Vents

What it is.

Every opening built into the envelope so air can move through the attic, the crawlspace, and the underfloor area. Gable vents, eave vents, ridge vents, dormer vents, and foundation vents all count.

Why it matters.

A vent is a hole in the building by design. An ember carried on the wind does not have to burn through anything to use it, it only has to fit. Once inside, it lands in an attic or a crawlspace full of dry material, out of sight, where nobody will notice it until the fire is established.

What good looks like.

Every vent either tested to resist ember entry or covered with fine noncombustible mesh, fitted tightly with no torn corners, no missing screens, and no vents left open behind stored items.

How it is judged.

ASTM E2886 is the only standard in this set that directly measures whether a vent resists ember entry, and it is the test a vent product must pass to be treated as ember resistant. California insurers are required to account for vents under 2644.9(d)(1)(B)2.c.

What we will ask you.

"Walk the outside of the house and look at each vent. Are they all covered with fine mesh or marked as ember resistant?"

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