Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work? The quick answer!
In the simplest terms, our fire protection teams will arrive at your home or business and fully envelop it in a 3,000 degree fire resistant blanket covering. This fully encapsulates your structure in a Zone Zero Fire Shield. The outside temperature around a house burning in a wildfire can reach upwards of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the intensity of the fire, with direct flame contact potentially reaching even higher temperatures exceeding 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Our blankets are overengineered to add unparalleled protection to your wildfire structure defense.
What’s the cost?
Each structure is different. The size of the home or business, the location, topology, ease of access, all play a role in the cost. For best results, fill out our contact form to get a free fire safe consultation and a Zone Zero Fire Shield estimate.
What is the fire rating of the covering?
We use blankets certified as safe and effective by the ISO, EN, and NFPA. The blankets have their roots in helping fire departments stop runaway, high-temperature lipo chemical fires in electric vehicles. These blankets are rated to withstand and extinguish fires up to 3,000 degrees, videos of which can be seen online. We chose these blankets because they're already tested, certified, proven, and used by fire services throughout the United States.
How is the covering sealed against blown embers at the joins?
Much like how termite tents completely envelop homes, and create an airtight covering, we too fully envelope the home to provide complete defense against any external ignition. The blanket seams are secured with high temperature stainless steel spring clamps. Once the blankets cover the home, are clamped together, and sealed to the ground, there is a nearly impenetrable barrier around the home.
How is it sealed where it meets the ground (or patio, etc.)?
We have several methods for fixing the blankets to the grounds, but there are two primary methods. On cement we used fire rated cement weights that have handles for easy lifting. Where there is grass or soil we use steel stakes to fix the blankets to the ground. We also have also developed proprietary solutions allowing us to create a very heavy contoured contact with nearly any ground surface.
Are plumbing, furnace, etc. exhaust vents covered by the 'tent' as well?
Yes, everything affixed to the home is covered. When finished, you can't see the home at all. In some cases, large propane tanks will be part of the home's energy system. We cover those as well. We even cover cars left in the driveway. When a family returns from a fire evacuation, they will find their cars and home in good condition.
Is there a portal to permit ingress/egress of occupants?
Yes, occupants and fire emergency crews can access the structure.
Is the shape of the 'tent' maintained by positive air pressure, does it rest upon the building, or?
There is a positive pressure, but primarily for preventing ember incursion. The Zone Zero Fire Shield does rest on the home in some places, but eves allow it to drape away from walls typically. This helps to protect the walls, but more significantly, it prevents window glass from breaking and creating an ember ingress or firestorm inside the structure. It rests on the roof and chimney. It would also rest on or over any decking. The blankets are engineered to block much of the heat from any flames, and embers burn out quickly, due to fuel starvation.
How long does it take to deploy?
We aim for under an hour, and our crew equipment and composition is designed to meet or exceed that time limit. However, some structures are very large or on difficult terrain, and may need multiple teams and more time.