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…
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.
Research Wildfire activity is on the rise and with this comes an increased impact on buildings, including homes and businesses, in the wildland-urban interface. Residents and business owners can take steps to reduce the risk to their property located in wildfire-prone areas. Eliminating fuels from the immediate area surrounding the building, as referred to as…
Using data and observations gathered during field and lab research, IBHS develops tools to help risk engineering and loss control staff evaluate and reduce risks and vulnerabilities to severe weather, including field tools to evaluate commercial structures and risk engineering bulletins that address specific natural hazards. Wind Loss Control Field Tools These materials will help risk…
Research As part of its research effort to study and understand the vulnerabilities of buildings subjected to wildfire exposures, IBHS developed the capability of simulating ember exposures on building components and assemblies. The primary objective of this research is to reduce the likelihood of wildfire-caused building ignitions in communities located in wildfire-prone areas. 2011 Demonstration…
Homes typically ignite due to embers generated during a wildfire, not generally the big wall of flames. However, research is needed on home-to-home ignitions and how this impacts communities when a wildfire threatens. IBHS has a unique opportunity next week to join the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) in Ohio during free-burn tests of…
Research In buildings where combustible siding has been installed, fire-retardant coatings could be used to reduce their vulnerability to wildfire exposures, particularly radiant heat and flame contact exposures. These exposures are more common in situations where close building-to-building spacing exists and a neighboring building ignites and burns, and where other combustibles (e.g., a wood pile…
Research During a wildfire, attached decks can be a vulnerable component of a building. If ignited by flames or by wind-blown embers, a burning deck could then ignite the adjacent building. An underdeck flame impingement exposure is used to evaluate deck performance as part of the current California State Fire Marshal and American Society for…
Vulnerability of Vents to Wind-Blown Embers Wind-blown embers are the principal cause of building ignitions during wildfires. Although the role of embers (also called brands or firebrands) has long been recognized, the ability to evaluate ember exposure in a controlled laboratory setting is relatively new. Research Ember Entry: Vents Since 2010, the Insurance Institute for Business &…
IBHS conducts post-wildfire field research to gain critical insights for property owners and to inform future wildfire research.