FAQ

Below, you'll find the answers to many of our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call at (310) 880-4105.

• How do First Line Defense systems work?

First Line Defense wildfire protection systems use your pool, pond or [other significant water source] to deliver between [x - y gpm : a large volume] of water to your property by way of powerful pumps which feed high-flow, strategically positioned sprinklers which saturate, hydrate and raise the overall humidity around the structures and foliage throughout the defensible space surrounding your property, as wildfires approach.

Our systems comparably deliver up to to [X”] of rainfall per hour within the coverage area of your system. Additional 1.5” attack lines allow you to manually hydrate hard to reach areas, parts of your property of particular importance, or even put out Spot Fires or stray embers which can be blown onto your property from [many] miles away from the burn zone during an active wildfire.

In fact, many structure fires occur far from the direct flames of a wildfire itself. One of the greatest and most preventable causes of structural fires caused by wildfire outside of the flames themselves are caused by Firebrands.

Spot fire ignition of a wildland fire by firebrands (flaming or glowing embers) is an important fire ignition pathway by which wildfires are started and may propagate. Once a wildfire has been ignited and grows, it can spread rapidly through ember spotting, where by pieces of burning material (e.g. branches, bark, building materials, etc.) are lofted by the plume of the fire and then transported forward by the wind landing where they can start spot fires far downwind.

While no system on its own can guarantee complete protection of your property, especially if it falls directly in the path of an uncontained wildfire, First Line Defense wildfire system will give your property the best chances of survival by creating a defensible ring of deep hydration and increased humidity around your property.

• How easy are FLD systems to use?

First Line Defense systems are extremely easy to use and take less than five minutes to drop the suction hose into your pool, screw-on the hoses & jumpers, prime the pump, and start the engine to have water flowing throughout your property.

• Are FLD systems powered by gasoline or propane?

Our standard systems are gasoline powered but can be easily upgraded to accept propane as well. We recommend the added redundancy, reliability and flexibility that a dual fuel system offers.

• Are FLD systems Manual or Automated?

At this time, our systems are manually controlled only and require that you start and stop the pump as well as control the delivery manifold manually during use. But, we’re working hard on developing an advanced system that can be programmed or controlled remotely, in case you are away from your property when wildfire strikes. But, don’t wait to install your First Line Defense! system! When our automated systems come online, all of our legacy systems will be capable of being retrofitted to include our new, automated features.

• Can FLD systems be used to allow me to fight wildfires?

NO!!! Our systems are ONLY meant to be used preventatively and should NEVER be used by an operator to attempt to fight an active wildfire head-on.

First Line Defense systems do not provide you with the adequate knowledge, skills, tools or fitness necessary to be a qualified firefighter.

Our systems are your FIRST LINE of DEFENSE and are only intended to be used well before a wildfire approaches your property or an evacuation order has been given. Once an evacuation notice has been given for your address or zone, you MUST be ready to shut off your pump (and your propane tank, if necessary) and immediately evacuate.

View our WILDFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE.

NEVER stay behind after an evacuation notice has been given to try to fight a wildfire!!! Using our systems in any way other than as intended is extremely irresponsible and a severe threat to both your own life, as well as the lives of the firefighters and other first responders who are responsible for your rescue. Misusing our products may put you and everyone around you in grave danger!

• Are FLD systems Manual or Automated?

• How much do FLD systems cost?

Because no two properties are the same, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to fire mitigation, which is why we come out to your property to perform a Consultation and On-Site Inspection before ever providing you with a quote. Depending on the size of your property, the difficulty of the terrain, and many other variables, system requirements and installation costs can vary widely. But, in order to help you understand the system requirements and gauge what the costs might be on your property, we've put together this handy Pricing Chart which outlines average pricing by property size.

• Do you offer financing or payment plans?

No, at this time we do not offer financing or payment plans.

• Do FLD systems help to decrease the rates of my fire insurance policy?

• Do I need a pool or other significant water source on my property to use an FLD system?

Yes. At this time, in order to take advantage of First Line Defense wildfire systems, you’ll need a significant water source, such as a pool, pond, lake or large water tank or other reservoir available on your property, to supply water to your system.

There are two main reasons that this is the case...

First, when wildfire strikes, firefighters in your area need ample water and pressure to fight fires, so we’ve chosen to limit the competition for resources that comes from being tied into the shared, municipal water supply that firefighters need.

Secondly, the larger pumps we use in our systems to supply adequate pressure to our sprinkler arrays and attack lines requires an extra large 3” suction hose to provide these pressures. Without direct access to a fire hydrant, there are typically no other sources which can provide our system with the volume of water that it needs to provide adequate pressure, especially for larger properties.

• What can I do if I don't have a pool or other significant water source on my property?

If you don’t currently have a pool, pond or or other significant water source available on your property, we may be able to help by providing you with a Water Containment Solution that will supply your new FLD system.

Depending on your property and system requirements, we can supply you with one of a number of different above-ground or below-ground options that not only serve as water containment for your FLD system, but may also perform double-duty as a Rainwater Harvesting System and storage for an off-grid irrigation system, helping to keep your property green, lush & safe year round, without the expense or waste of precious county water.

The draught, persistently dry weather conditions, lack of proper forestry management and the anticipated but unpredictable nature of the annual Santa Ana Winds make our communities within the Santa Monica Mts. particularly vulnerable to wildfire. Even in years when we receive heavy rainfalls, previous fire scarring, parched landscapes and poor soil health prevent water from penetrating deeply enough to enrich the water tables and leading to further soil erosion and torrential fresh rainwater runoff spilling from our watersheds and creeks out into the ocean. Rainwater harvesting…. etc…

• What is Rainwater Harvesting and how can it help me?

Rainwater Harvesting Systems, also known as Rainwater Collection systems, Rainwater Catchment or Rainwater Reclamation systems, is a technology that collects and stores rainwater for human use.

Rainwater harvesting systems range from simple above ground rain barrels to more elaborate underground structures with pumps, tanks, and purification systems. This non-potable water can be used to supply your First Line Defense system, irrigate landscaping and can even be purified for human consumption.

With water scaricity a pressing problem for all of us in the Los Angeles basin, rainwater harvesting systems can supply households and businesses with water for use in FLD systems, irrigation purposes in dry seasons, and to lessen the demand on municipal systems.

Given that rainfall is sporadic and that only a small proportion of global precipitation is easily available for human use, rainwater harvesting can be an efficient means of capturing that precious resource.

In the Santa Monica Mts., much of the rain that falls does not percolate into the soil and is instead directed via watersheds into our creeks which expels valuable fresh water into the ocean. Some areas, particularly those in the southwestern United States, view rainwater harvesting as a water rights issue and place restrictions on such collections.

• How do I maintain my FLD system?

Like any other mechanical system, your FLD system requires regular maintenance and care. We recommend that maintenance and testing of your system is performed at least once every 3-4 months to ensure that your system is fully operational and performs properly when fire strikes and you need it most.

Maintenance on your FLD system is as easy as it is to use and is a great opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the operation of your system throughout the year. With proper maintenance, your FLD system will provide you with a First Line of Defense against wildfires for decades to come.

While maintenance of your system is indeed simple to perform, we know life keeps you busy and maintenance can be just another headache - and NOT something you can afford to forget! That’s why we alternatively offer our clients a Maintenance Service Program and Extended Installation Warranty, to ensure that your FLD system is in perfect working condition when the time comes. And, if we do find any issues with your system, such as leaks or mechanical issues, we’ll make all the necessary repairs, free of charge, and assist you in handling any rare warranty claims that you may encounter. Our maintenance program not only gives you piece of mind that your First Line Defense system is working when you need it, but also provides you with a second line of defense in the form of an Extended Service Warranty.

• Can I tap into a municipal water source to feed my FLD system?

Because the pressure provided by the municipal water systems to your home or business typically doesn't carry the pressures or volumes of water required by our pumps & sprinkler systems to be effective, we rarely rely on municipal water sources when building our systems.

Additionally, during wildfires, our firefighters require this municipal water supply to fight wildfires and creating any competition for water resources during this critical time is not the solution.

However, if you have a very small property which doesn't require the pressure and coverage area provided by our larger 3/4" or 1" sprinkler heads, we may choose to use municipal water instead.

• Where are the products that FLD offers made?

We are proud resellers of Code3 Water® products, made in the great state of California in the U.S.A.

Check out Code3 Water® to learn more about the company and their fine line of reliable and lasting products.

Do you offer Warranties on your Products & Services?

We are a reseller of Code3 Water® products, manufactured in California. All Code3 Water® pumps, sprinklers and accessories we offer include a Manufacturer's Limited Warranty. Code3 limited warranty will not be honored if the customer’s mishandling, misuse, abuse or faulty use causes the defect. Our limited warranty covers the parts of our systems that SRM manufactures. Limited warranty covers the main structure of our products. Parts that are considered "wear items " are not covered by any limited warranty. The products that we carry that are made by others are covered by their own warranties and must be claimed directly with the manufacturer.

We offer a 1yr Limited Installation Warranty on our labor & services, beginning from the date of completion of your installation. We also offer an Extended Installation Warranty when you take advantage of our Maintenance Service Program, which provides you with yearly maintenance to your system as well as a warranty on all labor, services and installation materials, free of additional charge.

Do you provide products or services to clients outside of the Santa Monica Mountain range?

At this time, we only service clients within the Santa Monica Mountain range, located in the following communities:

Topanga • Malibu • Thousand Oaks • Calabasas • Monte Nido • Cornel • Hidden Valley • Tarzana • Pacific Palisades

If your property is located outside of our service coverage area, don't fret! We may still be able to assist or advise you in the purchase, design & installation of a system.

Give us a call at (310) 880-4105

We'd love to speak with you!

What other measures can I take to increase the effectiveness of my FLD system?

While your First Line Defense system will provides the best chances of survival by creating a defensible ring of deep hydration and increased humidity around your property, no individual system on its own can completely guarantee total protection of your property, especially if it falls directly in the path of an uncontained wildfire.

The most important thing you can do in tandem with the installation of your new FLD system is to closely follow your community’s rules & guidelines on creating a Defensible Space around your structures. This should be your first step in implementing a wildfire defense strategy on your property.

Check out this List of Resources we put together that will provide you with more information about guidelines on creating defensible spaces, as well as a great wealth of other information in your community.

What does my Fire Department think about First Line Defense systems?

[Quotes from local FD69 +)