building homes stronger from the start
DESCRIPTION
Panel Moderator: Candace Iskowitz, IBHS Director of Public Affairs; Panelists: Fred Malik, IBHS FORTIFIED Program Manager; Jim Hayes, President, CrownTeam Texas, and Fire Marshal Cliff Hunter, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection DistrictTRANSCRIPT
FFSL
Hurricane Ike Devastated the Gulf Coast of Texas
4,000 Homes Destroyed on
Bolivar Peninsula!!!!
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Shelter-in-Place If You Can’t Evacuate
During a Wildland Fire!
Clifford F. Hunter, A Fire Marshal’s Perspec>ve
Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protec>on District
November 2010
FORTIFIED NATION “Stronger Structures, Stronger Communities!”
“The Story”
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What it is Shelter-in-Place? • Sheltering-‐in-‐place is a system approach, for protec>ng
homes, in a community from wildfires.
• These communi>es were built to specific construc>on standards including landscaping review. This has allow residents who are unable to evacuate during a wildfire to remain inside their igni>on-‐resistant house un>l the emergency is over, which generally last about 15 minutes
depending on weather condi>ons. 36
FORTIFIED NATION “Stronger Structures, Stronger Communities!”
“The Story”
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Shelter-in-Place System Components
Boxed or Heavy Timber
Eaves
(Class-‐A) Roofing
Ember Intrusion is the main cause of structure lost in wildland fires!
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Why was it Designed?
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FORTIFIED NATION “Stronger Structures, Stronger Communities!”
“The Story”
• Too many Structures lost to Wildland Fires! • Over 9,000 Structures lost in San Diego County in the last 40 years, alone! • To reduce the loss of Life and Property in San Diego County!
We could not solve the Wildland Fire problems by using the same kind of thinking we used for
the last 30 years.
How do you get Communities to buy into the concept?
Influencing the way society thinks! – Rela5onships, Emails, newsle:ers, Annual Reminders,
Signage
• Developing a partnership with all Stakeholders Providing graphic examples of success and failure of
structures aUer Wildland fires.
• Who are the Stakeholders? Developers The Fire Service Planning Departments
Building Officials (Using Science &Tes>ng) Landscaping Designers There are many more, the list is endless! 39
San Antonio Rose Court Direction of the fire
Structures Can Stand Alone!
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FORTIFIED NATION “Stronger Structures, Stronger Communities!”
“The Story”
Shelter-In-Place Communities: The Bridges, Cielo, Crosby, Bel Etage (Santa Fe Valley) and 4S Ranch
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Photo Source: LACoFD 42
Australia – February 2009 43
Evacuations May not Work!
Is Shelter in Place effective?
• Yes! 3,500 homes saved, not a single SIP home lost to the 2007 Witch Creek Fire!
• 2007 Witch Creek Fire was the first wildfire to come through the area since the SIP communi>es were developed.
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What’s Next for the program? • Con&nued Maintenance for shelter in place communi&es! Why? • Homes sell every 3 to 5 years on an average. • Con&nue developing the partnership with the Insurance Companies and Real Estate business. • Develop a beFer understanding of the cost benefits in developing Stronger Structures and Stronger Communi&es!
• Con&nued doing aIer ac&on studies of Wildland Fires by doing;
• A beFer job of damage and saved assessments • Finding beFer methods and solu&on to building materials, for structures in wildland! • Looking at the complete system design and outside influences.
San Diego County Building & Fire Code Updates Program
Success Based Upon Loss Rate October 2003 Wildfires*
• 15,000 structures in the fire perimeter; loss rate of 17%.
• 400 structures built using ‘01 building codes; loss rate of 4%.
October 2007 Wildfires*
• 8,300 structures in the fire perimeter; loss rate of 13%
• 789 structures built using ‘01 building codes; loss rate of 3%.
• 1,218 structures built using ‘04 building codes; loss rate of 2%.
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*Data from San Diego County Building Department – Clay Westling Building Official
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