Wildfire Resistance: Window Strategies for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Design with Cascadia

We’re excited to welcome Cascadia for a Component Spotlight event on Window Strategies for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Design.

As wildfires grow in frequency and severity across North America, building professionals are under increasing pressure to design structures that can withstand these extreme events—especially in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones. Windows are among the most vulnerable elements of the building envelope during a wildfire, often acting as entry points for heat, flame, and embers.

This Component Spotlight event dives into practical strategies to improve window wildfire resistance in fire-prone environments. We will explore key performance considerations for window assemblies, including fire exposure mechanisms, material behavior, and construction details that affect survival in WUI conditions.

We’ll also take an in-depth look at California’s State Fire Marshal (SFM) Standard Test Method 12-7A-2 and examine emerging Canadian guidance from the National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires and FireSmart Canada. By combining concept review, test data, and real-world design strategies, this session will equip architects, engineers, and builders with the tools to select and specify window systems that help prevent structure ignition while maintaining compliance and performance.

Participants will:

-Understand how radiant heat, flame contact, and windborne embers impact window performance in WUI zones.

-Explore how guidance from the National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires and FireSmart Canada informs fire-resistant window selection in Canadian jurisdictions.

-Gain familiarity with test methodologies for evaluating flame exposure resistance and performance metrics for exterior window units.

-Compare frame materials, glass types, and protective systems to assess their effectiveness under fire exposure. -Learn how to specify and detail windows as part of a wildfire-resistant building envelope while balancing code compliance and thermal performance.

WARNING: Things will get geeky.