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FirewiseVirginia

Fire Hazard Test

Is your home safe from wildfire?

If a wildfire threatened your home, would your home survive? Take this test and learn how vulnerable your home is. Select the buttons that correspond to your condition and select "submit" at the bottom. Your hazard rating and some recommendations will appear in a new window. Use this test to evaluate the fire hazard of your home. Play with the settings to determine which aspects affect the outcome the greatest. In some cases an image is provided to illustrate a good or bad condition. Other images represent a balance between good and bad.

Site Hazards

Surrounding Trees

Hardwoods (leafed trees)

No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

Conifers (needled)
No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

Mixed Wood

No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

Ladder Fuels
Underbrush and low branches present?
Yes No

Type of Ground Cover
(majority of type of coverage within 30')

Sand, Gravel, etc (Non-combustible)
Grasses up to 6" tall
Grasses 6" - 12"
Grasses greater than 12"
Mosses
Shrubs with leaves
Shrubs with needles

Firewood or Fuel Storage
(e.g. propane/oil tanks)

None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

Brush Piles
None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

Gas Cans, Paint, etc

None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

Open Burning Practiced?

Yes No

No Burn Barrel/Incinerator
or not to Standard?

Yes No

Outbuildings within 20'
of Structure?
Yes

Total Site Hazard =

Structural Hazards

Roofing Materials
Metal, tile, or fiberglass
Asphalt shingles/rolled roofing
Wood (Cedar shingles)

Foundation
Enclosed (Fireproof, i.e., concrete, metal)
Enclosed with wood sheeting
Open

Exterior Wall Materials
Brick/Stone/Metal
Vinyl/Wood

Decks and Overhangs?
Yes
No

Total Structural Hazard =

HAZARD REDUCTION

Site Hazard Reduction Activities
Trees pruned up to 6'
Lot cleared of brush within 30'
Grass kept watered and short
Leaves/needles raked
3' of gravel or non-flammable material adjacent to structure

Structure Hazard Reduction Activities
Regularly cleaned roof
Non-flammable skirting on decks
Clear of flammable material against structure

Other Hazard Reduction Activities

Useable water supply nearby
Fire fighting equipment - hose, ladder, shovel
Communication system (phone, radio)
Knowledge of fire reporting number
Burn barrel/incinerator to standard
Outbuildings hazard-free

Total Hazard Reduction =

Last modified: Friday, 07-Mar-2008 16:06:30 EST