Wildfire Defense for your home
Embers are the #1 threat during a wildfire—protect vulnerable areas such as decks and fence lines, exterior ventilation, crawlspaces, rain gutters, eave overhangs, and attic and garage spaces.
Vulnerable Property Areas
Embers are the #1 cause of home fires
FireStorm® Ember Mesh & Ember Mesh Vents protect buildings & infrastructure against ember attacks and radiant heat. Ember attacks account for up to 90% of buildings lost during a wildfire. FireStorm® Ember mesh stops embers from entering gaps and reflects radiant heat caused by fires.
Easy to Install, Built to Protect
Install it yourself or have your handyman install it
Installing FireStorm® products is straightforward, thanks to our user-friendly design and product options. To help you get the job done right, take a look at these detailed installation instructions for every product in our lineup. Whether you’re retrofitting existing structures or working on new construction, our step-by-step guides make it simple to enhance your home’s wildfire defense with confidence.
Ember Vent Installation
1. Remove the Existing Vent
If the existing vent obstructs the installation of the new vent screen, carefully remove it. If the vent is recessed and does not interfere, you can leave it in place.
2. Measure the Rough Opening
Measure the dimensions of the rough opening where the new vent will be installed. Ensure accurate measurements to select the correct size vent. Choose one of our vents that is big enough to ensure that our mounting flange sufficiently over laps your building material and allows you to securely fasten our vent to your building, leaving no gaps for possible ember penetration.
3. Prepare the Vent
If you have chosen one of our available colors, you can skip this section and begin mounting your vent. If you’ve chosen our Bonderized finish option, you can paint your vent directly without the need for primer. Masking off the vent face is optional. Our black powder coating nearly disappears once the vents are installed. Select the appropriate fasteners based on the type of siding on your home. This could include screws, nails, or other fasteners suitable for your siding material.
4. Mount the Vent
Position the new vent over the rough opening and secure it using your selected fasteners. We recommend fastener spacing of 6”. Ensure the vent is firmly attached and properly aligned with the siding. For uneven surfaces, more fasteners may be needed. If you find screwing directly through the metal frame difficult, you can pre-drill guide holes at each corner of the metal frame with a metal drill bit. This will make screwing the fasteners much easier.
5. Checking Your Installation
Ensure that your vent is securely fastened to your siding and that there are no gaps bigger than 1/16” that could allow for ember intrusion.
6. Vent Assemblies
For installation instruction on our full vent assemblies, such as dormer vents, gables vents, and 2-way vents, consult your local building professional.
Ember Mesh Installation
FireStorm® Ember Mesh is extremely versatile. It may be used to protect nearly every opening on a home that could allow for ember penetration, including skirting for decks and ember fencing around your property.
Ember Fencing and Decking
Measure the Perimeter
Measure your perimeter ensuring that you have a proper mounting surface along the entire span of the area to be protected, ensuring that your fastener spacing is no greater than 6”- 8”. It’s recommended to leave a 2” tail on each edge of your Ember Mesh run to ensure ample material to fasten to your framing and supports.
Securing the Bottom Edge
If no mounting surface is present along your span, we recommend digging a small trench approx. 6” deep along the span to be protected. Bend 2” of the bottom edge of our Ember Mesh at 90 degrees. This edge should be facing towards you during the installation. Burry the edge along the span and firmly pack in the dug up material.
Verticals
Our Ember Mesh should be fastened along each upright along your span, as well as along the top edge, ensuring that your fastener spacing does not exceed 6” 8”.
Securing the Top Edge
For decks and framed fencing, fasten this edge with fasteners every 6” – 8”. If no vertical mounting is available, you may follow the same premise as the “bottom edge” and bend 2” of your top edge at 90 degrees facing toward you during installation. Fasten this 90 edge to the underside of your horizontal supports that run along your span.
Retro-fitting Vents
Installing from the front
Measure the existing opening of your vent. Cut our Ember Mesh 2” wider and 2” taller than your existing ventilation opening. This ensures that there is ample room to fasten our mesh to your siding leaving no gaps.
Installing from the back
If you have access to the back side of your existing vent, you can follow the same steps as above, provided that you have a consistent mounting surface on the back side of your existing vent, such as its framing.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing FireStorm Gutter Guards
1. Prepare the Gutters
Begin by removing all existing debris from your gutters. Inspect the gutters for any damage and make any necessary repairs to ensure a secure and effective installation.
2. Position the Gutter Guard
Slide the back rail of the gutter guard underneath the roofing material, ensuring it is positioned far enough for the notched front rail to sit squarely against the front edge of the gutter.
3. Secure the Gutter Guard
Using the included self-drilling Daggerz® fasteners and magnetic hex-driver, secure each gutter guard with three evenly spaced fasteners along the front edge of the gutter, ensuring that they are evenly spaced along the length.
4. Ensure Overlap
To maintain full coverage, ensure the mesh tabs at the ends of each guard overlap with the adjacent guard, preventing any gaps in protection.
Our Trusted Partners and Compliance Agencies
At FireStorm® Building Products, we prioritize safety and compliance by working closely with leading agencies and organizations. Our commitment to wildfire defense is reflected in our adherence to the following standards and partnerships:
Grants may be available through your local Firewise, Fire Safe Councils, or your Fire Department’s public safety programs.
IBHS Wildfire Prepared
Collaborating to meet rigorous standards for wildfire-resilient homes.
California Building Codes
Ensuring our products are approved for use under the latest Chapter 7A requirements.
FireSafe Council
Supporting community-based wildfire education and mitigation efforts.
FireWise USA®
Partnering to promote fire-resistant strategies and community preparedness.
Cal Fire
Aligning with the state’s premier fire prevention and protection agency.
IWUI Standards
Meeting the stringent requirements for homes in Wildland-Urban Interface zones.
There is strength in numbers
Properties are better protected when neighbors also take action to install wildfire home products.
Implementing home hardening practices, such as installing fire- and ember-resistant vents, mesh, and gutter guards, is essential for safeguarding residential communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) from wildfires. Research has shown that homes built to WUI standards experience a 40% higher survival rates in wildfire-prone areas. For instance, during, the 2007 Witch Creek, The Camp Fire in Paradise, and Grizzly Flats fire in California, properties constructed to WUI standards performed far better than those that were not and in some cases, survived undefended! These strategies are proven to work!
By implementing these practices, entire communities can achieve better protection and reduce the risk of property loss, which can also lead to lower insurance premiums and fewer recovery costs after a fire.
Let’s Build a Safer Future!
Give us a call or submit your information via the form and a team member will get back to you.
Phone
(916) 652-7424
Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8AM – 4PM Pacific Time
