The Construction Specifier’s feature, “Building for Better Resilience in WUI Zones,” was awarded article of the year in October at the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Written by Rick Roos, the article delves into the ongoing growth of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones, a phenomenon driven by the constant increase in population and urban sprawl. Leveraging his expertise in fire safety, hygrothermal building performance, and acoustic control, Roos provides a comprehensive perspective on the development of codes and standards. Within this piece, he elaborates on how this expansion leads to significant housing development encroaching upon areas where fires can easily spread from forests and grasslands to residential neighborhoods. Building codes often feature relatively rudimentary fire protection regulations, focusing on essential prerequisites that homes must meet, including permissible materials, acceptable construction methods, and the minimum ASTM material criteria. Consequently, it becomes crucial for the project team to adopt a holistic approach to planning and design, with a specific emphasis on reducing fire risks and bolstering fire resilience.
The award is presented to the author or authors of an original article published in The Construction Specifier during the 2023 fiscal year. Individual articles are nominated by the magazine’s editorial staff and judged by its editorial advisory board.
