Use Attic Venting Specifically Designed to Resist the Entry of Embers or Eliminate Attic Venting With an Unvented Attic. Do Not Install Any Vents or Openings in Foundation Wall.

These measures prevent fire from entering combustible, unconditioned building spaces where it can quickly spread throughout the home. For example, eave venting of the attic can utilize boxed eaves with strip soffit vents located along the outer edge of the overhang. The strip vents are covered with non-combustible, corrosion resistant mesh having openings no larger than ¼”.

Other products or systems specifically designed to resist fire or ember entry will incorporate a finer mesh secondary screen (i.e., one that is set back in the vent device), and other design features on the exterior side. In wildfire prone regions, check with the local fire or building department for a list of approved products.

An unvented attic design, where there are no attic vent openings to the outside, is another option (see Section 4.2.5 for additional discussion).
For foundation walls the same logic applies, and unvented foundation spaces like crawl spaces are recommended. The International Residential Code has recognized unvented crawl spaces for several years and includes provisions on this type of design.

Congratulations, you have completed the knowledge section of the course.

You may now complete the course by successfully passing the course quiz.