06/16/2026
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildfire Division Director Michele Steinberg recently attended a live burn experiment at the @ Institute for Business & Home Safety - IBHS - Research Center in South Carolina.
As part of a series of experiments measuring wind-driven building-to-building fire spread, IBHS placed an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) only 20 feet from the test building, a full-scale, two-story house, and ignited it under variable wind speeds of 35-55 mph.
The house, built to the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Enhanced standard, did not ignite in spite of being very close to the large flames, radiant heat, and wind-driven embers from the burning ADU.
Learn more about the steps homeowners can take to help prepare their homes for wildfire: https://nfpa.social/3NSy2Z6