A Los Angeles Times home improvement blog, titled "Pardon Our Dust," discusses a ember-blocking roof vent invented by a San Bernardino firefighter. Blogger Kathy Price-Robinson pulled a quote by UC Cooperative Extension wood durability advisor Stephen Quarles from a UC ANR news story to add to her post with a link to the complete story. Here's the quote:
"Quarter-inch mesh cannot stop embers and flames during wildfires. This is an example of conflict in code preferences between building and fire officials. Smaller mesh screens would do a better job of keeping out fire and embers, but these same screens plug up more easily."
The new invention is a baffled vent cover, made of 26-gauge galvanized steel, that allows air to flow freely but blocks embers from passing through. An article about the baffled vent covers in Fire Engineering magazine says the baffle material acts as a heat sink, virtually eliminating the threat of fire embers entering through a structure's vent openings.