Loomis, CA – FireStorm Building Products, a New Cal Metals subsidiary, introduced a new product to its wildfire‑defense lineup: the V2™ Vents. The vents are marketed as the most technically advanced vent system the company has produced, expanding its integrated home‑hardening ecosystem that already includes EmberVent™ and EmberMesh®.
Why vents matter in wildfire protection
Research shows wind‑driven embers are responsible for up to 90% of residential losses in wildfires. Because vents are intentionally open for airflow, they can become a pathway for embers and, in extreme cases, direct flame exposure. Standard attic, soffit, foundation and crawl‑space vents provide only a single layer of mesh screening and offer no resistance to heat or flame.
Two‑stage defense
The V2™ Vents employ a two‑stage active defense. The first stage is a fine stainless‑steel mesh that continuously filters embers while allowing normal airflow. The second stage is an aluminum honeycomb core coated with an intumescent material. When ambient radiant heat reaches 450°F‑500°F, the coating expands, sealing the honeycomb and creating a solid firewall at the vent opening.
This design lets the vent function like a conventional vent under everyday conditions but transforms it into a flame‑resistant barrier when a wildfire threatens the structure.
Compliance and performance
V2™ Vents meet California Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) classifications and the state’s Chapter 5 (formerly Chapter 7A) requirements for wildland‑urban interface (WUI) construction. The product is tested to ASTM E2886/E2886M/E2912 standards and satisfies the performance‑based compliance path under Chapter 5 as well as the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation.
Practical benefits for builders and homeowners
Because the vents provide a higher net free vent area (NFVA) than typical alternatives, fewer units are needed to achieve proper ventilation. This can lower material and labor costs for new construction, substantial remodels, and retrofit projects.
FireStorm distributes the V2™ Vents nationwide from its headquarters at 3495 Swetzer Road, Ste 500, Loomis, CA 95650, making them available to builders, contractors, and property owners across the United States.
Company perspective
“V2 Vents expand the proven home‑hardening lineup we can offer homeowners in wildfire‑prone zones,” said Nate Oliver, Director of Marketing & Technology at FireStorm. “While EmberMesh and EmberVent address ember intrusion, V2 Vents add a flame‑sealing layer for situations where the threat escalates beyond embers to direct heat and flame contact. Together they give homeowners a complete platform instead of isolated upgrades.”
Broader product ecosystem
FireStorm’s product family now includes eight structural configurations covering soffit, ridge, dormer, eave retrofit, louvered gable, balcony inspection, and foundation assemblies compatible with various siding materials. The addition of V2™ Vents reinforces the company’s reputation as a leader in structural defense solutions for WUI environments.
For more information, visit firestormbuildingproducts.com.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
