Cover any sharp edges that might tear the material with duct tape or rags. Be careful that the shields do not catch on vent pipes or other obstacles.
FIREZAT- 22 YEARS SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS & HOME OWNERS- Now in Canada
Here are some things to remember that will make it easier and safer to protect your home during a bushfire or wildfire event.
There is no one right way to wrap a structure, but there are some easy basics that help get the job done. Before you start wrapping your structure, it's crucial to have a plan. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to wrapping, having a plan in place will guide your actions and make the process more manageable. Initially, you might feel uncertain, but as you start positioning the materials, the steps will quickly fall into place.
Break the project into panels or blocks, IE. The roof, the front of the house, the right side, the back, and so on. Assemble the tools you need. Something to prop up the roll to spool off material to cut to size. Staple guns and staples, chicken wire and cutters, tape measure, ladders and step stools, scissors or retractable knife, needle nose pliers for staple removal, sunglasses if deploying during the day, soaker hose if deploying water, and any others you might need. Have your sandbags filled and helpers ready to start as early as possible to beat the winds. The best time to install is early morning or late evening before the winds pick up. Always be careful when working on ladders and roofs and transporting material in the wind near powerlines.
First, Prop up your Fire Shield roll and stick a broomstick or shovel handle through the middle so the roll so you can spool off material. Measure your first wall; for example, the front of the home measures 40 feet across. Spool off 40 feet and cut the Fire Shield. Have two people take the material to the home. Begin at the bottom left and staple the material to the wall. Stretch it across the wall and staple it every few feet so it doesn’t buckle or sag. When done, spool off another 40 feet, cut it, and take it to the wall. This time, have step ladders and place this wrap above the first wrap, overlapping approximately 1 to 2 inches, and staple it in place. The front wall is now done. If you plan to use chicken wire, just use enough staples to hold the material firming in place. The wire will do the final anchoring. If not, make sure the material is secure enough to withstand heavy winds for hours to days. Leave no flaps or pieces of material loose on the wall.
Once your structure is wrapped, it's important to secure it against wind gusts. This can be done effectively with the use of chicken wire. Remember, the winds can persist for hours, so it's crucial to ensure there are no loose flaps that can be pulled off. Stretch and staple the chicken wire as needed, focusing on protecting seams, corners, and eaves. This is a cost-effective and reusable method that provides an added layer of protection to your home.
The first time you wrap a structure, you are customizing the wrap to fit your home perfectly. Most single-story homes with decks and walls can be wrapped in less than 6 hours the first time and 3 to 4 hours each time after that. If you are wrapping the roof, it can add more time, but they usually go fast because they are mostly flat. Make sure you have 3 or 5 people to help to make it go faster. That is about the same amount of time it would take to spray with foam. Once your shields are up, your home is protected for days or weeks or until you take them down. And your home will be cooler because all that heat is reflected away, like an oversized air conditioner without the power bill.
When you are ready to remove the Fire Shields, use needle nose pliers to pull the staples out. Use a permanent marking pen, and on the top left back of each piece, write the location. IE. Front, bottom left, or Top right side. Then roll or fold your Fire Shields for storage. The next time you deploy your shields, you just need to replace them, and with no measuring or cutting, they go up twice as fast. If you see little staple marks, you can spray the wood with water, and they will swell up and disappear.
Cover any sharp edges that might tear the material with duct tape or rags. Be careful that the shields do not catch on vent pipes or other obstacles.
If you are using water under the shields, it is highly recommended that you place your hose on each side of the roof peak with the sprinkler holes facing down. Do not turn on the water until you are done. SHIELDS ARE EXTREMELY SLIPPERY WHEN WET! If large branches or high heat reaches your Shields as temperature rises under the Shields in severe situations, steam will form, robbing oxygen and stopping ignition.
For the roof, you can measure from one side to the other and cut the Shields to length. Lay them on the ground and tape the seams. Roll them up and place them on the roof. This helps the roof wrapping go much faster.
Anchor the top part of the shields with sandbags or weights before you allow the bottom half to hang over the eave. Allow enough material to tuck under the eave and go down the wall at least 2 feet. Allow a path for the water to flow against the wall under the shields for maximum protection.
Use staples or chicken wire to anchor shield material. Remember, winds can and will blow up to 40 MPH OR MORE during the fire. Make sure all seams and edges are secure, and there are no holes where embers can enter. For best results, use chicken wire, and for long-running seams, you can use Nashua 324-A High Temp Foil tape. This tape is rated 320 degrees F and is available at Home Depot and other online retailers.
To wrap your first wall, measure the length you need, spool it off, and cut it with scissors. Wrap from the bottom up so the upper piece overlaps the bottom. Place the next wrap above the bottom wrap and staple it in place. Continue around the house, and when done, anchor and stretch the chicken wire along any seams, stretch it tight, and staple securely. The more chicken wire you use, the more wind-resistant your wrap will be.
Most stucco or brick homes are fire-resistant, but they may have wooden eaves, wooden fascia boards, or roofs that are not fire-rated. The best way to cover a roof and anchor the Fire Shields on these homes with the least impact is by following the diagram. Secure a board using a drill and molly screws in a key place the length of the wall and another on a far side of the structure. Attach the Fire Shield to the board. You can then firmly attach chicken wire to the 2 X 4 or board and stretch it over the wrap for more protection. Each case will be different, but you want the fire shields to be against the walls and roof with the least space possible.
Secure a board using a drill and molly screws in a key place the length of the wall and another on a far side of the structure. Attach the Fire Shield to the board. You can then attach chicken wire to the 2 X 4 or board firmly and stretch it over the wrap for more protection. Each case will be different but you want the fire shields to be against the walls and roof with the least amount of space possible.
When finished your home should be secure and properly sealed. CAUTION: Fire shields are slippery when dry. Be extremely careful when walking on them with wet shoes. If you have extra shields place them on the area that faces the fire assault for double protection. Two layers of fire shields provide ultimate protection.
Be extremely careful with your fire shields near power lines and power supplies running into your home via the roof. DO NOT TOUCH ANY POWER LINES WITH YOUR HANDS OR THE FIRE SHIELDS. Also do not allow the wind to blow the material into a power line. Tie weights or sandbags to the end of the material that will be nearest the power lines prior to positioning the shields.
If you intend to wet your roof, wait until you have deployed your fire shields. They are incredibly slippery when walking on, and they will be very slippery when they are overlapped or wet. Wetting after the shields are on will slow evaporation and keep the moisture on your roof much longer.
Use extreme caution when using ladders and walking on your roof. Make sure your roof is strong enough for people to walk on safely. Read the Firezat Disclaimer for more information.
Firezat makes no claims or statements, or offers any assurance or assurances, guarantees, promises, either direct or implied, as to the effectiveness or suitability of its products to protect any property or possessions from fire damage or any other calamity whether anticipated or foreseen. Due to the extreme conditions of high heat, high winds, low humidity, and unpredictability associated with all fires it is impossible to make such guarantees. Before using, the user agrees to assume all risks and liabilities in connection with deployment, application, use and/or storage of Firezat Fire Shields. Sellers and manufacturers only obligation shall be to replace any unused Fire Shields found to be defective within one year from the date of purchase. Please see Disclaimer for complete disclosure.
