A Quick Guide to Fire Ratings for Roofing Systems

If a fire should a fire break out in your home, not only could you lose everything you’ve worked hard for, but it can also put you and your family’s lives in danger. Luckily, experts say that it is possible to slow the spread of fire around your home by installing a fire-resistant roofing system. But how exactly will homeowners know if the roof they’ve obtained is fire resistant?

Here’s a quick guide to the fire ratings professionals give to roofing systems.

Unrated

If a roof is unrated, it means that it wasn’t able to pass the requirements needed to become a Class C roofing system. If you find a roof like this, it means that it offers little to no fire resistance and should always be avoided. In fact, most building codes will not accommodate roofing materials with this kind of rating.

Class C

Class C roofing systems offer only light protection against fires. If a roof has a Class C rating, it can experience a maximum flame spread of 13 feet, last 20 minutes before ignition and resist 3 cycles of a gas flame turned on and off. Examples of Class C roofing materials include untreated wood shakes and shingles, plywood and particleboard.

Class B

According to roof repair pros, Class B roofs are effective against moderate fire exposures and experience a maximum flame spread of eight feet. They can also last one hour before ignition and can resist eight cycles of a gas flame turned on and off. Often, Class B roofing materials include pressure-treated shakes and shingles.

Class A

Unsurprisingly, Class A roofs are the preferred choice of every homeowner, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires. For a roof to achieve the Class A rating, it must be effective against severe fire exposure. This can be proven if the roof can undergo a maximum flame spread of 6 feet, last 2 to 4 hours before ignition and resist 15 cycles of a gas flame turned on and off. Most roofing shingles nowadays are usually given the Class A rating.

Need an expert roofer who can help you install fire resistant roof? Look no further than Quality Assurance Roofing. Give us a call at (479) 279-8500, or fill out our contact form to get a FREE quote. We serve homeowners in Rogers, AR, and other nearby areas.