Iron + Branch Adds Fire-Rated Battery Enclosure to Douglas County Garages

Posted Tuesday, August 25, 2026 12:50 am

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Iron + Branch Targets Dual Garage Fire Risks with Non-Combustible Build and Lithium Battery Enclosure

Castle Rock, United States - August 25, 2026 /Iron + Branch Design/Build/

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - August 23, 2026.

Iron + Branch Design/Build has introduced a fire-resistant garage construction service built around an integrated, fire-rated metal enclosure designed for the charging and storage of lithium-ion batteries. The Castle Rock-based firm says the service addresses two separate fire hazards that have become increasingly common in residential garages throughout Douglas County.

A Dual-Risk Problem in the Modern Garage

Homes in Douglas County sit within Colorado's Wildland-Urban Interface, where embers cast by wildfires can ignite attached and detached structures before flames reach a property line. Alongside that external exposure, the growing presence of lithium-ion powered devices -- e-bikes, electric scooters, cordless power tools, and robotic lawn equipment -- has introduced a distinct ignition risk inside the garage itself. Lithium-ion cells that enter thermal runaway can reach temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and release gases that accelerate fire spread. A standard wood-framed residential garage provides little containment once that process begins.

The new service from Iron + Branch Design/Build pairs non-combustible structural construction and ember-resistant detailing with a dedicated, fire-rated metal storage enclosure built into the garage footprint. That enclosure is designed to isolate lithium battery storage and charging activity, containing a thermal event at its source rather than allowing it to spread to the surrounding structure.

"Everything in the garage runs on lithium batteries now -- the e-bikes, the mower, the drill set, the kids' scooters," said Travis Dunkum, Founder of Iron + Branch Design/Build. "Those batteries are safe when they're stored and charged correctly, but a thermal runaway event in an ordinary garage can take the whole house with it. We designed a garage that contains that risk instead of ignoring it."

Construction Approach and Key Features

The Iron + Branch Design/Build fire-resistant garage system is organized around four primary elements. Non-combustible construction materials replace standard wood framing in critical assemblies. Ember-resistant detailing addresses the ventilation openings, eave gaps, and door seals that wildfire research has identified as common ignition entry points. A dedicated lithium battery storage garage enclosure provides a fire-rated compartment for charging and overnight storage of battery-powered devices. The integrated design-build process ensures the garage is architecturally coordinated with the primary residence from the start rather than appended after the fact.

As a custom home builder Castle Rock CO residents have engaged for design-build projects, Iron + Branch incorporates architectural coordination into the garage construction process from the outset. Handling both design and construction within a single firm allows fire-resistant detailing to be engineered into the building rather than retrofitted after framing is complete.

Addressing Douglas County's Wildfire Exposure

Douglas County's location within Colorado's Wildland-Urban Interface means many residential parcels carry meaningful wildfire exposure. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control has identified ember intrusion as the primary mechanism by which homes ignite during wildland fire events -- a factor that shaped the construction approach Iron + Branch developed for its fire resistant garage Colorado clients.

The residential garage, historically treated as a utility structure with limited fire consideration, has emerged as a point of vulnerability on two fronts across Colorado's Front Range communities. Iron + Branch's combined approach targets both the external wildfire exposure and the internal lithium battery hazard within a single construction scope, allowing homeowners in Castle Rock and surrounding Douglas County communities to address both concerns through one design-build engagement.

About Iron + Branch Design/Build

Iron + Branch Design/Build is a custom design-build firm based in Castle Rock, Colorado, specializing in residential construction projects across Douglas County. The firm offers integrated design and construction services, with current offerings that include fire-resistant garage construction featuring dedicated lithium-ion battery storage enclosures. Iron + Branch Design/Build can be reached by contacting Travis Dunkum, Founder, at travis@ironandbranchdesignbuild.com or (210) 861-4882.

Learn more at Iron + Branch Design/Build