In certain fire prone area’s that you here about in California with the Santa Ana winds or Colorado, are there higher “Fire-standards” than say overhere in Florida.
If so ,what are they and what can the builder do to make the home safer for the owner?
As a framing contractor I make sure there are proper hour rated fire and draft stop blocking to slow the movement of a fire from moving to quickly throughout the home.
Here is a site of some painting products that are fire retardant to slow the fire down.
Fire upgrades and preventative materials that are logical in home building would include:
Of course Fire blocking in framing
Fire rated insulating spray foams where code applicable in crevices,or around plumbing and electrical bore holes for conduit
upgrade to 5/8" drywall to improve fire rating
Fire Stop caulking where code applicable in crevices, or around plumbing and electrical bore holes for conduit
Metal skinned security doors
Install sprinkler system inside the home
In some states that are forest and brush fire prone you can upgrade to an exterior suppression system that will cover your roof and other prne areas in retardant foam before or during a fire
Clear brush away from the perimeter of your home, or any other source of fuel according to local fire code
Exterior lawn sprinklers
Fire retardant shingles,tiles, or metal roof system
Electrical-BX,EMT,PVC,or Rigid conduit instead of Romex or exposed wiring
Fire retardant paint
State of the art smoke and gas detection systems
Stucco,brick,cement based,or metal exterior, as an alternative to vinyl or composite siding
I have used every one of the applications in building with the exception of the exterior foam spray system to cover the roof and prone areas of the home. That is a costly upgrade but could be well worth it.
I would recommend researching the latest fire rated building products,and the newest fire code updates and addendums that are the most effective, and at the same time cost effective. If budget is no issue, then I would say go for it inside and outside of the home in new construction.You should consider using James Hardie Siding. It is a fiber cement siding board that is a certified fire resistance material.
Technological advancement in materials allow a contractor to reduce the fire hazards throughout a structure:
SPRINKLERS are #1 !
A fire alarm system that incorporates smoke detectors (in every bedroom, hallway and living area) with Carbon Monoxide detectors, pull stations and multiple sirens.
Build a concrete, cmu or IFS block structure
Seal all penetrations through walls & framing with fire retardant caulking (it is orange). This includes plumbing, electrical conduits, Romex, LV cables. Seal all crevases as well.
Sheer interior walls with plywood or OSB prior to sheetrock. The wall between the garage and house, extending up to the roof is the most critical firewall.
Fire blocks in the framing.
Solid core interior doors with threshold & frame seals.
Fireproof roofing materials (tile, concrete, steel)
Roof sheathing under the roofing materials
Fire resistant siding materials - stucco, stone, brick
Sheer the exterior of every wood framed wall
Enclosed the eaves and all overhanging rooflines
Interior shutters - draperies have been known to burst into flames merely due to exterior heat.
In fire prone areas (wooded areas) roof top sprinklers driven by a gas pump.
Install an underground propane tank, instead of an aboveground (in areas with low water tables only)
maintain a defensible space around the outside of the home - on hillsides this increases exponentially, as flames will become vertical
Plant fire resistant landscaping
Install a swimming pool with a gasoline powered pump for fire fighting or supplying exterior sprinklers
Install a standpipe for fire fighters from your swimming pool to the front yard/street.
remember - the denser the material is, the harder it is for it to burn (e.g. loose newspaper vs tightly rolled newspaper).Your question sounds like the fire issue is more related to the spread of fire onto the exterior of the home. Obviously, you need to take all precautions on the interior using the appropriate materials, fire blocking etc. But on the exterior I always use James Hardie siding. There are many benefits of the product - class A fire rating being a major one.
#1 is if a new home to use an ISOkern type fireplace built of fireproof masonry.
#2 is to use Type X fireproof drywall everywhere 5/8 inch thick instead of 1/2 inch thick use commercial rated drywall.
#3 use 26 gauge very light metal flashing for all exterior soffits/ the horizontal part of a roof, the underside of the roof edge.