Wildfire Prepared Multifamily Technical Standard
Version December 2025 – Effective June 1, 2026
The Wildfire Prepared Multifamily™ Technical Standard defines the science-based requirements used to evaluate whether a multifamily property qualifies for designation. Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the standard provides detailed specifications to reduce vulnerabilities that can lead to building ignition during a wildfire.
*Program resources are being created to align with this release.
2025 Other Resources
What are Technical Bulletins
Wildfire Prepared Multifamily Technical Bulletins provide supplemental guidance that must be used in conjunction with the Technical Standard. They offer additional technical clarification supporting specific requirements until they are incorporated into a future version of the standard.
Who Uses the Technical Standard
The Technical Standard is primarily used by:
- Multifamily property owners and managers
- Builders and contractors
- Wildfire mitigation professionals
- Architects and landscape architects
- Community planners and developers
- Building officials
- Local fire jurisdictions
Systems-Based Wildfire Mitigation
The Wildfire Prepared Multifamily program follows a systems-based approach to wildfire resilience.
Wildfires ignite buildings through embers, flames, and radiant heat, often exploiting the weakest link in a structure or surrounding area. For this reason, all required actions for a selected designation level must be completed to earn and maintain designation.
Properties that meet these requirements receive a Wildfire Prepared Multifamily 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:
Essential Level
Focuses on protection from wind-blown embers, the leading cause of building ignitions during wildfires.
Most existing multifamily properties begin with the Essential designation.
Enhanced Level
Builds on the Essential level by adding protections against direct flame contact and radiant heat exposure.
Often achieved during new construction or major exterior renovations, when materials and assemblies are being selected or replaced.
Getting Started: Multifamily Checklist
Most property owners and managers will find it helpful to begin with the Wildfire Prepared Multifamily: How-To Prepare Checklist, which translates the Technical Standard into a practical mitigation guide.
The checklist explains:
- What mitigation actions are required
- How to prepare a property before applying
- Whether Base or Plus is the appropriate starting point
Download the How-To Checklist
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