Wildfire Resilience: Hardening Structures & Communities (Webinar)
Course Description:
There is an urgent need to perform parcel assessments in order to harden homes, parcels and communities to “stand alone” to survive wildfires. Why? Multiple fires and other conditions may outpace the efforts of first responders. What is needed to mitigate risks for individual buildings and communities? A comprehensive structure and parcel assessment based on a burn test study Kliewer and Associates (K&A), performed and the Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM) published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
In early 2024 and funded by SCE, Kliewer & Associates performed a burn test study that represented a high-density setting. One conventionally framed structure was not hardened against wildfire and had no defensible space. The hardened structure had a structure separation distance of 10’ from the burn structure and had defensible space. Thermocouples and cameras were placed inside and around the hardened structure to measure the temperature behind the fire rated door, window, and in the middle of the ceiling. The resulting forensic study performed after the burn test was completed, exposed vulnerable locations in the building assembly. Discover what features were most effective for survivability, and what features increased vulnerability and damage. Find out why some homes survive an event while the surrounding structures are destroyed.
This study sheds light on how to rebuild or retrofit structures and parcels with ignition-resistant building assemblies and how full structure hardening against direct flame exposure may greatly increase the probability of high-density homes surviving wildfires.
Building Scientist Ron Kliewer, Research Engineer Chad Gretzner, and Chris Mellen, P.E., will discuss the nuts and bolts of a wildfire hardened building envelope and the energy efficiency gains that are achievable.
Agenda:
- Taught simultaneously as a webinar and in-person at SCE’s Energy Education Center (EEC), Irwindale classroom and partly in the EEC Smart Energy Experience Home using the full size Wildfire Hardened High-Performance Wall (HPW)/High-Performance Attic (HPA) displays.
- The course will include a fact sheet guide.
Learning Outcomes:
- How to build, rebuild or retrofit existing structures in a cost-efficient way, implementable by Pros, DIYers, and communities.
- Reduce the vulnerability of structure and parcel ignition from wildfires by choosing ignition-resistant assemblies and materials.
- How to protect structures in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to “stand alone” or as a community to survive fire and ember exposures when first responders are not yet available to intervene.
- How to perform a parcel assessment for wildfire hardening.
- Identify the 40 structure ignition vulnerabilities.
- Locate, prioritize, and choose fire resistant building materials.
- Use limited funds to target key strategies to slow the spread of a wildfire
- Identify fire hazard severity zones in your area.
Target Audience:
- Homeowners/ Remodelers
- Architects
- Builders & Contractors
- Building Inspectors
- Community Leaders
- Developers
- Engineers
- Hazard Mitigation Specialists
- HOA’s
- FireWise Communities
Prerequisite(s):
Participants will benefit if they are motivated to be prepared for wildfire exposures, whether individually, or as a community.
Learning Units:
- 3.5 AIA|HSW
Learning Level:
Intermediate Class: Content is appropriate for individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the topic and have familiarity with basic terminology and methodology of the subject matter. Attendees should have the capacity to participate in instructor-led exercises requiring synthesis and application of concepts.
Instructors:
• Ron Kliewer began his career framing houses and remodeling, eventually becoming a custom home builder and General Contractor, He holds BPI and IR certifications and has constructed a wide range of projects, from outhouses to nuclear power plants. Throughout his career, Ron has worn many hats, including framer, electrician, special inspector, project manager and general contractor. His early interest in energy efficiency led him into the world of building science, where he has collaborated with Southern California Edison, Bonneville Power Administration, Electric Power Research Institute, and other organizations on energy research projects.
• Chris Mellen, PE, is the Senior Engineer for Kliewer and Associates, managing multiple energy research projects and providing technical support to Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute for Demand Response and Emerging Technology energy pilots. He is a member of CABEC, ASHRAE, and PMI, with experience in energy code compliance. As an early adopter of emerging technology, Chris lives in a home served by heat pump technology, including a water heater, clothes dryer, and (soon) several mini splits. A long-time member of the ASHRAE Orange Empire Chapter, Chris is the past Chapter Historian.
• Chad Gretzner is a Research Engineer at Kliewer and Associates and NFPA Reducing Wildfire Risk to Property: Professional. He assists with project management for the Zero Flame Spread project funded by Southern California Edison and has contributed to the design and forensic study of a 1-hour burn test study representing high-density communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). This research led Kliewer & Associates to develop the class “Practical Guide to Hardening Structures & Parcels Against Wildfires” and the design and implementation of the “Parcel Assessment for Wildfire Hardening” (PAWH) form.
Special Instructions:
This course is offered as a hybrid event, both In-Person and as an online Webinar. This is a live Webinar class presented via Microsoft TEAMS; internet access is required.
Details
- Date:
- July 14
- Time:
-
8:30 am - 12:00 pm PDT
- Event Category:
- Southern California Edison
- Register Here
Organizer
- Southern California Edison
