Metal Mesh Can Help Reduce Wildfire Risk to Your Business

With wildfire season in full swing, businesses all along the West Coast and throughout the Northwest are preparing their commercial spaces accordingly. Wire mesh products are among the best materials for safeguarding not only your structure but also the surrounding areas from destructive flames. Here's what you should know.

4 Ways to Protect Your Commercial Building with Wire Mesh Materials

The objective of a wildfire protection plan is to prevent the blaze from moving dangerously close to a structure. Once commercial buildings and warehouses are ignited, wind gusts can stoke the flames.

As a result, the structure may become a fire source itself, ultimately threatening to burn neighboring properties. Research has shown buildings spaced less than 15 feet apart, as well as those that share a roof, are especially vulnerable to igniting each other.

So, what can you do to protect your building this wildfire season? Wire mesh panels and sheets can be used to create vent covers, eave enclosures, foundation vent screens, and gutter guards. Find tips and insight below.

Wire Mesh Attic Vent Covers

Without proper protection, attic vents act as an entry point for wind-driven embers. These embers are the biggest threat to your property—once they reach a dry, combustible material, the fire is sure to spread quickly. Your best bet is to cover them with metal mesh, preferably the finest weave allowed by your commercial building code.

Metal Mesh Eave Enclosures

Since eaves are prone to trapping heat, it's important they're closed off, especially during wildfire season. Wire mesh sheets make excellent eave enclosures on commercial structures. Opt for a corrosion-resistant material, such as galvanized stainless steel hardware cloth, with weave openings of 0.25 inches or smaller.

Foundation Vent Screens

Building foundations and below-ground crawlspaces are also prone to overheating, making them vulnerable to fires. Temperature regulation and adequate airflow are critical, which is why many business owners cover their foundation vents with metal mesh.

Before installing wire mesh, make sure your ducts are free of debris. (It may be a good idea to hire an HVAC company to clean them out.) In the event sparks enter the vents, this will help prevent them from catching on fire inside your ducts.

Wire Mesh Gutter Guards

Gutter guards do more than prevent the overflow of water. During the drier season, they help keep flammable materials, such as sticks, leaves, and brush, away from your roof.

Commercial buildings typically have metal, silicone, or thermoplastic roofs, which aren't as flammable as residential shingles. However, if embers and sparks do make it up there, they'll likely reach any dry debris in your gutters. Luckily, welded and galvanized wire mesh offer an easy solution to covering them.

Bonus Tip: Trim Vegetation

In addition to using wire mesh materials to cover your gutters, vents, and eaves, you're wise to trim all vegetation surrounding your commercial structure. Consider any plant, tree, or shrub a potential wildfire risk, and don't be afraid to cut those closest to your building.

Industrial-Grade Wire Mesh for Commercial Use

TWP Inc. has been one of the world's leading wire mesh suppliers for over five decades. Our woman-owned company is proud to serve businesses all over the globe, including those affected by wildfires.

The industrial-grade wire mesh and hardware cloth we carry is suitable for a broad range of fire safety applications. TWP Inc.'s impressive selection includes materials ideal for containment and prevention, including copper and stainless steel.

Our wire mesh company has lots of prefabricated materials in varying sizes, widths, and weaves. We can also accommodate custom sizes, shapes, and quantities. TWP Inc. is proud to offer in-house cleaning, measuring, laser cutting, slitting, and disc stamping. Order your wire mesh or request a free quote today!

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