Deck

What it is.

Any attached deck, porch, or raised walkway, counted as two things at once. The walking surface and railing above, and the open volume beneath it where the framing, the ground, and whatever has blown in all sit together.

Why it matters.

The space under a deck is sheltered, so debris that lands there stays dry when everything else is damp. It is also open on the sides, so wind pushes embers into it. A fire starting under a deck sits directly beneath a combustible surface and directly against the wall of the house, in a spot nobody can see or reach quickly.

What good looks like.

A deck surface that resists ignition, the space underneath kept clear of leaves, needles, and stored material, and no firewood, bins, or garden equipment tucked beneath it.

How it is judged.

SFM 12-7A-4 is the only SFM standard combining a flame test with a burning-ember exposure at 12 mile per hour wind for forty minutes, which is why it is the test used for decking. California insurers are required to credit clearing the area beneath the deck under 2644.9(d)(1)(B)1.a.

What we will ask you.

"Look underneath your deck. Is there anything stored there, and has debris built up on the ground?"

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