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PUBLICATIONS

Framework for Addressing the National Wildland Urban Interface Fire Problem--Determining Fire and Ember Exposure Zones Using a WUI Hazard Scale (NISTTN 1748)

Published

Author(s)

Alexander Maranghides, William Mell

Abstract

WUI fires offer a unique challenge to the fire fighting and fire protection engineering communities. The scale of the events can be vast, spanning in many cases over 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) and the number of structures involved can range into the thousands. The severity of the fire intensity is dependent on vegetative (wildland and ornamental) and structural fuels, topography, and weather. Compared to hurricanes and earthquakes, fire intensity can vary significantly over relatively short distances (fractions of a mile) resulting in complex fire suppression and evaluation operations. A scale needs to be created to help quantify the severity of WUI events. Once established, a technically based ember and fire exposure scale or M-scale for the WUI can then form the technical foundation for a set of building codes aimed at providing a level of structure ignition protection commensurate with the expected exposure from fire and embers. The M-scale concept is based on quantifying fire and ember exposure throughout an existing WUI community. The proposed M-scale could then be used to determine exposure zones for new and existing WUI communities. Additionally, the exposure scale can be linked to first responder and homeowner safety.
Citation
Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1748
Report Number
1748
NIST Pub Series
Technical Note (NIST TN)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Wildland, Wildland Urban Interface, WUI, fire exposure, ember exposure, M-scale
Buildings and Construction and Fire

Citation

Maranghides, A. and , W. (2013), Framework for Addressing the National Wildland Urban Interface Fire Problem--Determining Fire and Ember Exposure Zones Using a WUI Hazard Scale (NISTTN 1748), Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.1748 (Accessed December 17, 2024)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact reflib@nist.gov.

Created January 14, 2013, Updated November 10, 2018