PHN Presents: Passive House & Resilient Design in the Face of Fire

Fire has always been a normal part of the west but with climate change and ever-expanding built environments our homes and cities are increasingly vulnerable. Firewise design strategies have been based on years of research on wildlands urban interface and home design with promising results. With the advent of Passive House design strategies the multiplier of energy effect practices have translated well beyond just energy savings and comfort but as an organizing factor of resiliency from fire, smoke, power outages, and extreme weather events.

This presentation will go into fire resilient design strategies in building design and how those efforts fit very closely with the physics-based passive house design. Coupled with fire resilient materials and landscape appropriate approach, Passive House is a primary fire adaptive strategy for any community at risk.

CEUs

AIA 1 LU|HSW | PHI 1 CP  (in progress)

Learning Objectives

1. Describe how building form factor plays a role in fire resilience.
2. Outline how airtightness and dedicated ventilation protects from smoke damages.
3. Describe how energy efficiency increases habitability during power outages.
4. Outline how high-performance window design is key to resilient strategy.