Wildfire Prepared Home™ Technical Standard
The Wildfire Prepared Home™ Technical Standard defines the science-based requirements used to evaluate whether a property qualifies for a Wildfire Prepared Home designation. Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the standard provides detailed specifications designed to reduce vulnerabilities that lead to home ignitions during a wildfire event.
2025 Technical Standard Update- Effective June 1, 2026
This version of the Technical Standard is approved for current Wildfire Prepared Home designations. Program resources are being updated to align with this release.
2025 Technical Standard & Resources
What are Technical Bulletins
Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Bulletins provide supplemental guidance that must be used in conjunction with the Technical Standard. They provide additional technical clarification supporting requirements in the Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Standard, until they can be included into the next iteration of the standard.
Who Uses the Technical Standard
The Technical Standard is primarily used by:
- Builders and contractors
- Wildfire mitigation professionals
- Technically minded homeowners seeking detailed requirements
- Community planners
- Building officials
- Local fire jurisdictions
- Architects and landscape architects
Systems-Based Wildfire Mitigation
The Wildfire Prepared Home program follows a systems-based approach to wildfire resilience.
Wildfires ignite homes through embers, flames, and radiant heat, which often exploit the weakest link around a structure. For this reason, all required actions for a selected designation level must be completed to earn and maintain a designation.
Homes that meet these requirements receive a Wildfire Prepared Home designation certificate, verifying compliance with IBHS wildfire mitigation standards.
Designation Levels
The program includes two designation levels, designed to address different starting points for mitigation.
Base Level
Focuses on protection from wind-blown embers, the leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires.
Most existing homes begin with the Base designation.
Plus Level
Builds on the Base level by adding protections against direct flame contact and radiant heat exposure.
Often achieved during new construction or major exterior renovations, when building materials are being selected or replaced.
Compare the Requirements for these levels: Base vs. Plus
Homeowners: Start with the Checklist
Most homeowners will find it easier to begin with the How-To Prepare My Home Checklist, which translates the Technical Standard requirements into a practical preparation guide.
The checklist explains:
- What mitigation actions are required
- How to prepare a property before applying
- Whether Base or Plus is the right starting point
Stay In The Know
Want to keep up with the latest news from Wildfire Prepared Home? Sign up for updates today.