Fire Resistant Roof And Eave Detail

An enclosed overhang with a horizontal soffit.

Fire resistant roof and eave detail.

As seen on this old house vulcan vents are designed to be fire and ember safe. Roof eave fire resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave if fire blocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing. Here are ways you can harden your home and make it more fire resistant. You can use ignition resistant materials or noncombustible materials on the exposed underside or the underside assembly can be tested to and pass sfm 12 7a 3.

For more information on eave construction or other fire code requirements please refer to the county s wildland urban interface summary document pds 664 or contact the county s building department fire services division at 858 565 5920. Low cost retrofit list roof. 10 low cost retrofits to your home. The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home.

Protect your home s roof. Typical construction materials for eaves overhangs and soffits are not fire resistant and are therefore susceptible to ignition by embers and hot gases. For maximum protection against fire construct walls using type x gypsum wallboard covered with a thick layer of stucco cement a roof of fire resistant shingles with bird stops at the eaves little or no overhang and no soffit vents. Embers and hot gases from fire exterior wall cladding fascia gutter rafter underside of roof deck figure 3.

Noncombustible or fire resistant materials. Homes with wood or shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire. Roofs are often the most vulnerable part of a house in a fire so it goes without saying that cedar shakes are out of the question even in urban areas. The main objective of the eave protection requirement is to stop fire from getting into the attic.

In addition to all the design construction features and color choices of the o hagin standard line this patent pending attic vent features an interior stainless steel diffuser that breaks down wind driven rain and snow before it can enter the attic space. Once an eave overhang or soffit has ignited fire can spread onto the roof into the attic or onto and through the exterior wall. For eave vents follow the guidance in vents. It says that eave protection can be obtained in one of three ways.

To prevent heat buildup this house was constructed without eave overhangs which also eliminates soffit vents. An ember catching screen blocks dangerous embers during ember attacks long before the fire arrives.