How Architectural Design Meets Wildfire Safety

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Wildfires continue to devastate homes, but the information in this RLW can help contractors educate themselves, make more sales and protect their customers.

In order for contractors to consume information and learn from other industry professionals how they want and when they want, RCS developed RLW, which stands for Read, Listen, Watch. 

Our latest RLW features Zach Stopyro, the technical services manager for DaVinci Roofscapes, and AC Galeon, the Southern California territory manager, at DaVinci Roofscapes.  During the webinar Zach and AC spoke with Heidi J. Ellsworth, RoofersCoffeeShop® partner, about Architectural Design Meets Wildfire Safety - Understanding Roofing Fire Testing.

Zach travels all over North America for DaVinci. He helps educate contractors and the industry, on composite shake and slate roofing products, top installation practices and on product testing.  AC works up and down the West Coast. He’s had extensive involvement with fire rules and regulations, along with testing.

Wildfires continue to devastate various regions across the United States.  Recent wildfires are causing massive destruction to residential areas.  In 2018, more than 58,000 wildfires occurred, burning 8.8 million acres and more than 18,000 structures.  

The roofing industry is working hard to educate people on the benefits of fire-resistant roofing. Contractors need to understand that both the roof system and the specific selection of roofing products are important to keep homes, families and valuables safe.

The first concept Zach explains is the difference between product testing and system testing.  Product testing only tests one part of a system at a time, such as the shingles, sealants, etc.  This testing is done to see how that particular product will perform on its own. It also tests how the product will handle different weather, temperatures and climates. 

Zach stresses the importance of knowing the difference between materials that are tested as fireproof versus those tested as fire resistant.  Understanding how roof materials are categorized and rated is important for both contractors and homeowners.

There are three categories of fire ratings for products — Class A, Class B and Class C. 

According to Zach, “Class A is your highest fire rating, meaning that it gives you the most resistance to fire.  Class B handles moderate fires, allowing a flame to spread no more than eight feet.  Class C is the least fire resistant.  With a Class C rating, the product can prevent a flame from spreading no more than 13 feet.” 

Zach and AC also dive into how roofing materials get their ratings.  Manufacturers submit their products for testing and they’re categorized into groups depending on their fire resistance— how easily the material burns.  Zach explains that the experts who are performing these tests consider three specific things: 

1. Burning Brand Test: The way a flame penetrates through the exterior of the roof material and into an attic.

2. Intermittent Flame Test: The amount of embers formed and how they flow, or if they’ll travel when wind is produced.

3. Spread Flame Test: When a flame is placed onto the surface or the roofing platform, how far will it travel.  Will it combust and start to burn?  How far will it burn depending on the pitch of the roof?

Many different elements create the entire system of a roof.  System testing examines everything from the shingles the homeowner sees to all of the individual parts beneath the surface, such as the underlayment and flashing.  

Zach’s advice is to match up a Class A roofing product with Class A underlayments. Contractors should make sure that every component of their system works together to achieve a high fire rating.

In order for contractors to differentiate themselves and help their customers, Zach and AC recommend contractors be educated about the different fire ratings and testing conducted on products.  They also suggest contractors watch the product testing take place to have first-hand experience with the testing and to better understand the product differences. 

Manufacturers, like DaVinci Roofscapes, can help contractors be prepared with fire testing details to share with their customers.  AC shares, “This is the information age.  Homeowners are doing their research.  They go online to learn about the products that are being installed.  They study the estimates and the quotes.  They look at reviews to understand which products and contractors top the lists.” 

Everybody’s life is valuable. Today’s homeowners want to know what roofing products and systems will best protect their homes and families.  When contractors educate themselves and have more information, they are better equipped to share that knowledge with their customers to help them make an informed decision that will keep them protected.  Especially now, with the number of wildfires impacting residential areas, contractors need this information to bring peace-of-mind and valuable product details to their customers.

To Read, Listen or Watch more from Zach and AC about understanding roofing fire testing, visit RoofersCoffeeShop RLW.  

Learn more about DaVinci Roofscapes.