Fire Rated Roofing Materials

The different materials can vary from zinc copper steel galvanized steel aluminum and so on.

Fire rated roofing materials.

Burning pieces of debris and if flames can spread across its surface. These materials are recommended for areas of the country that experience frequent wildfires and have the driest climates. An example of a roof assembly is given in figure 1. Metal is an extremely fire resistant roofing material regardless of what material the shingles are composed of.

Roof covering packaging that encloses shingles or other roofing that have a fire rating will display the level of fire or wind resistance rating of the materials. This includes checking if the material is combustible whether it will splinter and generate flying firebrands i e. Class a materials can withstand the most severe fire exposure and are given the highest rating. Assembly rated class a roof coverings are those that meet class a standards when combined with other elements.

Fire ratings for roof coverings that require an additional material are typically referred to as a by assembly as opposed to a stand alone fire rating. Underwriters laboratories has defined the ul 790 standard tests of roofing material fire resistance to external fire sources. Roofing materials go through strenuous testing to determine a fire rating. Metal tiles are made of a material that does not ignite when on fire with a fire resistant barrier with a class a protection.

The benefit of metal tiles is that they are non corrosive and sit strong on houses with a steep slope. Combustible and noncombustible refer to the performance of a material e g wood stucco steel. Fires that originate outside of the structure itself. Most metal roofs are made of steel copper zinc and alloys that are best for the dry environment in nevada.

Many structural materials will require underlying gypsum sheathing in order to achieve a good fire resistant rating and gypsum board is the most commonly used fire resistant interior finish. The highest fire resistance rating for roofing indicates that the materials are able to withstand severe exposure to fire if the fire source is outside the building. If the roofing manufacturer requires that the fire rating be obtained the installation instructions and additional material must be included in this test. Fire resistant can refer to a material or an assembly e g all the component s in a wall siding insulation and sheathing products.