Fire Rated Roofing Materials

Pressure treated shakes and shingles are the most common roofing materials to fall under the class b rating.

Fire rated roofing materials.

The fiberglass based variety also offers excellent fire resistance when installed with fire code compliant underlayments. Class c roofing provides only light fire protection. Shingles are categorized into classes that identify their fire resistance. Metal roofing can be made from copper zinc and steel as well as various alloys and comes in a variety of finishes colors and designs.

Roof eaves overhangs are a fire hazard but they can be protected with an encasement of fire resistant material. A one inch 2 54 centimeter layer of stucco can easily lend a 1 hour fire rating to a wall source. Class c fire resistant roofing material obviously since wildfires and the fire season has become increasingly worse it is important to note the roofing materials that are the lowest rated. Most metal roofs are made of steel copper zinc and alloys that are best for the dry environment in nevada.

The benefit of metal tiles is that they are non corrosive and sit strong on houses with a steep slope. But by including a particular underlying material it can meet the requirements for a class a roof. Stucco is often recommended as one of the best materials for boxing in hazardous eaves. Class b materials are banned in some areas however because they are combustible.

Common underlying materials include a type 72 roll roofing material also known as 72 pound felt or 72 pound capsheet material and a panelized gypsum product called densdeck. Non treated materials have a class c fire rating but wood can cedar shingles and shakes are also available as a more costly treated option wood roofing is prohibited in some areas prone to wildfire so be sure to check with your building department first. Classes b and c denote progressively less fire resistant qualities. Wood shake plywood or particle board roof are the most common roofing types listed as class c.

When tested to see how fast a fire spreads with these materials class a materials stop the spread two feet better than class b. Class a roofing materials are the most fire resistant. An exterior fire retardant treated shake roof has a stand alone class b rating. Experience maximum flame spread of 13 feet.

It s lightweight won t corrode and requires little maintenance. Fiberglass based asphalt shingles as the most economical of all residential roofing materials asphalt shingles make up 80 percent of the u s. Roofing with a class c rating is able to. Metal roofing is non combustible and offers class a protection in combination with a fire resistant underlayment.

Class b materials are fire resistant but only withstand moderate exposure to fire. Metal tiles are made of a material that does not ignite when on fire with a fire resistant barrier with a class a protection. Generally most fiberglass shingles have class a fire ratings and most organic shingles such as treated wood shingles have class c ratings.