Dry debris can be ignited by wind-blown embers. Wind-blown debris (including leaves and pine needles from nearby and overhanging trees) will accumulate on roofs and in gutters. Regularly inspect and maintain these areas. Plugging these openings between the roof covering and the roof deck, is commonly called “bird stopping”. Flames from this type of ignited debris can spread to the structural support members, bypassing the protection offered by a Class A rated roof covering. These openings can allow birds and rodents to build nests with materials that are easily ignited by embers. Tile & Roof Coverings with Gaps Between the Covering & Roof Deckįlat and barrel-shaped tiles, metal, and cement roof coverings can have gaps between the roof covering and sheathing, which typically occur at the ridge and edge of roofs. If a wood shake roof does not have the manufacturer’s documentation specifying the fire retardant, assume it’s untreated. Examples of roof coverings with a “by assembly” fire rating include aluminum, recycled plastic and rubber, and some fire-retardant wood shake products. Some materials have a “by assembly” Class A fire rating which means, additional materials must be used between the roof covering and sheathing to attain that rating. Common Class A roof coverings include asphalt fiberglass composition shingles, concrete, and flat/barrel-shaped tiles. Roof covering fire ratings are Class A, B, C, or unrated with Class A providing the best performance. An untreated wood shake or shingle roof covering is the greatest threat to a home. An example of an ember ignition is when wind-blown embers accumulate on combustible materials such as a wood shake roof. Homes ignite in one of three ways: embers/firebrands, radiant heat exposure, or direct flame contact.
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