What is the term for areas adjacent to a building?

The term used to describe areas adjacent to a building is exposures. In the context of firefighting and fire protection, exposures refer to structures or areas adjacent to a fire that could potentially be impacted by the fire if it spreads. This includes not just other buildings, but also vegetation, fences, or other hazards that may pose risks during a fire event.

Understanding exposures is crucial for firefighters as it informs their strategies for protecting nearby structures and limiting fire spread. Assessing exposures helps fire service personnel prioritize their actions, such as whether to apply water to protect an adjacent building or take measures to prevent fire from igniting nearby materials.

The other options, while they might describe various spatial concepts, do not accurately capture the specific focus on nearby structures and areas that could be affected by a fire event. Perimeters refer to the defined boundary or outer edge of an area; environs describe the surrounding area in a broader context, while boundaries typically denote limits or edges rather than the risk posed to adjacent structures.