why homes burn and what we can do about it
TRANSCRIPT
PowerPoint Presentation
Clark Woodward, CEO RedZone.co2015 INTERNATIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PRACTITIONERS SYMPOSIUMWhy Homes Burn What We Can Do About ItStructural Vulnerability Warding off the 3 UGLIESEarthquake, Flood, and Fire
1
Clark WoodwardEntrepreneur in Wildland Fire. CEO of RedZonePreplanning Applications for State, Federal and Local fire agenciesWildfire Tracking, Modeling and NotificationWildfire Risk and Probability models for insurance
GISS Specialist for several Type II and III Incident Management Teams
Former and Future WUI Resident 2
3
Catastrophic Wildfire Losses1991 Oakland Hills FireEstimated 13 structures per minute igniting
2003 & 2007 S. CaliforniaApprox. 6,000 structures32 fatalities
2011 Bastrop County, TX1,600+ homes lost
2013 Black Forest4th Colorado record wildfire loss in 3 years
4What We Know About WildfiresWildfire Loss Exposure is IncreasingClimate ChangeExtended Fire ConditionsFlammable Wildland FuelsSettlementIncreasing development of fire prone areasReduced Response CapabilitiesFewer volunteering as emergency respondersReduced budgets for local resources
Wildfires Unique Characteristic5
While the impact area of Hail, Flood and Earthquake events largely overruns the human footprint
We can change the path of wildfires!
6
The Fire PerilCombustion RequiresHeat, Fuel, Oxygen (Fire Triangle)7
This will cover the methods of heat transfer (radiation, convection, conduction) and the processes of structural ignition. Past programs have not focused enough on the HIZ but rather fire behavior factors (fuels, weather, topo). 7
How Homes IgniteThree Heat Transfer Methods
Embers (Conductive Heat)May be deposited from long distances (miles)Flame Contact (Convective Heat)Fuels near structureLarge Flames (Radiant Heat)Intense Crown FiresAdjacent Structures
8
----- Meeting Notes (12/9/14 11:13) -----describe how embers ignite surface firesdescribe going from large flame to ember ignition thinkinginsert photos that show large flames, embers, etc. Clark photos
8
Large Flames
Dangerous heat
Focus of attention
Burn out rapidly9
Embers
Low Heat
Discreet
Windborne
10
Surface Flames
Low-Medium heat
Started by embers
Follow fuel to structures
11
12What We Are Learning About Structure IgnitionsPast Thinking Follow & fight the big flamesFocus on fuels 100 ft. from homes
Current KnowledgeLow intensity surface fires & embers cause most structural ignitionsVulnerability to small flames & firebrandsRoofs roof coverings & flammable debrisStructural OpeningsPrevent all flame contact to structures
13
14
2007 Grass Valley Fire, Lake Arrowhead
Note this unburned fuelFlame ContactFlame Contact
Flame Contact
15Unburned Fuel Near Structures?The good news: Pre-event mitigation actions are effective in reducing these ignitionsWhat Does it Suggest?Large flames did NOT contribute directly to ignition
Low intensity flames or embers likely contributed to ignitions
16Local Hazards Determine Risk
Ignition Zone
High Intensity FireHome survivesLow Intensity FireHome is destroyed
IBHS Ember Testing Video
17
18Video DiscussionAll Materials Respond DifferentlyVinyl sags from radiant heat (siding)
Flames on Roofs and Wall Surfaces are ProblematicEmbers ignite mulch, roof & gutter debris
Research is OngoingEmber restrictive vents, intumescent coatings
Tools which Support Reduced Fire RiskCode development and enforcementCommunity Involvement Effective Hazard Assessment
19
1. Code development and enforcement20The Code of the West is to not have a codeCode development often occurs after large events but mainly impacts those rebuildingCode can have a positive impact on new constructionMany jurisdictions incorporate significant remodel stipulations when applied to existing constructionStatewide efforts such as CA have a positive impact when applied uniformly and across a large geographic area
2. Community Involvement FirewiseReady, Set, Go
Established programs which drive hazard reduction through education and community actionPromotes individual responsibility rather than punitive codesMaintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!
21
3. Effective Hazard AssessmentIBHS research is giving us new insight into the most frequent actual causes of loss, helping us focus on whats most important
Wildfire Partners in Boulder, COFunded through the Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesDetailed field inspections by professionally trained expertsIssues certificates similar to Energy Smart Annual renewal and follow up
22
23Times are Changing!We Need to Fight Wildfires Smarter NOT Harder!Focus on pre-wildfire mitigation actions!98% of wildfire are controlled quickly2% of wildfires become Mega Fires
Bigger isnt always better!
24Take AwaysThe Wildfire Problem is Growing
Homes are Ignited Due to Fuels On, and Adjacent to, Structures
Wildfire Risk can be Effectively Reduced
You Can Make This Happen!
ResourcesIBHS www.disastersafety.orgInternational Code Councilwww.iccsafe.orgFirewisewww.firewise.orgReady Set Gowww.wildlandfirersg.org
25
Thank You!
Clark [email protected]
26