Losing your home to a wildfire is a devastating experience. However, it presents a unique opportunity for you to rebuild your home in a way that helps mitigate wildfire risk in the future. During this process of reconstruction, it is important to prioritize safety and compliance with local bylaws. In order to successfully restore your home, Kelowna house builders, like Arnold Construction will take a comprehensive approach that takes into account both the functional aspects and future protection of the property. In this article, we will be going over the importance of safety and ensuring strict cooperation with local building codes, zoning regulations, and new wildfire safety guidelines.
Follow along below to learn more.
Kelowna House Builders Emphasize Safety and City Guidelines
- Building Codes
Complying with local building codes is a critical part of rebuilding after a wildfire. Building codes are designed to ensure that structures are constructed to withstand the conditions of the local environment. Following your city’s building code will make sure that you don’t skip important requirements about what materials are appropriate, how to proceed with construction and other safety precautions. Failing to comply with local building codes is not only illegal but also dangerous. Furthermore, it can put your home at greater risk in the event of future wildfires. If you aren’t sure what the requirements are for your new home, ask your Kelowna house builders!
- Zoning Regulations
Another important detail to pay attention to is your property’s zoning regulations. Zoning rules are put into place to ensure that landowners do not misuse their property. This helps to regulate the layout and density within local communities. After experiencing a wildfire, it is critical that you reevaluate your property’s zoning guidelines to ensure that you are not violating any ordinances. Within these regulations, you may notice that there is information which dictates where you can build structures, setbacks from property lines and considerations for landscaping. Do not disregard this information, as it can make a vital difference in your property’s wildfire safety.
- Following Wildfire Safety Guidelines
Every year, wildfire experts and city officials do their best to improve safety in wildfire-prone areas. This is often done in wildland-urban interface areas (WUIs) as they are at high risk for fires. Keeping in the know about the latest fire prevention techniques and ways to stay safe during a wildfire is key. Especially, when you are reconstructing your home. Following these guidelines will ensure that you create a defensible space, that is built with fire-resistant materials.
Building with Fire Prevention in Mind
- Building With Non-Combustible Materials
When rebuilding your home, make sure that you choose the right materials. A large part of keeping your home safe has to do with what your home is built from. Choosing fire-resistant materials for your roof, siding, and windows is essential. Opting for metal and cement over wood, is intelligent. This is especially true for those in WUI areas. Additionally, using tempered glass in your windows and doors will make your home much less likely to catch fire. This can be a critical line of defence in protecting your home and respective belongings.
- Maintained Landscape
Another key part to consider when rebuilding your home is the defensibility of your land. A defensible space is defined as the buffer that you create between a building on your property and the wildlife (grass, trees, shrubs, etc) that surrounds it. By strategically managing vegetation, removing dead plants, and ensuring that trees are sufficiently spaced apart, you can prevent the rapid spread of flames. This will help to increase the chances of your home surviving another wildfire without damage.
- Easy Access for Emergency Services
Finally, when rebuilding, it is crucial that you think about the entry and exit points available on your property. Having proper access points for emergency services is of great importance. After all, the ease at which fire crews and medical staff can access your property can be a matter of life and death. Having sufficient road access, wide driveways, and clear pathways for firefighters and first responders can make a huge difference in the event of an emergency!
Contact Kelowna House Builders Arnold Construction Co. Today!
Rebuilding after a wildfire is a tough process. Enlist the help of Kelowna house builders Arnold Construction Co. to make sure that your home is reconstructed with safety and fire prevention at the forefront of your design. Contact Kelowna house builders today for more information about home restoration after a wildfire. We’d be happy to help you get started on building your new home. Be sure to check out our social media page for current and past projects we’ve worked on.
We look forward to working with you in the near future!
