Frequently Asked Questions

The system uses two independent detection layers working together. Regional satellite data monitors active fire within a 5-mile radius of your property. On-property cameras with intelligent fire detection continuously scan the surrounding landscape for wildfire threats. The system escalates automatically through multiple threat levels based on fire proximity and confirmed threats on the ground.

No. The system is fully automated and activates based on fire proximity, whether you are home or away. When satellite data detects a distant fire, the system alerts you with a push notification and a cancellation window. As the threat moves closer, the system escalates automatically through higher threat levels. At no point do you need to be present or take any action for the system to defend your property.

Our on-property cameras are specifically designed to detect wildfire threats at close range, including structure fires on adjacent properties. When a neighboring home ignites, the camera detection layer identifies the threat and escalates the system response immediately. Eave sprinklers, roof sprinklers, and optional Class A foam (100% biodegradable, non-toxic to plants, pets, and wildlife) work together to create a continuous moisture barrier on your home's most vulnerable surfaces. No system eliminates all risk under extreme radiant heat conditions, but the combination of camera detection, foam-enhanced saturation, and full eave coverage gives your home the best available active defense when the threat is directly adjacent.

The system requires electrical power to operate. FireRoofs strongly recommends a backup generator as the primary power solution. A generator delivers the sustained wattage needed to run backup water pumps, booster pumps, and Starlink connectivity simultaneously for hours. Battery systems such as Tesla Powerwall can keep the controller and cameras running but may not sustain the higher electrical loads required for water pumping. Most homes we install on already have a generator in place. If municipal water pressure drops during a fire event, the system automatically switches to your pool or storage tank with no manual intervention required.

Yes. The FireRoofs app gives you full remote control of your system from anywhere. You can see real-time threat levels, receive push notifications when the system detects a threat, manually activate or cancel individual zones, monitor water pressure and backup supply status, and review system health and detection history. The system is designed to operate autonomously - but the app puts full manual override in your hands wherever you are.

The system uses satellite connectivity to maintain communication when local cell and internet service are disrupted. This keeps the app connected and the system online during the infrastructure failures that commonly accompany major wildfire events.

Your water pressure is tested during the property evaluation. We measure your actual static and dynamic pressure and design the system around what your supply can sustain. If pressure is below the required threshold, a booster pump can be added as part of the installation.

Water consumption depends on the size of your property and the number of zones in your system. We calculate your specific water duration during system design so you know exactly what your supply can sustain before installation begins. Pools, storage tanks, and municipal connections can all serve as water sources.

Yes, and a pool is one of the best backup sources available. Pool integration requires a dedicated pump system and filtration to protect sprinkler components. We design and install the full pool integration as part of the system build. If pool water is being used, a backup generator is strongly recommended to power the pool pump, booster pumps, and Starlink during grid outages. Battery systems may not sustain pump loads for extended runtime.

Yes. We tie directly into the well at the house. If well pressure is insufficient to meet system flow requirements, a booster pump can be added as part of the installation. We test your actual water pressure during the property evaluation and design the pump configuration around what your supply can reliably deliver.

The system can operate on municipal water supply alone. We assess municipal pressure and flow capacity during your property evaluation. If your municipal supply is insufficient or unreliable under fire conditions, we design a solution - booster pump, storage tank, or both - that ensures the system has the water it needs. Municipal water pressure does fail during major wildfire events, which is why we build redundancy into every system design from the start.

Roof sprinklers cover the entire roof surface, gutters, and the immediate area around the home to prevent combustion of nearby items. Eave sprinklers wet the eaves, vents, walls, and windows to protect against ember intrusion and radiant heat. Perimeter sprinklers, if installed, help prevent ember ignition of hillsides or surrounding vegetation approaching the house. Coverage is engineered for your specific lot, not applied from a template.

Wind can affect water distribution. To account for this, every FireRoofs system is designed with overlap between sprinkler heads so that coverage is maintained even when wind shifts spray direction. Sprinkler head placement and type are selected based on the specific wind exposure of your property - we assess prevailing wind patterns and worst-case fire weather directions during the property evaluation. No system is impervious to extreme wind events, but engineered overlap significantly reduces the vulnerability that a single-head-per-zone design would create.

Yes. FireRoofs systems are designed and installed on all roof types - tile, metal, composition shingle, wood shake, and flat roofs. Every system is custom-engineered for the specific geometry and material of your roof, so the installation approach adapts to your structure rather than requiring the structure to adapt to the system.

Both. The system is designed for retrofit installation on existing homes as well as new construction. In all cases, piping is exposed on the exterior of the home. Our standard installation includes paint matching the copper piping that runs along the walls. Paint matching piping on the eaves or roof is available as an added cost. The system performs identically regardless of whether it is installed on an existing home or new construction.

Yes. If the property has multiple structures, each one can be incorporated into the system design. We assess every structure during the free property evaluation and design coverage accordingly. Outbuildings, guest houses, and ADUs are treated the same as the primary residence - each gets the coverage its exposure requires.

Yes. Every system is fully customizable. Complex rooflines require more detailed design work, and that is built into the evaluation process. We assess the full geometry of your roof - pitch, ridgeline, valleys, dormers, and any architectural features - and design zone placement and head selection specifically for that profile. No template is applied to a difficult roofline.

We walk your entire property and assess roof type and pitch, vegetation zones and ember exposure points, water supply and pressure, lot topography and wind exposure, number of structures requiring coverage, and access points for installation. We then design a system specific to your property and provide a full scope with investment range. No commitment required.

FireRoofs systems are professionally installed by a licensed California General Contractor. Installation timelines are property-specific. Every system is commissioned and tested before handoff, including homeowner training on the app.

We use commercial-grade industrial sprinklers, industrial fittings, and industrial roof mounts throughout every installation. All piping is contractor-grade copper and exposed on the exterior of the home. Our standard installation includes paint matching the copper piping on the walls. Paint matching piping on the eaves or roof is available as an added cost. Everything specified and installed is built for permanent outdoor use and engineered to perform under real fire conditions.

We take aesthetics seriously on every installation. All piping is exposed on the exterior. Our standard installation includes paint matching the copper piping that runs along the walls of your home. Paint matching piping on the eaves or roof is available as an added cost. Sprinkler heads are low-profile and positioned to be as discreet as possible. The goal is a system that looks intentional and clean on a luxury property, not something bolted on as an afterthought.

The default is water from your primary supply - municipal connection, pool, or storage tank. When the system escalates to its highest threat level, Class A firefighting foam can be added to the water stream if your system includes the optional foam injection module. Class A foam is the same formulation used by wildland fire agencies. It is biodegradable, non-toxic to plants and pets, and washes off completely with a standard rinse cycle after the threat clears.

Yes. Class A foam contains no hazardous materials, is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and readily biodegradable. It has no chemicals listed on California's Proposition 65 list of hazardous materials. It is the same formulation used by professional wildland firefighters and is safe for plants, pets, and landscaping. After a fire event, the system enters rinse mode and clears all foam with a standard water cycle - no residue remains.

No. Class A foam is non-corrosive and non-damaging to roofing materials, siding, paint, or exterior finishes. It is specifically formulated for use on structures and has been in widespread use by fire agencies for decades. Foam washes away cleanly and leaves no staining or residue.

Yes. The foam system on your property uses a stored concentrate that mixes automatically into the water stream when activated. The concentrate is stored in a dedicated container as part of your system installation. Concentrate replacement is included in the annual maintenance plan.

Many surplus lines carriers and some admitted carriers recognize documented wildfire mitigation systems. After installation we provide a complete evidence packet - engineering specifications, component certifications, activation testing records, and detection coverage maps - formatted for underwriting review. California's Safer from Wildfires framework also requires participating insurers to offer discounts for qualifying mitigation measures. Ask your broker to present the evidence packet and request a discount or credit.

A documented, professionally installed wildfire defense system adds tangible value in two ways. First, it reduces the cost and difficulty of obtaining and maintaining insurance coverage - which directly affects a property's insurability and marketability in fire zones. Second, buyers in high-risk areas increasingly understand wildfire risk and view a functioning defense system as a meaningful asset. We have seen installations support stronger sale prices and faster closings in the communities we serve.

The system does not change your Zone Zero compliance status - that is determined by your vegetation management and materials within five feet of your home. However, when the eave sprinkler zone is installed, it actively wets the entire Zone Zero area around the structure. If you are already in compliance and have patio furniture, planters, or any residual debris in that zone, the eave sprinklers saturate it all - adding active protection on top of your baseline compliance.

System cost depends on property size, number of zones, roof pitch and complexity, water source configuration, and whether foam injection is included. Every system is custom-engineered for the specific property. The evaluation is free and we provide a full system design with investment range before any commitment is required.

FireRoofs provides an 18-month workmanship and installation warranty covering labor, technology, and the full installed system. Manufacturer components - sprinklers, copper pipe, brackets, and mounting hardware - are covered for labor costs for 18 months. Replacement part costs for manufacturer components fall to the homeowner after installation, as with any permanent building system. All FireRoofs clients receive a 20 percent discount on any future system upgrades or technology additions within the first three years from installation.

The system is fully transferable to the new owner and conveys with the property. When ownership transfers, we schedule a one-hour on-site consultation with the new homeowner at no charge - walking them through the system, the app, manual activation and deactivation, maintenance procedures, and what to expect during a fire event. The new owner leaves that consultation knowing exactly how to use and maintain the system.

We offer an optional annual maintenance plan covering system inspection and testing, sprinkler head cleaning, sensor and camera checks, control panel diagnostics, foam concentrate replacement if applicable, and a pre-fire-season readiness check. You can also maintain the system yourself using the procedures covered during your system walkthrough.

We serve the Bay Area and Santa Cruz Mountains exclusively, including Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Cupertino, Woodside, Los Altos Hills, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Atherton, San Ramon, Alamo, Castro Valley, Dublin, Hayward, Milpitas, Scotts Valley, East Bay Hills, and more.

DIY and low-cost kits use irrigation-grade components not designed for wildfire conditions. They typically have no automation, no detection, no foam capability, and no backup water switching. They require you to be home to activate them - which is exactly when you should be evacuating. They also draw from municipal water supply, reducing pressure for firefighting crews. A FireRoofs system is engineered from the ground up for wildfire conditions: commercial-grade hardware, dual wildfire detection, three-level automated activation, optional Class A foam (100% biodegradable, non-toxic to plants, pets, and wildlife), and automatic backup water switching. It activates whether you are home or not, and it runs for hours without anyone present.

Private fire suppression services are deployed reactively, after fire is threatening, and availability during major fire events is not guaranteed. You are competing for the same resource as every other homeowner in your area at the worst possible moment. A FireRoofs system is already installed, already monitoring, and activates automatically without any deployment time, coordination, or availability uncertainty. It is there before the fire arrives, not after.

The FireRoofs app allows you to test the system directly from your phone. During your system walkthrough, we demonstrate a full system test so you know exactly how to verify everything is working. We recommend running a test at the start of each fire season to confirm the system is operational.

After the threat clears, the system enters rinse mode. Class A foam is fully biodegradable and rinses away cleanly with a standard water cycle. No hazmat procedure is required. Landscaping may show temporary flattening from water pressure but recovers normally. We recommend scheduling a post-event inspection through our maintenance plan to verify all components are operating correctly before the next threat season.

FireRoofs recommends an annual system inspection, seasonal visual checks, and periodic system testing to confirm all zones activate correctly. The smart controller provides status monitoring and push notifications to help you stay informed between inspections.

Yes. Roof sprinkler systems pre-wet the roof and surrounding surfaces, dramatically reducing ignition risk from radiant heat and airborne threats. In the 2007 Ham Lake Fire, 100% of homes equipped with exterior sprinklers survived while neighboring unprotected structures were lost.

In documented wildfire events, homes equipped with exterior sprinkler systems have shown dramatically higher survival rates. During the 2007 Ham Lake Fire, 100% of sprinkler-equipped homes survived. This data comes from independent sources and is not claimed as FireRoofs-specific results.

Yes. Depending on your service tier, sprinklers are installed along the roofline and eave line to wet the most vulnerable surfaces. The Guardian and Fortress tiers add dedicated eave sprinkler zones for more complete coverage.

Class A foam is a professional-grade fire suppressant that multiplies the effectiveness of water by helping it cling to surfaces and penetrate materials. It is 100% biodegradable, non-toxic to plants, pets, and wildlife, and rinses off through the sprinklers after the event. It is available as an optional add-on with the Fortress tier and can also be added to any system as a standalone upgrade.

Yes. Pool connection and water tank connection are both available as system add-ons. Your pool or stored water can serve as a supplemental water source. This is evaluated during your free on-site evaluation.

Yes. FireRoofs systems are designed with copper pipe throughout and custom zone layouts that account for slope, exposure, and terrain. Hillside properties in communities like Los Gatos, Saratoga, and the Santa Cruz Mountains are among the most common installations.

Exterior wildfire defense starts with hardening your home's most vulnerable surfaces: the roof, eaves, and perimeter. An automated sprinkler system pre-wets these areas when a threat is detected, while Zone Zero landscaping and noncombustible materials reduce fuel around the structure.

FireRoofs uses dual wildfire detection. The first layer is regional satellite wildfire monitoring that watches for wildfire activity within a 5-mile radius of your property. The second layer is on-property cameras with intelligent fire detection and sensors that confirm threats at your property.

Dual wildfire detection works in two layers. Regional satellite monitoring tracks fire activity across a wide radius. On-property cameras with intelligent fire detection then confirm whether a genuine threat is approaching your home before the system activates.

The system requires electrical power to operate. FireRoofs strongly recommends a backup generator as the primary power solution. A generator delivers the sustained wattage needed to run backup water pumps, booster pumps, and Starlink connectivity simultaneously for hours. Battery systems such as Tesla Powerwall can keep the controller and cameras running but may not sustain the higher electrical loads required for water pumping. Most homes we install on already have a generator in place.

The system uses three threat tiers that escalate automatically based on fire proximity. At the earliest stage, you receive a push notification with a cancel window. As the threat moves closer, the system activates automatically. At the highest level, the system triggers immediate full activation. A physical emergency button on the smart controller enclosure allows manual activation at any time.

Many homeowners in wildfire-prone areas struggle to find or keep coverage. While premium impacts vary by carrier and policy, having a professionally installed wildfire defense system demonstrates proactive risk mitigation. The FAIR Plan caps coverage at $3 million, which often falls far short of actual rebuild costs for homes valued at $5 million and above.

Exterior wildfire sprinkler systems like FireRoofs are voluntary upgrades, not code-mandated. California building codes require interior fire sprinklers in new residential construction, but exterior wildfire defense is a separate category that homeowners choose to add for protection beyond code minimums.

AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, provides grant funding for Zone Zero hardening and fire-safe roofing improvements. SB 429 establishes the Wildfire Public Catastrophe Model to bring transparency to how wildfire risk is assessed in insurance. Both took effect January 1, 2026.

FireRoofs has designed and installed systems across the Bay Area, with active installations protecting homes in Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, Scotts Valley, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Every system is custom-engineered for the property's terrain, water supply, and risk profile.

We chose 32 communities, not 32 states. FireRoofs serves communities across the Bay Area and Santa Cruz Mountains, including Saratoga, Los Gatos, Woodside, Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, Scotts Valley, Danville, Morgan Hill, and more. While other companies expand coast to coast, we went deeper into the Bay Area's fire corridors. 50+ years of local construction and irrigation expertise. Every system designed for the specific terrain. Visit our Wildfire Risk page to find your city.

FireRoofs systems are professionally installed by a licensed California General Contractor. Installation timelines are property-specific. Every system is commissioned and tested before handoff.

System cost depends on property size, terrain, water infrastructure, and the service tier selected. FireRoofs provides detailed proposals after a free on-site evaluation. Book yours at fireroofs.com/book-evaluation.

Water usage varies by system size and the number of zones activated. FireRoofs tests your water pressure and flow rate during the on-site evaluation to confirm your property can support the system before any work begins.

Bay Area climates are generally mild enough that full winterization is not required. FireRoofs uses copper pipe throughout, which is durable and corrosion-resistant. Your annual inspection covers seasonal readiness.

The best system depends on your property's size, terrain, water supply, and risk level. FireRoofs offers three service tiers, from satellite-automated roof sprinklers to full perimeter defense with optional Class A foam (100% biodegradable, non-toxic to plants, pets, and wildlife), all designed and installed by local wildfire defense specialists with dual wildfire detection.