deck / porch structure
Remove anything stored under the deck or stairs.
Remove all vegetation—including grass or weeds—from under the deck and stairs.
All deck framing components including ledger, joists, beams, posts, stairs and brackets should be made of noncombustible materials such as steel.
FORTRESS EVOLUTION STEEL FRAMING - Evolution Steel Frame
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
Noncombustible
ASTM E84 compliant
TIMBERTECH - Aluminum Frame
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
Noncombustible
ASTM E84 compliant
OUTDURE - QwickBuild
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
Noncombustible
ASTM E84 compliant
NEW CASTLE STEEL - New Castle Black
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
Noncombustible
ASTM E84 compliant
deck / porch maintenance
Remove combustible furniture, including wood or plastic furniture.
Remove large combustible rugs and planters.
Choose noncombustible furniture such as cast aluminum or metal furniture.
Ensure any items like cushions or door mats are small enough to easily be moved inside on Red Flag days.
siding / cladding
Replace combustible siding including wood, wood-fiber, or vinyl siding with a noncombustible material like concrete-fiber board, stucco, brick, or stone veneer.
ALLURA - Fiber Cement Siding
CAL FIRE BML Listed
JAMES HARDIE - Fiber Cement Siding
CAL FIRE BML Listed
NICHIHA - Fiber Cement Siding
CAL FIRE BML Listed
TRUEXTERIOR - Poly-Ash Siding
CAL FIRE BML Listed
METALUNIC - Steel Siding
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
Noncombustible
ASTM E330 / E84 Compliant
ventilation
Ensure your metal dryer vent has a louver or flap to reduce ember entry. Due to its design and function, wire mesh should not be used on dryer vents.
Install ember-resistant vents or cover existing vents with 1/8-inch metal wire mesh.
BRANDGUARD VENTS - Ember Defense Vents
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ASTM E2886
VULCAN VENTS - Ember Defense Vents
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ASTM E2886
FIRESTORM - Wildfire Defense Ember Mesh
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ASTM E2886 / E84 / E2768 Compliant
BRUSHFIRE MITIGATION SOLUTIONS - Wildfire Defense Mesh
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ASTM E2886 Compliant
roof and gutter
Maintain your roof and gutters by regularly removing all debris, including leaves and pine needles.
Replace plastic gutters with metal gutters such as aluminum.
Replace a wood shake or wood shingle roof with a Class A fire-resistant-rated roof cover. Class A-rated roof covers include most asphalt shingles, tile, slate, and metal roofs.
METAL SALES - Metal Roofing
Noncombustible
Class A
UL 790 / 263 compliant
ASC - Metal Roofing
Noncombustible
Class A
UL 790 compliant
TAMCO - Composite Roofing
Class A
UL 790 compliant
MALARKY - Composite Roofing
Class A
ASTM E108 compliant
GAF - Composite Roofing
Class A
ASTM E108 /UL 790 compliant
OWENS CORNING - Composite Roofing
ASTM E108 /UL 790 compliant
skylights
Replace domed, plastic skylights with flat, multipaned, tempered glass skylights.
VELUX - Glass Skylights
exterior wall
Ensure there is a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up and from any attached horizontal surface like a deck) of noncombustible siding material, such as fiber-cement, brick, stone, stucco, or exposed concrete foundation.
Consider aluminum flashings such as Z-bar for protection below your cladding, that can stop embers from traveling behind the cladding to reach combustible wall assembly materials.
EAZY TRIM - Aluminum Flashing
Noncombustible
ASTM E136 compliant
FRY REGLET - Aluminum Flashing
Noncombustible
ASTM E84 compliant
wall/roof sheathing
Fire-Rated Sheathing is important because it provides a crucial layer of fire resistance to buildings, helping to slow down flame spread and burn-through in the event of a fire. This can give occupants more time to escape and allow firefighters more time to respond, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage. It also offers design flexibility and can be more cost-effective than traditional fire-rated solutions like gypsum.
LP FLAME BLOCK - Fire Rated Sheathing
COOSA COMPOSITES - Specialized Fire Rated Panels
address identification
Choose numbers that are 4 inches on a contrasting background and/or reflective or illuminated.
Place address numbers so that they are visible from the street and from both directions of travel.
PLACER COUNTY: Details & Request Form
driveway approach
Create a driveway clearance of at least 12 feet wide and 13.5 feet tall.
If the property is gated, gates should open inward and be placed at least 30 feet from the roadway.
windows
Replace all exterior windows with tempered, multipaned glass or fire-resistant glass blocks.
doors
Upgrade to solid exterior doors that have a metal threshold and are constructed with a noncombustible or ignition-resistant material such as metal, fiberglass or solid hardwood.
If you choose a door that includes glass, make sure it is made with tempered, multipaned glass.
Alternatively, install a noncombustible storm door as the outermost door.
steel frame ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
Steel framed buildings are crucial for fire mitigation because steel is non-combustible. This inherent fire resistance helps contain fires, provides more time for evacuation, and minimizes structural damage.
ORLANDO STEEL FRAMING - Precision-engineered Framing Systems
deck / porch surfaces
Before you dive into comparing products and brands we need to establish a few very important terms!
COMBUSTIBLE:
A combustible substance reacts with oxygen to release heat and light (burning). In building and fire codes, this includes standard materials that feed a fire. It IS a fuel.NONCOMBUSTIBLE:
Noncombustible materials do not contribute to a fire, meaning they will not burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors under expected fire conditions. It IS NOT a fuelClass A Fire-Rated:
The highest level of fire resistance, meaning the material slows flame spread the most and provides the strongest defense against fire.Class B Fire-Rated:
Moderate fire resistance, making it a good option for areas with some fire risk but without the higher requirements of Class A.Class C Fire-Rated:
The lowest level of protection among fire-rated materials but still provides a level of defense in environments where fire risk is lower.ASTM E84:
The ASTM E84 test (also called the Steiner Tunnel Test) is a 10-minute burn test that measures how fast flames spread across the surface of a building material and how much smoke it produces. The test gives materials two scores.Flame Spread Index (FSI) (Measures the speed at which flames advance. A score of 0 means the material does not burn, while 100 is the benchmark of traditional red oak wood.)
Smoke Developed Index (SDI) (Measures how much visual smoke the burning material emits. A lower number means less smoke.Based on those two numbers, the material is sorted into one of three safety classes, which dictates where it can be used in buildings: [1, 2, 3]
Class A: 0–25 Flame Spread / 0–450 Smoke
Class B: 26–75 Flame Spread / 0–450 Smoke
Class C: 76–200 Flame Spread / 0–450 Smoke
THIS IS YOUR TAKEAWAY:
A COMBUSTIBLE product & a NONCOMBUSTIBLE product can both obtain a CLASS A (B,C,1,2,3) rating through testing, however, having a CLASS A rating does not mean the product is NONCOMBUSTIBLE and therefore can still be a fuel and be consumed in a wildfire event.
N, back to the boards & surfaces
▼
• COMPOSITE DECK BOARDS
Offers varying levels of fire resistance depending on the product's quality. Some composite materials are more resistant to embers and flames than others. Some composites offer fire-resistant versions, but not all achieve a Class A rating.
►NEW◄ TREX - Refuge
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
IWUIC compliant
TREX - Transcend, Lineage & Select
CAL FIRE BML Listed
AZEK - Vintage & Landmark
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ASTM E84 compliant
AZEK - Harvest, Arbor, Terra
CAL FIRE BML Listed
TIMBERTECH - Pro Reserve
CAL FIRE BML Listed
EVA-LAST - Apex
CAL FIRE BML Listed
FIBERON - Paramount & Promenade
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
FIBERON - Good Life FR, Sanctuary FR, Advantage FR
CAL FIRE BML Listed
ENVISION - Evergrain, Distinction, Inspiration, Expression& Ridge Premium
CAL FIRE BML Listed
MOISTURESHIELD - Vision & Meridian
CAL FIRE BML Listed
MILLBOARD - Enhanced Grain & Weathered Oak
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• HIGH DENSITY TROPICAL HARDWOODS
High-density tropical hardwood refers to a category of wood from trees grown in tropical regions, characterized by its exceptional density, durability, and resistance to decay, insects, and weathering.
REDWOOD EMPIRE - IPE
CAL FIRE BML Listed
SABRA - IPE
CAL FIRE BML Listed
MATAVERDE - Machiche, Cumaru, IPE, and Jatoba
CLASS A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
NOVA USA - Model Lux Gold Bangkirai (Yellow Balau)
CAL FIRE BML Listed
NOVA USA - Torem (South Pacific Redwood)
CAL FIRE BML Listed
KAYU - Batu (Red Balau)
CAL FIRE BML Listed
TIGER DECK - Tiger Deck Astronium
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• BAMBOO
Bamboo decking is a type of outdoor flooring made from bamboo, a rapidly renewable grass. It is increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to traditional wood decking, offering a natural look and good durability. Bamboo decking can be made from solid bamboo, which is processed and compressed, or from bamboo composite, which combines bamboo fibers with resins.
MOSO - Bamboo N-Durance
Class A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
MOSO - Bamboo Thermo
Class A Flame Spread Rating
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• THERMALLY TREATED WOOD
Thermally modified decking is wood that has been heat-treated in a low-oxygen environment to enhance its durability and stability. This process alters the wood's chemical structure, making it more resistant to moisture, rot, and insect infestation, while also increasing its dimensional stability.
DASSO XTR Bamboo
CAL FIRE BML Listed
KEBONY- Clear Radiata Boardwalk
CAL FIRE BML Listed
THERMORY- Ash
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• ALUMINIUM
This decking is made from aluminum, a lightweight, strong, and durable metal. It offers low maintenance, resistance to rot, warping, and insects, and suitability for various climates.
NEXAN - LockDry & NextDeck
Noncombustible
*NO WEST COAST DISTRIBUTION
WAHOO - AridDek & Fortis
Noncombustible
*NO WEST COAST DISTRIBUTION
• FIRE-RETARDANT TREATED WOOD
Fire retardant treated lumber is typically made from species like Douglas Fir, Hem Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, and Spruce-Pine-Fir. These species are commonly used because they can effectively absorb and retain the fire-retardant chemicals during the treatment process. The treatment process involves pressure impregnation with chemicals that help the wood resist ignition and flame spread. MAY NEED RETREATMENT OVER TIME.
CHEMCO - SaferWood-FX
CAL FIRE BML Listed
HOOVER - Exterior Fire X & Pyro-Guard
CAL FIRE BML Listed
VIANCE - D-Blaze
CAL FIRE BML Listed
KOPPER - FlamePRO
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• PORCELIAN PAVER (THICK TILE)
Solid surface porcelain deck tiles are durable, low-maintenance, and stylish options for outdoor flooring. They are made from a dense, non-porous porcelain material that is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and fading, making them suitable for high-traffic areas and various weather conditions. These are typically non-combustible and offer excellent fire resistance.
• DAL TILE - Xteriors
Noncombustible
• BEDROSIANS - Poetry Stone
Noncombustible
• PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC COATING:
Pedestrian traffic coating is a protective layer applied to surfaces like walkways, balconies, and parking garages to enhance durability and safety for foot traffic. These coatings are designed to be slip-resistant, preventing falls, and also act as a barrier against water damage and other wear and tear.
PLI-DEK - ESR-2097 Walking Deck System
CAL FIRE BML Listed
AVM - Elasto Fiberdeck 100 & Forevercoat 100
CAL FIRE BML Listed
• LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE:
Lightweight concrete for decks is a construction material designed to be less dense than standard concrete, making it easier to handle and potentially reducing structural load. It's often used in applications where weight reduction is beneficial, such as roof decks and elevated structures.
LUMBERCON - Lumbercon Concrete Deck Plank
Noncombustible
fencing
Non-Combustible Fencing is important because it eliminates a common pathway for fire to travel directly to a home during a wildfire event. Combustible fences can act as a wick, carrying flames and radiant heat from the property line to vulnerable attachment points on structures. Using non-combustible materials such as metal or masonry within Zone 0 helps interrupt fire spread, reduces ignition risk at the home interface, and improves overall defensibility. When properly designed, these fencing solutions can be durable, code-aligned, and visually adaptable, offering effective wildfire protection without sacrificing function or aesthetics.
FORTRESS - Perimeter Fencing
MODERN YARD - Vertical myFireGuard system
MWF SOLUTIONS - Metal Wall & Fence Solutions
Disclosure:
Mentions of specific products, brands, or materials are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. While I do have a financial relationship with FORTRESS BUILDING PRODUCTS, I do not have any financial relationship with any of the other manufacturers or vendors referenced, and inclusion does not imply preference over other available options.