Research Researchers from the USDA Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana, are working with IBHS scientists to investigate the influence of wind speed on flame spread in pine needle beds. The relation between wildland fire rate of spread and wind speed used in the US wildland fire behavior decision support systems was developed…
Dan Gorham speaks with Lou Manfredini about the recent wildfire demonstration and techniques to make your property more fire-resistant.
Curiosity about Alabama’s progress in building Fortified homes is rising nationally in the aftermath of devastation from 2017-2018 hurricanes.
IBHS helps provide simple tips will prevent your pipes from freezing during cold weather – from USA TODAY.
Research In a study conducted in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, IBHS evaluated the long‐term effectiveness of two fire‐retardant gels when applied to a wood‐based substrate. Gels are a type of coating meant to provide protection for a short period, a few hours, and are typically applied manually just prior to…
Research Post-hurricane damage assessments have documented the failure of wall components and connections including the loss of various types of siding materials. In addition, recent US model building/energy code changes are expected to lead to increased use of continuous insulation, particularly foam sheathing attached to the exterior surface of light-frame wall framing, to achieve advanced…
The vulnerability of thousands of communities and neighborhoods remains a significant knowledge gap that must be closed. In the meantime, home and business owners need to adopt a more defensive mind set.
Florence and Michael brought punishing wind, wind-driven rain and storm surge, exploiting the weakness inherent in thousands of properties. However, they also offered stark evidence that we can build defensively and narrow the path of damage.
Research IBHS wind testing of asphalt shingle products has demonstrated that the most important factor affecting high-wind performance for self-sealing asphalt shingles is the strength of the seal between shingles. Self-sealing asphalt shingles contain a temperature-activated adhesive strip applied during the manufacturing process, which is used to adhere the lower-edge bottom surface of the exposed…
Research IBHS tests the impact resistance commercially available asphalt shingles using both 1.5- and 2.0-inch diameter laboratory manufactured hailstones using the IBHS hail impact testing protocol. Laboratory and field research by IBHS has shown that the impact energy and material properties of laboratory hailstone sizes can be directly related to typical natural hailstones in non-wind…