deck is in good condition but made of combustible material, replace the walking surface and rails within 1 foot of your house with non-combustible materials.
• Use non-combustible deck boards and slip-resistant surfaces for egress areas (exits).
• This retrofit improves ember resistance without requiring a full deck replacement.
• You are responsible for removing and disposing of old deck materials at an approved site.
• This retrofit may require additional work on the walls above and below the deck.

Full Stair Replacement:

• If your stairs are severely deteriorated and combustible, replace them entirely with fire-resistant materials.
• Choose replacement materials such as ignition-resistant materials, fire-retardant treated wood, or non-combustible options.
• Ensure the installation complies with building code requirements for staircases (CBC or CRC).
• Dispose of old stairs at an approved site.

Partial Stair Replacement:

• If your stairs are in good condition but combustible, replace the walking surface and handrails within 1 foot of your house with fire-resistant materials.
• Use non-combustible materials for the replacements.
• Follow building code requirements for staircase installation (CBC or CRC).
• Dispose of old stair components at an approved site.

Unenclosed Deck/Stair/Ramp Retrofit:

• If you have unenclosed decks, stairs, or ramps that are less than 4 feet from the ground where debris can accumulate, enclose these areas with fine metal mesh (1/16" to 1/8" diameter) to prevent embers and debris from entering.
• Remove any existing debris before installing the mesh.
• The mesh should allow for occasional access for cleaning.
• Ensure the enclosure complies with building code ventilation requirements (CBC or CRC).

Combustible Fence/Gate Retrofit:

• If your fence or gate is combustible and attached to your house or within 8 feet of the house (or property line), replace it with a non-combustible material that meets building code definitions (CBC or CRC).
• You are responsible for removing and disposing of the old fence/gate at an approved site.

Miscellaneous Combustible Attachments:

• If there are various combustibles attached to the home it is best to remove them, or replace with a non-combustible option.

• Common Attached Combustibles that may require replacement or removal include: Air Conditioning Platforms, Storage Sheds, Cabinets, Planter Boxes, Trellises, Pergolas, Window Boxes, and Shutters

Compliance References:

• CBC (California Building Code): Sections 709A, 1003.4, 1011, 202
• CRC (California Residential Code): Sections R337.9, R311.7, R201

Disclaimer: The California Wildfire Mitigation Program Home Hardening Initiative recommends the following measures to retrofit a residence. Please note that not all retrofits listed are available in the Lake County Home Hardening Program.

If you have any additional questions please contact us at homehardening@ncoinc.org or call 707-461-0760.