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Frequently Asked Questions
The following section addresses many of the questions asked by architects, builders, roofing contractors, homeowners and distributors regarding the BrandGuard Vents range.
How do BrandGuard Vents work?
Home hardening is a critical factor to improve the survivability of structures during wildfires. All homes have vulnerable “point of entry” that must be sealed to avoid hot embers and fire from entering the structure. Home ventilation is essential from an energy saving point of view, however in case of a fire nearby, there is a risk of hot embers finding their way into your attic, basement, garage, etc. BrandGuard has patented a unique system to keep embers from entering your house. Our design consists of multiple line of defense:
- A baffle design which allows air to move freely, but traps embers
- BrandGuard propriety intumescent material, which expand only if high heat and extreme flames are reaching the vents
- Non combustible, metal vents which resist heat and flames
These three combined technologies, help protecting your home, in case of a wildfire, increasing the survivability ratio of the structures.
How are BrandGuard Vents different than standard vents?
BrandGuard Vents resists the intrusion of flame and embers into your attic through the building’s vents, thus protecting your home from dangerous flying embers created by wildfires.
Standard Vents do not offer any protection against flying embers and fire.
Why are baffles better for protection?
Baffles have long been used in commercial kitchens as a way to prevent stovetop fires. We have redesigned them to help keep flames, dangerous burning embers, and radiant heat out of your home during a wildfire. Baffles provide immediate protection during a wildfire from the very first second of exposure.
Another reason baffles are better is because they provide protection from driving rain, snow, and rodents. Our vents have passed stringent driving rain tests in Hurricane labs in Florida keep heavy driving rain out at even 140mph! Rodents are unable to chew or squeeze through our vents like they do with regular mesh vents, making them an excellent option for pest control!
What is an intumescent material?
BrandGuard Vents are equipped with a propriety material (intumescent) which expands in case of fire. The thermally activated strip expands up to 30 times its original thickness, sealing off the vent completely. This is an extreme measure to make sure that fire doesn’t penetrate the home.
What are the features and benefits?
BrandGuard Vents resist the intrusion of flame and embers into your attic through the building’s vents, thus protecting your home from dangerous flying embers created by wildfires.
Provides comparable airflow and WON’T CLOG- BrandGuard Vents protect your building while providing almost the same airflow compared to standard vents. Our unique patented vents maintain the same airflow over time, because the vents do not clog and they are easy to clean if needed.
ASTM E2886/2912 : Only vent with a FULL STATE LISTING: BrandGuard Vents currently have the only fire vent with a full listing with the State of California’s BML Program having passed all aspects of ASTM E2668/2912 for Flames, Embers and Radiant Heat in both the Vertical and Horizontal positions. All of our vents have been approved and used on the local level since 2007. They have been proven in actual wildfires and have helped save many homes in recent California Wildfires.
20 Year Warranty: We offer a 20 year limited warranty. Our products are made of long lasting 26ga G90 Galv Steel. A material that has been used in the industry for over 60 years.
Protects from Rain, Snow and Rodents Our vents have passed stringent driving rain tests in Hurricane labs in Florida keep heavy driving rain out at even 140mph! Rodents are unable to chew or squeeze through our vents like they do with regular mesh vents, making them an excellent option for pest control!
What products do you make?
We make Soffit, Undereave, Dormer, Ridge, Gable, Access panels, and Foundation vents. All of our fire vents come in Retrofit and New Construction options.
Are custom vents/products available?
Yes, BrandGuard Vents will work with you and your needs to create a custom fire prevention vent for your project.
What materials are used to make BrandGuard Vents?
BrandGuard Vents are made standard with 26 gauge G90 galvanized steel. We can customize as well with copper, stainless steel, bonderized or aluminum zinc.
What colors are available?
BrandGuard Vents can be painted by the installer to match the color of the house.
How are the vents installed?
BrandGuard Vents are installed like any traditional vent with the same footprint. Our line of retrofit fire Vents can be easily inserted over existing vents without any damage to the structure. They are held in place by applying appropriate screw fasteners. They can also be installed from inside the attic. Please see our installation instructions.
Whare are the vents sold?
BrandGuard Vents are available where building material and roofing products are sold. If you need help finding or ordering the product, please contact us directly at (949) 305 8059
What is the delivery time?
Delivery time is usually extremely quick, depending on stock and custom product availability.
What is home hardening?
Home Hardening will reduce the chance of ignition from direct flame, firebrand showers and radiant heat coming from outside of the defensible zone.
How can I protect my home from wildfires?
No home is fireproof, but by taking precautions, you can help prepare your home.
Here are some ways to make your home and property more resistant to wildfire:
– Remove dead vegetation from plants and lower branches from tall trees.
– Keep the gutters, roof and outdoor spaces free of debris like leaves and twigs.
– Replace standard vents with Fire / Ember stopping Brandguard vents.
– Move firewood at least 30 feet from the house.
– Use roofing materials with a Class A fire rating (the highest).
– Replace single-pane windows with multi-pane, tempered glass windows with screens.
How do houses catch fire during a wildfire?
Embers cause the majority of wildfire home ignition by directly igniting your home or igniting vegetation or materials on or near your home that results in flames touching your house or a high heat (radiant heat) exposure that may break glass in a window.
Why is it important to replace vents?
Vents provide two important functions. Vents allow for air circulation to reduce the heat in your attic and allow moisture to escape that can lead to moisture degradation issues over time. Embers can easily slip through foundation, roof, or attic vents. Once inside, embers can ignite debris and items stored inside the house. BrandGuard Vents stop embers from entering the attic making your home safer.
Are BrandGuard Vents WUI code compliant?
YES, all Brandguard Vents are WUI code compliant.
In chapter 7A of the California Building Code, it is now required by law that new homes constructed in the WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) must install ember and fire resistant vents. The WUI consists of areas where homes are built adjacent to unoccupied natural areas, such as forests.
Do I live in a WUI area?
Today there are nearly 45 million homes in the wildland/urban interface (WUI), the term that describes the area where homes and communities encroach wildfire hazard-prone landscapes.
Research has consistently shown the role embers play in igniting homes in the WUI. It has also shown that there is an increased survival rate of homes constructed from fire-resistant materials on property that has been mitigated to remove sources of fuel for a fire.
Check on the website https://gis.data.ca.gov too see if your property is located in a Fire Risk Zone
Why is home hardening important?
In the US, at least $2 billion per year supporting fire suppression. While the efforts of firefighters have been both brave and tireless, the conditions on our landscapes, joined with the vast proliferation of homes and communities into wildfire hazard zones, make turning the tide through fire suppression increasingly untenable.
Today there are nearly 45 million homes in the wildland/urban interface (WUI). Each year some of the largest-loss fires occur in the WUI. Structure loss due to wildfire has increased more than 163 percent over the past decade. The nation’s area at risk to wildfire is now the size of Texas. Improving the fire resistance of structures is crucial to prevent the loss of properties and lives.
Are BrandGuard Vents patented?
YES, BrandGuard vents are patented. The expiration date for the patent is Oct. 2039
Are fire rated vents required by the building code?
YES. See Chapter 7a of the California building code.
Still have questions?
Talk to our experts for no-obligation advice and support.