Construction: Build it right the first time

Selecting a site

  • Build on the most level portion of the land, since fire spreads rapidly uphill.
  • Set your single-story structure at least 30 feet back from any ridge or cliff; increase the distance if your home will be higher than one story.

Outbuildings    

  • Make sure an elevated wooden deck is not located at the top of a hill, where it will be in the direct line of a fire moving up slope. Consider a terrace instead.

  • Screen under or box in areas below the ground line with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 of an inch.


Design & building

  • Use construction materials that are fire-resistant or non-combustible.

  • Provide at least two ground level doors for safety exits and at least two means of escape – either a door or a window – in each room, so that everyone has a way out.

  • For roof construction, consider using materials such as Class-A asphalt shingles, slate, or clay, tile, metal, cement and concrete products, or terra-cotta tiles.

  • On exterior wall cladding, fire-resistant materials such as stucco or masonry are much better than vinyl, which can melt.

  • Double-pane windows and tempered glass are the most fire-resistant.            


A firm foundation
The Colorado State Forest Service is offering a comprehensive book for homeowners called Firewise Construction, by Peter Slack. The free book contains details on choosing a home site, firewise building designs, and fire-resistant materials. To get a copy of the guide, call 247-5250.
The most important part of the house...
... is the roof, because many embers being blown ahead of the fire are going to land on it. Unless the roof is in good repair and made of fire-resistant material, the chance of serious damage or loss of your house is ten times what it would otherwise be.



– Firewise