# Steel Framing for Wildfire Rebuilds: What It Does and Doesn't Do

> Steel studs are noncombustible: they don't burn or add fuel. But embers are a common ignition source in wildfires, and radiant heat breaks windows and ignites siding. Steel framing is one layer. Survival depends on the whole envelope: roof, vents, windows, siding, eaves and the 5-foot zone around the house.

Source page: https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/steel-framing-wildfire-rebuild
Publisher: APB Inc. (CSLB #951030)
Last updated: 2026-10-20

Many people rebuilding after the Eaton and Palisades fires ask whether they should use steel framing. It is a reasonable question, and the honest answer has two parts: steel helps in specific ways, and it does not replace the rest of a wildfire-resistant design.

## How do homes ignite in a wildfire?

Wildfire reaches a house in three ways:

- **Embers.** Wind carries burning debris ahead of the fire. Embers land on roofs, in gutters, in vents and in mulch or plants next to the house. A Headwaters Economics and IBHS analysis describes direct and indirect ember ignition as the most common cause of home ignitions.
- **Radiant heat.** A burning house, shed, fence or hedge nearby can heat siding until it ignites and can break window glass. A UC Agriculture and Natural Resources fire expert described heat from nearby burning buildings and landscaping breaking panes and deforming vinyl window frames in the 2025 Los Angeles fires.
- **Direct flame contact.** Flames from burning vegetation, decks or materials stored against the house touch the walls or eaves.

In dense neighborhoods, houses can ignite one another. The same UC ANR article notes that a house, garage or shed burning within about 25 feet of another can ignite its siding and break its windows.

### What survived in the Palisades and Eaton fires?

IBHS field work after the 2025 LA fires, covering more than 250 properties, found that homes with four hardening features (a Class A roof, noncombustible siding, dual-pane windows and enclosed eaves) had a 54% likelihood of avoiding damage, versus 36% for homes with only one. It also found that more than 25% fuel coverage in the first five feet around the house raised the risk of damage or destruction to nearly 90%. These are correlations from a survey, not controlled tests, and IBHS reports that noncombustible materials performed as intended when spacing and surrounding fuels allowed it. We found no study of the 2025 fires that compares steel-framed and wood-framed homes, so we don't claim that steel homes survived.

## What does steel framing do in a wildfire?

Steel studs are noncombustible: they don't burn or add fuel. Fire ratings come from the full wall assembly, and wildfire survival also depends on the roof, vents, windows, siding and the 5-foot zone.

In practical terms, steel framing:

- **Removes the framing as a fuel source.** The studs, joists and rafters inside the walls and roof will not burn.
- **Doesn't degrade the way wood can.** No cellulose: termites can't eat it and it won't rot.

## What doesn't steel framing do?

- **It does not make the house immune to fire.** Lab tests published in 2026 found cold-formed steel can lose up to about 70% of its strength at 600°C (about 1,100°F). Fire-resistance ratings come from the assembly, such as gypsum board and sheathing, not from the studs alone.
- **It does not stop embers.** Embers enter through vents, gaps and broken windows, and they ignite whatever combustible material they reach.
- **It does not protect windows.** Glass breaks from radiant heat regardless of what frames the wall.
- **It does not make combustible siding safe.** Under California's wildfire construction rules, compliance is judged on the exterior wall covering or assembly. Steel studs behind combustible siding do not make that siding compliant.

## The envelope: where most of the protection is

### Roof

The roof is the largest surface embers land on. A Class A roof assembly, metal flashing, noncombustible gutters and a way to keep debris out of gutters all reduce ember ignition.

### Vents

Attic, eave and foundation vents are direct paths for embers into the house. Listed flame- and ember-resistant vents, or vents covered with fine noncombustible mesh, address this.

### Windows

LA County's 2026 construction notes for fire hazard zones accept multipane glazing with at least one tempered pane, among other options. For the IBHS Enhanced level, the Headwaters and IBHS cost analysis priced dual-pane windows with both panes tempered in metal-clad frames, for more resistance to radiant heat.

### Siding and the base of the wall (stucco, fiber cement and other cladding)

Noncombustible or ignition-resistant siding resists flame contact. LA County's 2026 construction notes also require at least 6 inches of metal flashing or noncombustible material at the base of the wall where it meets the ground, decks and roofs. Ask your plan checker how a specific cladding, such as stucco or fiber cement, is classified for your project.

### Eaves

Open eaves can trap heat and collect embers in gaps between rafters. Enclosed eaves with noncombustible or ignition-resistant soffits and ember-resistant vents reduce that risk.

### The 5-foot zone

The first five feet around the house is often called Zone 0. Mulch, plants, wood fences and stored items here can carry fire directly to the walls. Gravel or hardscape and metal fence sections near the house remove that path.

## What each layer protects against

| Layer | Main exposure it addresses | What it means for a rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Steel framing | Fuel inside the structure | Studs and joists don't burn or add fuel; ratings still depend on the assembly |
| Gypsum and sheathing assembly | Flame and heat reaching the framing | Provides the fire-resistance rating of the wall |
| Class A roof and noncombustible gutters | Embers landing on the roof | Reduces ember ignition from above |
| Ember-resistant vents | Embers entering the attic or crawlspace | Keeps the house from igniting from the inside |
| Tempered, multipane windows | Radiant heat breaking glass | Keeps flames and embers out of the interior |
| Noncombustible siding and 6-inch wall base | Flame contact and embers at the wall | Keeps the exterior covering from igniting |
| Enclosed eaves | Heat trapping and ember buildup under the roof edge | Removes a common entry point into the roof structure |
| Clear 5-foot zone | Embers igniting fuel next to the house | Keeps flames from reaching the walls |
| Space from neighbors and outbuildings | Radiant heat from nearby burning structures | Reduces house-to-house spread |

## Standards and programs that rate these layers

### IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety now calls its levels **Essential** (formerly Base), which focuses on wind-driven embers, and **Enhanced** (formerly Plus), which adds protection against radiant heat and direct flame. The updated 2025 technical standard took effect June 1, 2026. Neither level requires steel framing.

### California's WUI Code

Since January 1, 2026, California's wildfire construction rules are in a standalone Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7). Noncombustible exterior walls are one of several compliance paths; ignition-resistant materials and tested assemblies are others. Eaton and Palisades rebuilds may use the 2022 code instead under Executive Order N-29-25. See [California's New WUI Code](/learn/california-wui-code-2026).

### Zone 0 status

California's Zone 0 rules (required by AB 3074) are not in effect as of October 2026. The Board of Forestry adopted emergency rules on August 19, 2026 and submitted them to the Office of Administrative Law on August 28. It withdrew them from review in early September; the withdrawal was described as procedural, and no resubmission date has been announced. Keeping the first five feet clear is still recommended by fire researchers.

## How to choose fire-resistant home builders in Los Angeles

"Fire-resistant" is a description of a design, not a builder's title, so judge builders on how they approach the whole house:

1. **Check the license.** Look up the contractor on the [CSLB license search](https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx) and confirm the classification and status.
2. **Ask which code edition applies to your lot** and how they handle Part 7, or Chapter 7A and R337 for a 2022-code rebuild.
3. **Ask about the envelope, not just the frame.** Roof, vents, eaves, windows, siding and the 5-foot zone should all come up.
4. **For steel framing, ask for engineering.** Every steel frame should come with stamped drawings and calculations and an energy design with continuous insulation.
5. **Be wary of absolute claims.** No material makes a house immune to fire.

## Where steel framing fits in a rebuild

Steel framing makes sense as part of a layered design, not as a substitute for one. Start by [checking your address](/check) for fire hazard zone, fire perimeter and climate zone. If you already have wood plans, our [wood-to-steel plan conversion](/plan-conversion) service covers the engineering, the plan-check revision and the framing, and our [steel fire rebuild service](/services/fire-rebuild) explains how we work on Eaton and Palisades projects.

For local rules, see our rebuild guides for [Altadena](/rebuild/altadena) and [Pacific Palisades](/rebuild/pacific-palisades). To talk through your project, [contact APB Inc.](/contact)

## Why homeowners choose steel framing with APB

For a fire rebuild, we pair a noncombustible steel structure with the layers that actually stop embers and radiant heat, and we coordinate the envelope specification with your architect so the framing is not the only thing doing the work. See [why steel framing pays off in California](/why-steel), learn how [wood-to-steel plan conversion](/plan-conversion) works, or [contact us](/contact).

## Common questions

### Does steel framing make a house safe from wildfire on its own?

No. Steel studs are noncombustible, but steel loses strength at high temperatures and relies on the wall assembly, such as gypsum board, for fire ratings. Wildfire survival also depends on the roof, vents, windows, siding and the 5-foot zone.

### Does steel framing stop embers?

No. Embers enter through vents, gaps and broken windows, and ignite combustible material on or near the house. Ember defense comes from vents, the roof, eaves, windows and a clear 5-foot zone, not from the framing.

### Do IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standards require steel framing?

No. The IBHS standards focus on the roof, vents, eaves, windows, siding, decks and the area around the home. A wood-framed or steel-framed house can meet them.

### Are Zone 0 rules in effect in California?

Not as of October 2026. The Board of Forestry adopted emergency Zone 0 rules on August 19, 2026, but withdrew them from Office of Administrative Law review in early September. Keeping the first five feet clear is still recommended by fire researchers.

### How do I choose a fire-resistant home builder in Los Angeles?

Check the contractor's license on the CSLB website, ask how they handle California's wildfire construction rules for your lot, and ask to see stamped drawings and energy documents from their process. A good builder talks about the whole envelope, not just one material.

## Sources

- [Headwaters Economics and IBHS: Wildfire-resistant home construction analysis (Dec 2025)](https://headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025HE-IBHS-Wildfire-Home-Analysis-Tech-Report-Dec-2025.pdf)
- [Wildfire Task Force: New findings show home hardening and Zone Zero mitigation were key in the 2025 LA fires](https://wildfiretaskforce.org/new-findings-show-home-hardening-and-zone-zero-mitigation-were-key-to-protecting-homes-in-the-2025-los-angeles-fires/)
- [UC ANR: Fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes](https://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/uc-anr-fire-expert-highlights-materials-components-and-actions-saved-homes)
- [IBHS: Wildfire Prepared program updates (Essential and Enhanced levels)](https://ibhs.org/ibhs-news-releases/ibhs-rounds-out-wildfire-prepared-program-with-neighborhood-and-multifamily-standards-updates-home-requirements/)
- [IBHS: Wildfire Prepared Home technical standard (2025 update, effective June 1, 2026)](https://wildfireprepared.org/home-technical-standard/)
- [City of San Diego: 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code change report](https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/2025-cwuic_code-change-report.pdf)
- [LA County Building and Safety: Fire Hazard Severity Zone construction notes (2026 code)](https://dpw.lacounty.gov/bsd/lib/fp/Building/Very%20High%20Fire%20Hazard%20Severity%20Zone/2026%20Code%20Version/Fire%20Hazard%20Notes%202026.pdf)
- [WildfireLA: Zone 0 regulations withdrawn from OAL review (Sept. 11, 2026)](https://www.wildfirela.org/2026/09/11/zone-0-regulations-withdrawn-from-oal-review-what-happens-next/)
- [Best Best & Krieger: Board of Forestry adopts emergency Zone 0 regulations under AB 3074](https://bbklaw.com/resources/la090926-california-board-of-forestry-adopts-emergency-zone-0-regulations-under-ab-3074)
- [Ozkal et al.: Cold-formed steel under fire: Dual testing and empirical strength modeling (Engineering Structure and Civil Engineering 20(4), 2026)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-026-1299-3)
- [CSLB: Check a License](https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx)
- [IBHS: Findings on LA County's Palisades and Eaton fires (Dec. 10, 2025)](https://ibhs.org/ibhs-news-releases/ibhs-findings-on-la-countys-palisades-and-eaton-fires/)