INSURANCE INFORMATION

Some insurance companies are now offering discounts if you adhere to the requirements below. Farmers is just one company that will do this. Also, by becoming a FireWise Community, this will lower premiums with some companies.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 1, 2023.

Overview

Wildfire Prepared HomeTM was developed to help you protect your home from wildfire. The requirements described here are based on years of scientific research by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Our science has demonstrated that, when applied together, these specific actions reduce the wildfire risk to your home and property. All the requirements below must be met for your home to qualify. Once all actions are completed, you can then apply for a designation.

While designations are currently only available for single-family homes of three stories or less in California, the requirements described below are recommended for all homes to reduce wildfire risk. Eligibility for designation may be extended to other building types and locations in future versions of this standard.

Importantly, to ensure better protection against wildfire, the requirements of this standard are stringent. Therefore, it is not easy to earn a designation, and some homeowners may have to work with neighbor(s) to meet the requirements. Homeowners who do achieve a designation will reduce their risk and have better peace of mind when wildfire threatens.

Available Designations

There are two Wildfire Prepared Home designations:

Wildfire Prepared HomeTM
Wildfire Prepared Home PlusTM
To achieve a designation, a home must meet all requirements listed for the designation level being sought, which will be verified by an authorized third-party and reviewed by IBHS.
Designation Maintenance & Renewal

Once achieved, the designation is valid for 3 years.
An annual landscape review is also required and will incur a nominal fee.
These reviews confirm the monthly maintenance necessary to keep your property in compliance with the standard is being done.
After 3 years, the designation is renewable with a full re-designation verifying continued compliance with the standard.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 2

Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Designation

The requirements for this designation address the roof, specific features of the building, and defensible space. All listed requirements must be met, verified through an inspection associated with the Wildfire Prepared Home program, and maintained to achieve this designation.

Eligibility

☐ Home must be located in California.
☐ Home must be a single-family detached home of three stories or less.
Manufactured homes, townhomes, multifamily housing, and nonresidential buildings are not currently eligible for designation.
Roofs

☐ Roof must be Class A fire-resistant rated.
Most roof covers are Class A, including but not limited to the following:
- Asphalt shingles
- Concrete, brick, or masonry tiles with bird stops to reduce debris
  accumulation
- Metal shingles or sheets
  Wood shake shingles are not Class A fire-resistant rated. Homes with this type of roof do not qualify.
☐ Roof must be kept clear of debris.
☐ Gutters and downspouts must be made of a noncombustible material such as metal.
☐ Gutters and downspouts must be kept clear of debris, such as leaves and pine needles.
Building Features
Vents
Vents must meet the following requirements:

What are bird stops? Bird stops seal the open edges of the roof covering to keep fuel sources (such as bird nests and wind- blown debris) and embers from getting underneath the roof covering. These can be purchased from a roofing supply store or you can use a mortar mix to plug the ends, which is the best

option for openings at the ridge of the roof.

Why? The roof is a large surface where debris can easily build up and be ignited by burning embers that are carried in the wind during a wildfire.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 3

☐ All vents must be either (1) corrosion-resistant and ember- and fire-resistant; OR (2) noncombustible and covered with 1/8-inch or finer metal mesh.

☐ Dryer vents must have a louver or flap in lieu of mesh (due to their design and function).

Exception: Plumbing vents are excluded from these requirements.

Why? Burning embers can enter your home through vents and start fire inside the house. Vents that meet the requirements above can better prevent ember entry.

Where are my vents? Vents include any opening intended to permit ventilation. Common locations include enclosed attics, gable ends, ridge vents, off ridge vents, turbine vents,

exhaust fan vents, enclosed eave soffit spaces, enclosed rafter spaces formed where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of roof rafters, foundations, crawl spaces, and under eaves.

Tips

(1) Mesh can be placed on the inside or outside of the vent.

(2) You can use a golf tee to test whether the mesh is the correct size of 1/8 inch or finer. If the tee does not fit through the mesh openings, it meets the Wildfire Prepared Home requirement.

Ground Clearance for Exterior Walls Covering/Cladding

☐ All exterior walls must have a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up and from any attached horizontal surface like a deck) of noncombustible material such as brick, stone, fiber- cement siding or concrete.

Defensible Space

Decks or Covered Porches

Decks or covered porches including staircases must meet all the following requirements through monthly maintenance:

Around the structure:

Why? Embers can accumulate at the base of exterior walls and porches/decks, which make direct contact with your home, and potentially damage or ignite your home.

What is defensible space? This refers to the area around your home that can be designed and maintained to eliminate fuels and act as a buffer to help lower the chance fire will spread to your home.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 4

☐ Must have 5 feet of noncombustible defensible space (as part of the 5-foot Home Ignition Zone required for the home, described
below).

Top surfaces:

☐ Must be clear of debris and have no trees or shrubs. Up to 10 potted plants, each with a maximum height and width of 36 inches in noncombustible planters, are permitted.

☐ Must have only noncombustible or ignition-resistant
items (such as cast aluminum furniture). A small number of combustible items that can be easily removed and stored when necessary, such as chair cushions, door mats, etc., are permitted.

Underneath:
☐ Must have no vegetation of any kind (including grass and weeds) underneath.

Noncombustible materials like concrete, gravel, or bare soil are permitted.

☐ Must have nothing stored underneath.

Additionally, for decks or porches 4 feet or less above the ground (measured from the top of the walking surface to the ground) must also meet the following additional requirements:

☐ The area under the deck must be enclosed to reduce the accumulation of debris using one of the following methods:

Install noncombustible, corrosion-resistant 1/8 inch or finer mesh around the outer edge of the deck from the walking surface to the ground to prevent ember intrusion. If a material such as lattice is installed over the mesh, it must also be noncombustible.
Fully enclose with a noncombustible wall covering/cladding.
For decks with an additional structure (like a pergola or gazebo), the following requirements must be met:

☐ Only metal pergolas are allowed on decks.
☐ Must have no solid cover (noncombustible slats that cover no more than 10% total of the surface area where a roof cover would be is acceptable).
☐ Must have no vegetation and no curtains/drapes/screens.
2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 5

Detached decks

☐ Must meet the same requirements as attached decks.

Home Ignition Zone – The First 5 Feet Around the Home

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is one of the most critical aspects of wildfire mitigation and includes the area starting from the edge of the exterior walls to a distance of 5 feet from the building footprint. Note that when decks and/or covered porches, including staircases are present, the HIZ must extend around them.

The HIZ must meet and maintain monthly all the following conditions:

Ground cover must be noncombustible and kept
free of debris. (Noncombustible hardscape such as gravel or paving stones is recommended. Bare soil is also acceptable.)

Novegetation(trees,shrubs,bushes,plants,grass, weeds, etc.) should exist within or overhang the HIZ. Any overhanging limbs or branches from nearby trees and bushes must be trimmed back to be outside the HIZ.

☐ No combustible items (furniture, firewood, trash cans, storage sheds, etc.) should be stored in the HIZ.

☐ No boats, RVs, or other vehicles should be parked in the HIZ.

Landscaping in the Remainder of the Parcel

The remainder of the property beyond the 5-foot HIZ must have defensible space that is regularly maintained. Defensible space separates fuels to reduce flame intensity near a home. This includes:

☐ Routinely removing fallen pine needles, leaves, and other debris from trees accumulated in the yard.

☐ Caring for trees with a trunk of 4 inches or greater in diameter:

☐ Mustbeprunedtohaveacanopy-to-canopydistanceofatleast10feetto other trees. Tree limbs and branches must be pruned to a minimum height of 6 feet off the ground.

☐ Spacingbetweenthetreecanopyandthenextclosestshrub,bush,ortree with a trunk diameter of less than 4 inches must be at least twice the height of the bush, shrub, or tree (or 10 feet, whichever is less).

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 6

☐ Caring for shrubs and bushes, including trees with a trunk of less than 4 inches in diameter:

☐ Mustnotbeplacedunderlargertrees.
☐ Musthavespacingbetweenthemofatleasttwicetheheightofthetallest

bush or shrub. Rows of shrubs or bushes are not allowed.

☐ Routinely removing dead vegetation.

Fences

☐ Fencing within 5 feet of the home, including where fences attach to the home, must be constructed of a noncombustible material (such as metal/aluminum).

Accessory Structures & Outbuildings

For unattached accessory structures and outbuildings
that are within 30 feet of the home and that have a footprint greater than or equal to 15 square feet (such as sheds, gazebos, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), open covered structures with a solid roof, dog houses, playhouses, etc.):

☐ No more than 3 total of these structures are allowed within 30 feet of the home.
☐ Each structure must meet the same wildfire resilience requirements as the home structure.
☐ Each structure must have its own 5 feet of defensible space (as prescribed under Home Ignition Zone) that does not overlap the 5-foot HIZ required for the home, decks, or other structures within 30 feet of the home.
☐ ADUs attached to the primary home must meet the same Wildfire Prepared Home requirements as the primary home.

Why? Even if most of your fencing is farther than 5 feet from your home, combustible fences can ignite and act like a wick leading fire straight to your home. To help prevent this, it is critical that fencing near or attached to your home is

noncombustible.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 7

Wildfire Prepared Home PlusTM Designation

The Wildfire Prepared Home Plus designation is available to homes that meet all the requirements listed for the Wildfire Prepared Home designation above plus all the following additional requirements below. (The exception is for Accessory Structures & Outbuildings where requirements for Wildfire Prepared Home Plus are more restrictive.) As with Wildfire Prepared Home, additional requirements must be verified through an inspection associated with the Wildfire Prepared Home program.

Gutters & Downspouts

☐ Noncombustible gutters must also be covered with a noncombustible material such as metal to prevent the collection of debris such as leaves and pine needles.

Eaves & Soffits

☐ Must enclose eaves on the underside with soffits made with one of the following:

Noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials
2-inch lumber (e.g., 2x4, 2x6; NOT plywood)
Vents

☐ Dryer vents must be made of metal and have a louver or flap.

Exterior Walls Covering/Cladding

☐ Wall coverings/claddings must be a noncombustible or ignition-resistant material, such as metal siding, fiber-cement siding, masonry veneer, or stucco.

NOTE: Ignition-resistant construction can include combustible materials such as wood siding in the assembly and is not allowed for Plus designations.

☐ Decorative shutters, if in place, must be made of noncombustible materials.

Why? Heat and embers can get trapped under eaves and ignite them.

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 8

Exterior Glass (Windows, Skylights & Glass Within Doors)

☐ All exterior windows, skylights, and glass openings within doors must comply with one of the following requirements:

Multipaned glass with at least two tempered panes
Glass blocks (windows only)
Exterior Doors

☐ All exterior doors must comply with one of the following requirements:

Exterior surface or cladding must be solid, have a metal threshold, and be constructed with noncombustible or ignition-resistant material, such as:
o Metal
o Solidhardwood o Fiberglass
Combustible doors are allowed if a noncombustible storm door is installed as the outermost exterior door.
Enclosed Space Underneath Bay Windows

☐ Any open space under first-floor bay windows must be eliminated by constructing a noncombustible wall section.

Why? Embers can accumulate under this unenclosed area and will ignite the home.

Decks

☐ In addition to the requirements listed above for a Wildfire Prepared Home designation, decks must comply with one of the following requirements:

All deck components, including posts, joists, railings, stairs, and walking surfaces must be constructed with noncombustible materials such as metal or light-weight concrete.
Deck walking surfaces constructed with a solid (no gaps), noncombustible material such as metal or light-weight concrete; railings within 5 feet of the home constructed of a noncombustible material, including where railings attach to the home; and deck posts with a minimum of 6 vertical inches of noncombustible material at grade. As noted in the defensible space section, all decks including attached staircases must include the noncombustible 5- foot Home Ignition Zone around them.

• For staircases 4 feet in width or less that attach to a deck and are open underneath should have one of the following requirements:

• Open risers (no solid risers)
2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 9

Why? These types of glass are more resistant to breaking during a wildfire, which helps keep flames from entering.

Must have a minimum of 6 vertical inches of the bottom of stairs made from noncombustible material.
Stair treads should be a solid (no gaps), noncombustible material, such as metal or light-weight concrete.

• Closed risers

Must have a minimum of 6 vertical inches of the bottom of
stairs made from noncombustible material.
Stair treads and risers should be a solid (no gaps), noncombustible material, such as metal or light-weight concrete.

• For staircases wider than 4 feet that attach to a deck, the staircase should be cleared underneath and enclosed with noncombustible material with openings not to exceeded 1/8-inch, such as 1/8-inch or finer metal mesh and include the following requirements:

• Closed risers

Must have a minimum of 6 vertical inches of the bottom of
stairs made from noncombustible material.
Stair treads and risers should be a solid (no gaps), noncombustible material, such as metal or light-weight concrete.

Fences

☐ In addition to the requirements listed above for a Wildfire Prepared Home designation, fencing must not be back-to-back fencing (i.e., there are no separate fences that are closer than 5 feet apart).

This may require you to coordinate with your neighbor(s) to eliminate duplicative fences that can trap debris between them.

Accessory Structures & Outbuildings

☐ All unattached accessory structures and outbuildings with a footprint greater or equal to 15 square feet—such as sheds, gazebos, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), open covered structures with a solid roof, dog houses, playhouses, etc.—must be located a minimum of 30 feet away from the home.
☐ ADUs attached to the primary home by building permit must meet the same Wildfire Prepared Home Plus requirements as the primary home.
Definitions
Within this standard, acceptable products and materials are those listed by the California State Fire Marshal or in a current report issued by an approved agency (accredited to ISO 17065) to meet one of the following test standards:
- Noncombustible – Made from material of which no part will ignite and burn when subjected to fire. Any material passing ASTM E136 shall be considered noncombustible.
- Ignition-resistant – A type of building material that resists ignition or sustained flaming combustion sufficiently so as to reduce losses from

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 10

wildland-urban interface conflagrations under worst-case weather and fuel conditions with wildfire exposure of burning embers and small flames. Ignition- resistant building materials must comply with one of the following:

Extended ASTM E84 (UL 723) test or ASTM E2768
Noncombustible material
NOTE: An ignition-resistant material should not be confused with ignition- resistant construction as ignition-resistant construction can include combustible materials in the assembly.
Parcel – Refers to a single plot of land (i.e., lawn, yard, property) and includes all buildings and structures within (house, shed, etc.).

2023 Wildfire Prepared HomeTM Homeowner Guide- updated January 11, 2023