According to 2024 data, approximately 52,477 wildfires burned over 8.4 million acres of land in wildlife-urban interface (WUI) zones. In a nutshell, WUI zones can be described as rural, suburban or urban areas where human development meets with combustible wildland vegetation. These at-risk areas are highly vulnerable to wildfires.

To safeguard life and property and help prevent the spread of wildfires, many governing agencies have adopted WUI codes (the two everyone should know about are the IWUIC and NFPA 1144). These require that any structure attached to a home in a WUI zone be built with ignition-resistant building materials. But for some contractors, many of whom are accustomed to working with wood, complying with this standard can be intimidating.

Enter steel. A noncombustible building material, steel is a proven solution for outdoor projects that require fire-safe construction and compliance with WUI codes. Keep reading for different ways to use WUI-approved steel building products from the deck to the property line.

Steel deck framing offers a code-compliant foundation for outdoor spaces

When it comes to the deck structure, one of two ways to achieve compliance with WUI codes is to prioritize a one-hour fire-resistant-rated assembly (includes the surface material and deck frame). While fire-retardant treated (FRT) wood is technically a WUI-approved building material—there is a catch. FRT wood (which the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences warns against using), can still act as a bridge for flames to spread directly to the home if not treated regularly during maintenance. Plus, FRT wood is hard to source, more expensive and difficult to work with because of the poor quality of today’s lumber. The required fire treatments will also weaken the wood; the deck frame components can become brittle over time and have an altered load-bearing capacity.

Completely sidelining each of the concerns associated with FRT wood, steel is a noncombustible, low-maintenance and longer-lasting deck framing material that meets WUI building codes. Underscoring its safety factor, the Evolution steel deck framing system from Fortress Building Products received a Class A fire-resistant rating after completing the ASTM E84-21a, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. Evolution’s steel components also score safety points with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, who recommends using noncombustible steel joists in deck assemblies to reduce the vulnerability of a home and any surrounding structures. A smarter solution, steel deck framing checks all the boxes to help contractors achieve WUI code compliance.

Level up with WUI-approved pergolas made from steel

Pergolas, another sought-after backyard feature, make it easy to transform a deck into an outdoor living “room” that brings the comforts of indoors, well, outdoors. But traditional wood pergolas pose an obvious combustion risk, especially in wildfire-prone zones. An ignition-resistant option, Fortress Building Products offers WUI-approved pergolas made from steel to provide lasting performance and style. Choose from an easy-to-assemble Pergola Kit to accommodate a standard backyard layout or get creative with an Evolution Steel Pergola for a custom build.

Leaving no room for error with WUI-approved railing

With steel railing, contractors can extend the benefits of the fire-safe building material to the edge of the deck. And luckily, there are plenty of versatile steel railing options out there to choose from, so there’s no need to sacrifice the homeowner’s design vision for safety. For example, Fe²⁶ steel railing from Fortress is a panelized system that features multiple infill options to create a custom look, ranging from vertical and horizontal steel cables to glass balusters that open up the view beyond the railing.

WUI-approved steel fencing to establish a defensible and fire-safe perimeter

Safely enclose a WUI-compliant yard with a steel fence. After all, creating a defensible outdoor living space with an ignition-resistant perimeter solution is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire vulnerability for homes and neighboring properties. And if the yard is sloped or features uneven ground, consider a rackable steel fence from Fortress. Unlike a step design (which can be unsightly), a rackable design allows the steel fence to accommodate a property’s grade changes while maintaining an even bottom and top rail. Going this route also reduces the amount of planning and labor typically involved in installations on sloping or uneven terrain.

No matter where your next project is located—Fortress Building Products can help you rise to the challenge and deliver a WUI code-compliant outdoor living space. Track down the fire-safe outdoor building products that you need to get the job done HERE.