Satisfying WUI Requirements

About the Wildland Urban Interface Code

Local or state WUI codes are typically modelled after the International Wildland Urban Interface Code and adopted in whole or in part, often with additions accounting for specific regional considerations.  

That means that while WUI code can be very similar across most jurisdictions, WUI code and code requirements may vary depending on location and wildfire risk.  

The requirements for fire and ignition resistance may be covered by a variety of code references. In California, for example, WUI Code construction requirements are contained in the California Building Standard’s code, including: California Building Code, Chapter 7A; California Residential Code, Section R327; and California Referenced Standards Code, Chapter 12-7A.  If proposed solutions (product or assembly) are not currently approved to meet WUI requirements, they can be tested to prove they meet code requirements).

In wildfire-prone areas, WUI code generally sets out that the following major components of the home be addressed:

Note: This is a sample, not a complete list of components and detailscovered by WUI code.  

Roofs (CBC 705A / CRC R337.5)

Roofs can either be protected by a material with a Class A fire-resistance rating (required in State Responsibility areas, known as SRAs, or very High Hazard Fire Severity Zones).  Class A materials include clay, concrete, and slate, as well as many types of asphalt and metal. In all other zones, a fire-resistant roofingassembly is allowed.

For example, Class B wood roof shingles can be used over a Class A underlayment.  Any spaces between the roof covering and the roof decking must be constructed to prevent flames and embers from entering, be fire-blocked with approved materials, or have one layer of cap sheet installed over the combustible decking.  Valley flashing must be at least 26-gauge galvanized sheet metal over a 36-inch wide No. 72 cap sheet, complying with ASTM D3909.

Eaves (CBC 704A.2.1 and CBC 704.2.3 / CRC 337.7.4. and R337.7.5)

Eaves must be built with ignition-resistant or non-combustible material or include a 5/8” Type X gypsum backing. Metal and fiber cement are popular for soffit and fascia details. Additional code requirements may apply depending on whether building has open roof eaves or closed roof eaves and roof eave soffits.

Vents (CBC 706A / CRC R337.6.1 to CRC R337.6.3)

Attic vents and underfloor vent openings must resist the intrusion of flame and embers or shall be a minimum of 1/16" and maximum 1/8" corrosion-resistant, noncombustible wire mesh or equivalent.  Combustible vents on top of roofs may be covered with this material to comply.  Ventilation openings on the underside of eaves are not permitted unless eaves are fire sprinklered or vent is 12 feet above a walking surface or grade below. 

Windows and Exterior Doors (CBC 708A / CRC R337.8)

Windows are a weak point in the structure when it comes to wildfires.  For this reason under WUI Code the minimum standard is double glazing with tempered glass on the exterior.

Exterior doors should be fire rated or built from non-combustible or fire-resistant materials. 1 3/8” solid core doors are required and generally offer 20 minutes of fire protection, but faced metal core doors can offer extra protection, along with a metal door jamb.  While not required, metal panel garage doors are also recommended.  Opt for a tight install to prevent embers from sliding under or into any gaps.

Exterior Decking and Stairs (CBC 709A / CRC R337.9)

Walking surfaces of decks, porches, balconies and stairs within 10 feet of the building must be constructed of noncombustibleor fire-retardant treated materials that extend down within six inches of the ground. Alternatively, desired materials can be tested to demonstrate they meet WUI requirements.  Heavy timber construction is also approved.  Alternate materials can be used if they are ignition-resistant and pass performance requirements specified by the State Fire Marshal (California).  

Exterior Walls and Cladding (CBC 707A.3 /CRC R337.7.3)

Wall components and cladding must be noncombustible or ignition resistant or part of the exterior portion of a 1-hour assembly.  1-hour assemblies do serve to protect the occupants from wildfires, but do not address the phenomenon of flame propagation up the wall due to the engagement of components that can be ignited by a wildfire.

Cladding material can include fibre cement, stucco, plaster, brick or natural or manufactured stone and should cover the house from the foundation to the roof.

Heavy timbers, log wall construction or 5/8" Type X gypsum sheathing behind exterior covering is also permitted. Other noncombustible or ignition resistant options may be approved, if they can be shown to meet requirements.  Ignition-resistant materials are those tested in accordance to ASTM E2768 by a facility recognized by the State Fire Marshall or ICC-Evaluation Service, to have a flame-spread rating not over 25 and comply with accelerated weathering tests.

New Product Approvals – Convincing code officials, championing new solutions

A recent case in the state of California stands out.  Forward-thinking design firm, Sagan Design Group, wanted to break from a status quo WUI solution to meet requirements for the exterior wall assembly (2016 CRC – R337.7.3).  

Typically, designers are limited to tested assemblies for various sidings (usually must use a rated assembly).  Generally, those who do not wish to use a rated assembly must instead use 5/8” Type X gypsum sheathing under the exterior cladding to act as an ignition-resistant barrier in order to achieve WUI code compliance or have an alternative assembly/solution tested.  Sagan Design Group sought to use a continuous layer of exterior mineral wool semi-rigid board insulation instead of Type X gypsum, highlighting another key builder challenge: compliance with all the various codes—in this case the WUI code and the Energy Code, which do not consider one another.  Often, solutions will meet one code, but will not help address the simultaneous requirements of another—and, there isn’t necessarily a handbook or listings guide that tackles that.

In California and across the United States, energy codes have been growing stricter (and will continue to grow stricter still), requiring tighter building envelopes with lower U-values that address air leakage and thermal bridging respectively.  Sagan Design Group was met with the challenge of achieving the 2016 Energy Standards, approximately 20 – 30 % more stringent than the 2013 Standard, while also meeting R-value targets and satisfying WUI requirements.  

Tim Melin, P.E., a Civil Engineer with the firm, states that while a number of solutions exist, it is getting more difficult to satisfy all codes simultaneously.  As result, he notes that the design/build community will need to champion innovative approaches to meet more complex design challenges particularly as the state moves toward Zero NetEnergy (takes effect January 2020) and better energy performance is required with each new code cycle.

For low-rise residential buildings, U-values and R-values are outlined in the CA Energy Code Table 150.1-A.  It notes that the prescriptive wall requirement in Climate Zone 16 requires a maximum U-value of 0.051.  Yet, 2016 Reference Appendices (June 2015 – CEC -400-2015-038-CMF) states that, without continuous exterior insulation (2 x 6 @ 16-inch on centreframing using R-25 cavity insulation), the lowest U-factor that can be achieved is 0.065 and is therefore not acceptable (Appendix JA4-28, Table 4.3.1, Row 9, Column A, 2016 Ref. App.).  As a result, the ability to meet California Energy Code without continuous exterior insulation is becoming ever more difficult, and in the future as code tightens, continuous exterior insulation is likely to become standard practice.  

When continuous exterior insulation is present, a reference in the above stated table also notes that it is likely to be foam insulation.  While it can meet energy code, there is some debate about adding to a home’s potential fuel load in WUI zones.Foam plastic products, when ignited, burn rapidly and produce both heat and toxic gases, contributing to the potential fuel load for a fire and allowing it to burn more intensely and for longer.6Yet, foam insulation can be used within an assembly and still meet WUI requirements when covered with Type X gypsum, although it requires a wall system with more layers (foam insulation plus 5/8” type X gypsum).  Melin notes that that’swhere the case for continuous exterior mineral wool sheathing board proves to be strong.  The mineral wool continuous exterior insulation can simultaneously achieve WUI compliance without the need for gypsum—eliminating a layer within the assembly and potentially reducing install time, labour, and costs—and also meet energy code requirements.  

In making its case to local code officials, Sagan Design Group and ROCKWOOL demonstrated that the continuous exterior mineral wool sheathing board (ROCKWOOL® COMFORTBOARD™ 80) provided the noncombustible, ignition-resistant performance benefits equivalent to Type Xgypsum, while also delivering a wall system that reaches necessary R-values and contributes to the strict U-value rating. 

The mineral wool continuous insulation also proved further advantageous, allowing for a wide variety of cladding options, a benefit that would also sit well with homeowners who often insist on specific materials to achieve a certain aesthetic. Additionally, it helps achieve a wall assembly that is breathable and hydrophobic to water, helping to guard against moisture issues.  

While many other options are possible (there are no one-size-fits-all solutions), designers do face challenges in meeting the array of more complex requirements, and there are barriers.  For example, software modelling programs of performance-based models make it difficult to model some solutions such as offset studs, making it more difficult and time consuming to get alternatives passed.  Meanwhile, when meeting energy code, it is becoming near impossible to employ a straight prescriptive method.  It’s no longer enough to target the low hanging fruit such as improving mechanical systems, water heaters or components like windows to improve performance to the standard now required.  Not to mention, this doesn’t even address simultaneous codes such as WUI regulations.  As a result, the new low-hanging fruit is insulation—continuous exterior insulation to be precise.  

Sagan Design Group worked directly with mineral woolinsulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL, building a case filled with data, testing, documentation, code references, certifications and more to show building officials that not only could mineral wool sheathing boards meet WUI requirements, they could replace Type X drywall all together under cladding in the exterior wall system.  In the end, local officials approved what might end up being a trailblazing solution.  In fact, ROCKWOOL COMFORTBOARD™ mineral wool exterior sheathing board has now received certification in California (as of July 2019) in the State Fire Marshall’s Building Materials Listing Program (BML).  Resistant to fire up to 2,150˚F with a 0/0 Smoke Development and Flame Spread rating, COMFORTBOARD™ has met or exceeded strict standards in fire-related product performance testing.  The State Fire Marshall’s BML Program certifies products based upon an evaluation of test results that include an analysis of required product performance and reliability features.  All testing for ROCKWOOL product was completed with a State Fire Marshall (SFM) accredited laboratory.  

Given the direction of energy codes and the need to satisfy both energy and WUI requirements in Wildlife Urban Interface Areas, it seems inevitable that the residential built environment may be on the cusp of change driven largely by code compliance.  It’s undeniable that how we build is, in fact, changing.  Surprisingly, however, in embarking on the approval process, the teams from Sagan Design Group and ROCKWOOL found that there were currently no approved assemblies utilizingcontinuous exterior insulation in existence in the WUI Building Materials Listing Program. Both the firm and the manufacturer worked hard to amend that.  Documentation is available outlining the certification and the full testing results for ignition resistance and 1-hour system testing on relevant assemblies using ROCKWOOL mineral wool for the California market.  

“We need to build smarter to meet the more complex demands of today’s building codes and standards,” notes Melin.  “We’re now building for structure, energy, safety, moisture management and air/vapour considerations.  Products need to be versatile.  Mineral wool semi-rigid exterior board sheathing in the form of continuous insulation is a serious multi-tasker.  With it, we can meet WUI requirements, we get energy performance, comfort, sound control, breathability, hydrophobic properties and compatibility with a wide range of other components.”  

This example shows that we can build better within WUI areas. WUI code in itself isn’t the greatest challenge, although it can be a hurdle.  The main challenge is meeting WUI requirements plus the complex array of requirements inside the rest of the suite ofbuilding codes. What that means is that designers and builders will need to look to building products that do more. They’ll need to use their experience to continue to do what has always driven the built community forward: thinking beyond the status quo.  Better solutions should also pay off for homeowners as well, with more durable, resilient buildings that require less energy and also less maintenance and/or remediation down the road.