Roof Covering Classes

We will discuss the different roofing systems advantages materials and demographic concerns of roofs and common problems associated with roof failures and how to identify them.

Roof covering classes.

We recommend having a class a fire rated roof covering but you should understand its limitations particularly those related to edge of roof issues since standard roof tests do not evaluate potential vulnerabilities at these locations. The list of approved laboratories is shown below. Participants earn 2 0 cma continuing education credits. Commercial roofing 101 is a free 2 hour demonstrative class focusing on the principles of roofing and the relationship to property management.

Common stand alone class a roof coverings include clay tiles slate asphalt glass fiber composition shingles and concrete tiles. The astm e 108 ul 790 roof coverings test does not produce a flame spread rating. Examples of a class a roof covering include concrete or clay roof tiles fiberglass asphalt composition shingles and metal roofs. The intermittent flame test.

The operative word here is systems. Slate roofing is the perfect topping to an elegant home providing amazing textures and style. The class a brand weighs 2 000 grams class b 500 grams and class c 9 1 4 grams. Under ul 790 roof systems are evaluated for external fire.

The irc addresses roof covering requirements in several areas. Roof systems are segregated into combustible and non combustible construction types. It is very high quality and very low maintenance with a life expectancy of hundreds of years. Failure is defined as the point where the roof deck ignites.

To meet class a the test specimen must resist 15 cycles class b eight cycles and class c three cycles. Contrary to what many think there are no class a roofing membranes. Slate is considered to be the classiest type of roof cover. It is a pass fail test under which a product either passes the criteria as a class a b or c roof covering system or it doesn t.

Assembly rated class a roof coverings are those that meet class a standards when combined with other elements. An example of an unrated covering is an untreated wood shake roof. It is an entirely different test from astm e 84 ul 723 and it includes weathering per the astm d 2898 standard rain test. Class a is the highest rating offering the highest resistance to fire and unrated is the worst.

A class 4 roof covering receives the highest premium credit. The preeminence of ul is most likely due to their ansi ul 790 protocol. As you contact various contractors or suppliers you should ask about roofing materials that meet ul standard 2218. It comes in various grades and colors.

The fire rating of roof coverings is determined for all materials used in code compliant housing and is classified as class a b c or unrated. Roof coverings that have passed the ul standard 2218 test are classified as either class 1 2 3 or 4.