NFPA 1144-2018 PDF Download

The NFPA 1144-2018 standard is a comprehensive guide that aims to minimize the risk of structure ignition during a wildfire event. It provides rules for conducting hazard assessments, designing buildings, and implementing fuel modifications. This standard is crucial for community preparedness and protection, offering a methodology for assessing wildfire ignition hazards around existing structures and establishing requirements for new construction.

The 2018 edition of NFPA 1144 has been updated to include the latest industry data from authoritative sources such as the USDA Forest Service and NIST. It covers various aspects of design, construction, and landscaping elements for structures situated in the wildland-urban interface. The standard introduces key clarifications for important definitions, including "defensible space," "ignition-resistant material," "wildland-urban interface," and "intermix."

Additionally, NFPA 1144 incorporates the evaluation of the site for conflagration hazards into the structural assessment. It revises requirements for construction design and materials, incorporating specific compliance elements based on ASTM testing standards. These revisions encompass aspects such as roof design and materials, vents for attics, subfloors, and walls, projection areas like balconies, carports, decks, and patio covers, enclosed roofs and floors, exterior vertical walls, and exterior openings.

The standard serves as a valuable resource for various stakeholders involved in wildfire planning and development. It offers basic criteria for fire agencies, land use planners, architects, developers, and local government when planning developments in areas susceptible to wildfires. By applying this standard alongside a cooperative approach among different disciplines, it provides guidance for designing and developing Firewise Communities in or near wildland fire-prone areas. Landscapers, commercial property owners, and homeowners can also utilize this document to reduce the likelihood of structure ignition during a wildfire event.