If you are specifying fencing for a strata project, new build, development, or property in a wildfire-prone area of BC, someone may ask whether the fence meets FireSmart BC guidelines. In some parts of British Columbia, wildfire planning is becoming a bigger part of new fencing decisions, especially for homes, stratas, and developments near forested areas, greenbelts, dry landscapes, or higher-risk wildfire zones.
With wildfires continuing to affect communities across BC, builders, property managers, strata councils, homeowners, and contractors are looking more closely at the materials they use around a property. Fencing is part of that conversation because it often runs along property lines, connects outdoor spaces, and may lead directly toward a home, garage, shed, or other structure.
So, is NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing FireSmart BC approved?
FireSmart BC has some guidance; let’s have a look at the guidance they give and how our vinyl fencing proves to be a good choice for privacy fencing.
- Use fire-resistant materials where possibleYes. NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing offers a fire-resistant alternative to wood fencing, with an ASTM E84 flame-spread index of under 25. Although it does not qualify as non-combustible, surface burning tests produced a low flame-spread result.
- Maintain a 1.5 m non-combustible zone near the home
Yes. FireSmart BC recommends a 1.5 m non-combustible zone near the home. Installers can add spacing or a non-combustible break to a NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fence where required.
- Keep the fence line clear of dry grass, leaves, mulch, and debris
Yes. Property owners should keep the fence line clean as part of regular maintenance.
- Use non-combustible materials when required
No. Vinyl is fire-resistant, but testing standards do not classify it as 100% non-combustible.
What FireSmart BC Says About Fencing
FireSmart BC focuses on reducing wildfire risk around the home and property. This includes the building itself, decks, landscaping, vegetation, sheds, outdoor storage, and fencing.
When it comes to fencing, FireSmart best practices mainly focus on combustible materials close to the home. Wood fencing can dry out over time and may act as a fuel source if it connects directly to a structure. Because of this, FireSmart guidance often recommends avoiding combustible fencing directly beside the home or creating a non-combustible break where a fence meets the building.
This may include using a metal gate, a non-combustible fence panel, or a clear separation near the home. These measures help reduce the chance of fire moving directly from the fence to the structure.
This does not always mean property owners must use metal, concrete, stone, or masonry for every fence on the property. It means they should plan the fence design carefully, especially where it connects to the home or other buildings.
Is Vinyl Fencing Non-Combustible?
No. You should not describe vinyl fencing as non-combustible unless testing confirms that the specific product meets a recognized non-combustibility standard.
When FireSmart refers to non-combustible fencing, they are generally talking about materials such as metal, aluminum, steel, chain link, concrete, masonry, stone, or cement fibre. These materials can work well in certain areas, especially when a property needs a non-combustible break close to the home.
However, for a full privacy fence, those materials are not always the most practical or preferred choice for every property. Metal and chain link do not offer the same full privacy as a solid fence. Concrete, masonry, and stone can provide privacy, but they are often more expensive, heavier, and more involved to install.
That is where NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing becomes a strong option. It gives homeowners the privacy and low-maintenance benefits they want, while offering better fire-resistant performance than traditional wood fencing.
NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is not classified as non-combustible, and standard vinyl fencing as a category should not be assumed to be non-combustible either. The correct way to describe NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is fire-resistant.
NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is a fire-resistant alternative to wood fencing, with an ASTM E84 flame spread classification of 25. It is not classified as non-combustible, but it has been tested for surface burning characteristics and achieved a low flame-spread result.
Why Flame Spread Matters
Flame spread testing helps show how quickly flame travels across the surface of a material. This matters because fencing can be part of the exterior environment around a property, especially when it is located close to a home or other structure.
An ASTM E84 flame spread classification of 25 is a low flame-spread result. For homeowners, contractors, and specifiers, this gives confidence that NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is not just being described as fire-resistant as a marketing claim. It has been tested for surface burning characteristics.
This is important when comparing fence materials. A fence may seem like a simple exterior product, but the material choice can affect long-term maintenance, performance, and wildfire planning.
If a project strictly requires non-combustible fencing, then metal, concrete, stone, masonry, or cement fibre may be required. But if the project allows fire-resistant fencing and FireSmart best practices can be followed through proper layout and installation, NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is a strong option to consider.
A Better Alternative to Wood Fencing
Many BC properties still have aging cedar or pressure-treated wood fencing. While wood has been used for decades, it requires regular maintenance. It may need staining, painting, repairs, board replacement, or full replacement over time.
NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing gives homeowners and project teams a lower-maintenance alternative. It does not need staining, painting, or sealing. It does not rot, peel, splinter, or absorb moisture like wood.
For strata properties, this can be especially valuable. Strata councils and property managers are often thinking beyond the first installation cost. They also need to consider long-term repairs, ongoing maintenance, owner complaints, and how the fence will perform over many years.
For new builds and developments, vinyl fencing can also provide a clean, consistent finished look without the ongoing maintenance cycle of wood.
When fire performance is part of the decision, NORTHERNLINE® offers another advantage. It provides a fire-resistant fencing option with a low flame-spread classification, while still giving the privacy, durability, and low maintenance that property owners want.
Installing with Best Practices in Mind
The best approach is to consider the full fence layout before installation.
If the fence connects directly to a home, garage, shed, or other structure, ask whether a non-combustible break should be included near the building. This may be especially important in higher-risk wildfire areas or communities with local wildfire development guidelines.
A metal gate or short non-combustible section near the home may help align the project with FireSmart recommendations, depending on the property and local requirements.
It is also important to keep the fence line and surrounding area clean. FireSmart planning is not only about the fence material. It also includes what is around the fence. Dry leaves, branches, bark mulch, overgrown shrubs, stored lumber, and other combustible debris can all increase risk.
A fire-resistant fence is a better choice when it is part of a well-planned exterior space.
Check Local Requirements
FireSmart BC provides best practices, but local rules may vary. Some municipalities, developments, strata corporations, insurance providers, or wildfire development permit areas may have their own requirements for fencing materials.
Before choosing a fence for a regulated project, it is always best to confirm the local requirements. This is especially important for new builds, strata properties, developments, and homes in higher-risk wildfire areas.
So, is NORTHERNLINE® Vinyl Fencing FireSmart BC Approved?
No fence brand should claim to be “FireSmart BC approved” unless there is a specific approval program that confirms that claim. FireSmart BC does not approve individual fence brands in that way.
However, NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing can be installed in alignment with FireSmart BC best practices. It is a fire-resistant alternative to wood fencing, with an ASTM E84 flame spread classification of 25. It is not classified as non-combustible, but it has been tested for surface burning characteristics and achieved a low flame-spread result.
For homeowners, contractors, builders, and strata councils looking for a trusted alternative to wood, NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing is a strong choice. It offers privacy, long-term durability, low maintenance, and fire-resistant performance.
If you are planning a fencing project in BC and FireSmart guidelines are part of the conversation, ask your contractor how NORTHERNLINE® vinyl fencing can be installed with FireSmart best practices in mind.
