Projects

Across The U.S.

MORAGA, CA

A California-style bungalow home.

Under the Moraga Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Home Hardening Grant Program. MOFD provides in-kind Bushfire Mesh 7.5″ cut pieces.

The homeowner undertook to retrofit his 60+ vents as a DIY project.  The homeowner had quoted out the project with other products and realized not only was their product more expensive, but the installation process was a lot more challenging and not a DIY project.

Vents are often the main entry point of embers, and
this homeowner is now protected.

DIY Installation

Applications

  • Vents
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Frequently Asked Questions

At Wildfire Defense Mesh, we get a lot of commonly asked questions about our range of products and their many applications.
This FAQ page lists those frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us for help.

 

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Australian Standards 3959 – Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas and the different Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Building Codes in the U.S., CA Building Code, IWUIC, NFPA, etc. are all based on similar research. Embers are 80-90% of the cause for building loss, followed by radiant heat and direct flame.

A homeowner cannot control the land and vegetation outside of their property boundary. Therefore, codes make us look to what we can control. As a building code generally take years to write and update, we now look to National and State Fire Authorities for Best Practice.

The current best practice are to develop layers of defense, being Home Hardening and creating Defensible Space to be part of your solution to protect your home and assets.

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While many different local governments may have their iterations of wildfire codes or recommendations. These are likely derived from the three most widely implemented wildfire codes, being:

  • The International Code Council’s International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC),
  • The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire (Standard 1144), and
  • The California Building Code Chapter 7A — Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure.
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  • Stainless steel has a high melting point and the research states that the protection should be able to withstand 900+ degrees C where as aluminium Melts at 700 Degrees C
  • Stainless steel is non corrosive and low maintenance where as galvanised steel loses its non corrosive protection over time
  • Stainless steel is non combustible and will not increase your building fire load
  • Stainless steel can reflect Radiant heat resulting in a lower temperature on the non fire side. This lower temperature will reduce the likelihood of fire continuing beyond the barrier
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  • When there is no fire situation:
    The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and will allow areas that get wet to dry out
  • When there is a Fire situation:
    The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and the mesh acts as a filter that “knocks out” embers as they are carried by the winds
  • Solid metal barriers deflect the wind up and over the fence leaving the ember in the wind allowing the ember to enter the defendable space
  • Solid fences require large footings as they are subject to the full force of the wind
  • Woven Mesh is strong and it keeps its shape
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  • It is manufactured to ISO 9000 Quality Standards
  • It is strong and can keep animals and insects out of protected spaces
  • Available in black powder coated finish and blends into the environment
  • Provides a privacy feature when installed
  • Supplied with additional wires, top and bottom to make securing easy
  • Has been independently tested and passed Australian Standards and U.S. Standards
  • Meets the requirements per International Wildland Urbane Interface Code (2015)
  • Class A Fire Rated Product per UL 723 / ASTM E84
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SSWM Product Selection Guide & Planning Guide are great resources and tools to select the most appropriate width for your application. Before you install Bushfire Mesh, you will need to consult and confirm with NFPA / Firewise, State or you Local Fire Authority home hardening guidelines or a Wildfire Home Assessment specialist

Remember Bushfire Mesh is part of your wildfire solution for Home Hardening and Defensible Space.