ADVANCED FIRE PROTECTION
Fire Rated Vents
TENMAT’s BRANDGUARD VENTS offer a complete range of fire rated vents designed for use in very high wildfire and bushfire threat zones. From fire rated soffit vents and bird block vents to foundation, gable, and dormer options, every product is built to resist flame, ember, and radiant heat intrusion.
BRANDGUARD VENTS are easy to install, retrofit, and paint, and are available in custom colors, materials, and sizes to suit any home or project.
Soffit and Undereave Vents
BRANDGUARD VENTS' fire rated soffit vents are tested for high severity fire hazard zones (SHFHZs), stopping embers, flames, and radiant heat from reaching wildfire-prone attics. Tested to California High Fire Hazard Severity Zone standards, they maintain essential ventilation for moisture control and energy efficiency.
Foundation Vents
BRANDGUARD VENTS' Foundation Vents allow outside air to circulate under the floor to prevent moisture buildup, while blocking flames, embers, and radiant heat from entering the crawl space during a wildfire. Designed and tested for use in high fire hazard severity zones, they are available for new construction and retrofit.
Fire Plugs
BRANDGUARD VENTS' round, baffle-front bird block vents resist flame and ember intrusion at the under-eave openings, one of the most vulnerable ember entry points in a wildfire. They block flying embers and radiant heat while maintaining airflow, and suit new construction or retrofit, with easy install and paint-to-match finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Bird Block Vents?
A fire rated vent is independently tested to resist flame, ember, and radiant heat intrusion under standardized wildfire conditions. BRANDGUARD VENTS products meet California High Fire Hazard Severity Zone listing requirements and comply with CAL FIRE and WUI building code standards, providing verified protection rather than assumed resistance.
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Bird block vents cover the open holes at the under-eave line of a wood-frame home. These are typically left open or fitted with standard mesh vents that offer no resistance to wildfire ember intrusion.
During a wildfire, burning embers travel up to a mile ahead of the fire front and are one of the leading causes of home ignition. Open bird block holes give embers a direct, unobstructed path to interior framing, insulation, and other combustible materials. Even where the fire itself does not reach a property, ember entry through these openings can ignite an interior fire that destroys the structure.
BRANDGUARD VENTS’ bird block vents are round, baffle-front vents purpose-built to eliminate this vulnerability. The baffle physically blocks direct flame and ember entry, while intumescent material seals any remaining gaps under heat exposure. Products are listed for use in California High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and comply with CAL FIRE ember resistance standards.
Installation suits both new construction and retrofit. The vents are paintable and available in multiple materials to match any exterior.
For contractors and builders working in WUI zones, specifying bird block vents at the design stage avoids costly post-inspection retrofit work and helps projects pass code under California Building Code Section 707A. See the Tenmat USA builders and contractors page or submit a quote request.
What Makes a Vent Fire Rated?
A fire rated vent is independently tested to resist flame, ember, and radiant heat intrusion under standardized wildfire conditions. BRANDGUARD VENTS products meet California High Fire Hazard Severity Zone listing requirements and comply with CAL FIRE and WUI building code standards, providing verified protection rather than assumed resistance.
Read More
Bird block vents cover the open holes at the under-eave line of a wood-frame home. These are typically left open or fitted with standard mesh vents that offer no resistance to wildfire ember intrusion.
During a wildfire, burning embers travel up to a mile ahead of the fire front and are one of the leading causes of home ignition. Open bird block holes give embers a direct, unobstructed path to interior framing, insulation, and other combustible materials. Even where the fire itself does not reach a property, ember entry through these openings can ignite an interior fire that destroys the structure.
BRANDGUARD VENTS’ bird block vents are round, baffle-front vents purpose-built to eliminate this vulnerability. The baffle physically blocks direct flame and ember entry, while intumescent material seals any remaining gaps under heat exposure. Products are listed for use in California High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and comply with CAL FIRE ember resistance standards.
Installation suits both new construction and retrofit. The vents are paintable and available in multiple materials to match any exterior.
For contractors and builders working in WUI zones, specifying bird block vents at the design stage avoids costly post-inspection retrofit work and helps projects pass code under California Building Code Section 707A. See the Tenmat USA builders and contractors page or submit a quote request.
Are Fire Rated Soffit Vents Required by Code?
A fire rated vent is independently tested to resist flame, ember, and radiant heat intrusion under standardized wildfire conditions. BRANDGUARD VENTS products meet California High Fire Hazard Severity Zone listing requirements and comply with CAL FIRE and WUI building code standards, providing verified protection rather than assumed resistance.
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The term “fire rated” applied to a vent means the product has been independently tested and listed to demonstrate measurable resistance to wildfire threats — specifically flame contact, ember intrusion, and radiant heat — under controlled test conditions that replicate real wildfire scenarios.
Not all vents marketed for fire hazard zones carry independent listings. Products described as fire resistant or ember resistant without third-party test evidence offer no assurance of performance in an actual event.
BRANDGUARD VENTS products are tested and listed for use in California High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (HFHSZs) in compliance with CAL FIRE standards. This listing is a prerequisite for use in California jurisdictions requiring code-compliant ember-resistant venting under California Building Code Section 707A and related WUI building code provisions.
Architects and specifiers should request test documentation and listing evidence before including any vent product in a wildfire-compliant specification. For guidance on specifying fire rated vents, see the Tenmat USA architects and specifiers page or contact the team.
Which Vent Types Are Available?
In designated High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across California and other western states, soffit vents fire rated to state listing requirements are required under building codes. California Building Code Section 707A mandates ember-resistant venting in WUI areas. Homeowners and contractors should verify requirements with their local Authority Having Jurisdiction.
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California Building Code Section 707A requires that new construction and qualifying replacement work in State Responsibility Areas and locally designated High Fire Hazard Severity Zones use building materials and construction methods that meet wildfire exposure requirements. This includes ember-resistant venting for soffit, under-eave, and other exterior vent openings.
The requirement reflects evidence that unprotected vents are a primary ignition pathway during wildfires. Local jurisdictions in California, Oregon, Colorado, and other fire-affected western states have adopted equivalent or more stringent requirements under their local WUI codes.
For homeowners undertaking re-roofing, siding replacement, or other qualifying renovations in a HFHSZ, replacement vents may also need to meet fire rating requirements depending on the scope of work and local rules. The relevant Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) determines what triggers the requirement on a case-by-case basis.
Inspectors and code enforcement officials can find compliance documentation for BRANDGUARD VENTS products through the Tenmat USA inspectors and code enforcement page. Contractors confirming code compliance before specifying should also see the builders and contractors page.
- Superior Performance
Tenmat products are manufactured to the highest quality standards and fire tested to meet and exceed building code requirements in the US and Canada.
- Quick Delivery
Fast and reliable delivery to anywhere in the US & Canada. Our fire protection products and materials are usually in stock and ready for immediate shipping within 24 hours.
- Installation Efficiences
TENMAT fire rated light covers and firestopping products are ready-to-use solutions which do NOT require any assembly, making installation quick and easy.
