Can you explain the fire resistance properties of commercial roofing?
Businessproperties of commercial roofing
Your roof plays a significant role in your building’s overall fire protection (along with fire retardant materials, sprinkler systems and extinguishers). Understanding the different ratings of roofing can help you make informed decisions when choosing a new commercial roof. Combustible materials ignite when exposed to embers and can also serve as fuel, contributing to the spread of fire. Metal, on the other hand, is noncombustible and withstands high temperatures without compromising its structural integrity.
Most of the time, roofs in Class A buildings are rated for their ability to resist surface flame spread and to prevent the formation of embers. The specific requirements are based on the fire hazard risk of your local area and can be found in the building codes in your city or state.
Many Commercial Roofing coverings are rated as Class A, including asphalt fiberglass composition shingles and concrete or clay tiles. However, these materials can become vulnerable in wildfire exposures if the design of the roofing system results in gaps between the covering and the sheathing. This can occur when the curved shape of some tile designs — such as barrel-design clay tiles — creates large voids beneath them. These voids can then collect debris, like twigs and dry leaves or birds’ nests, that are readily available for ember ignition by wildfire winds.
Can you explain the fire resistance properties of commercial roofing?
Some roof coverings require an additional underlying material to improve their fire rating and attain a Class A rating, such as aluminum. Some wood shakes are impregnated with a fire retardant solution to achieve this rating, as well. A roof’s fire resistance is a result of the entire system, including underlayment and decking. While standalone roofing materials like slate, clay tiles, concrete shingles and metal panels offer Class A fire ratings, it’s important to note that the classification of a roof assembly depends on the entire assembly, including underlayment sheets and decking material.
As a general rule, wood products are not Class A-rated. This means that when a wildfire sweeps through, embers could fall on your house and ignite combustible decking and framing. In addition to choosing a fire-resistant roof, homeowners should also regularly clean their chimneys and clear debris from gutters. A chimney that is not cleaned regularly will fill with creosote, a highly flammable substance. The same is true for gutters that are filled with leaves, twigs and pine needles. This kind of accumulated debris can easily ignite a roof. The best way to avoid this is with the help of a professional contractor.
Many homeowners and builders are concerned about the fire resistance properties of their Barrie Roofing. Those in wildfire-prone areas can increase their home’s resistance by changing the materials used to build the house, and changing the design of the roof to reduce the number of valleys, dormers, and junctures where dry leaves or pine needles collect. A non-combustible material such as gypsum wallboard can be used to create an effective barrier that resists fire naturally. Gypsum wallboard is also highly durable and requires little maintenance.
Class C commercial roofing is very limited in its ability to resist fire and should be avoided by contractors as it offers minimal protection for a building. Typically, untreated wood shakes or shingles and plywood fall into this category. They can be improved by the use of a fire-retardant underlayment but must be considered as a system rather than a stand-alone roofing covering.
With wildfires occurring across the country, emphasis has been placed on developing fire-resistant building materials. Various standard tests have been developed to establish the fire resistance of different roofing materials. These are divided into categories based on their performance in the event of a fire. A roof with a Class A rating is considered to have the highest level of fire resistance. This includes metal roofing, concrete or clay tiles and sometimes enhanced fiberglass asphalt composition shingles. A roof with a Class B rating can stand up to moderate exposure to fire, while those with a Class C rating are vulnerable to it.
Name : Barrie Roofing & Repair Contractors
Address: 279 Yonge St, Barrie, ON, L4N 7T9 P.O Box#23013
Phone: 705-999-7628