What we look at
The ten things we assess
Each one is a part of the house you can see, touch, and change. Open any of them for the full methodology.
- Artwork pendingRoofMeasure C1RoofThe covering over your home, and its fire rating.Embers land here first, and they collect in valleys and along the edges.
- Artwork pendingEaves and SoffitsMeasure C2Eaves and SoffitsThe underside of your roof overhang, either open framing or a closed flat surface.Heat and embers rise and get trapped here, against bare wood if the eave is open.
- Artwork pendingVentsMeasure C3VentsThe attic, foundation, and crawlspace openings that let your house breathe.An unscreened vent is a direct path for embers to get inside the structure.
- Artwork pendingWindowsMeasure C4WindowsThe glass, and whether it is single pane, double pane, or shuttered.Radiant heat from a fire nearby can break glass and let fire in with no flame ever touching the house.
- Artwork pendingWall BaseMeasure C5Wall BaseThe bottom six inches where your siding meets the ground.Ground fire and glowing debris attack the wall at its lowest and most vulnerable point.
- Artwork pendingZone 0Measure B2Zone 0The first five feet around your house, measured out from every exterior wall.Mulch, shrubs, and firewood here carry fire straight to the building.
- Artwork pendingDeckMeasure B1DeckThe deck surface, and the space underneath it.The area under a deck collects leaves and needles, and it shelters them from rain.
- Artwork pendingGuttersMeasure D6GuttersThe channels along your roof edge, either covered or open.Open gutters hold dry needles right at the roof line.
- Artwork pendingFences and GatesMeasure B3Fences and GatesAny fence, gate, or attached structure within five feet of the house.A wooden fence acts as a fuse that leads fire to the wall.
- Artwork pendingOutbuildingsMeasure B4OutbuildingsSheds, pergolas, and playhouses within thirty feet.A burning shed becomes a second fire close enough to ignite the house.