Although a completely fireproof roof may not be achievable, it is possible to have a reliably fire-resistant roof. Numerous fire-resistant roofing materials can provide greater fire safety for your home, your property, and your most valuable asset — the people your roof protects!
Industrial roofing systems come in a wide variety of forms, materials, and application techniques. However, determining the perfect roofing system that suits your business can be challenging. Factor like fire safety is one of the things that you should consider. After all, you are protecting many assets that can be destroyed by fire if poor roofing is installed in your building.
If you are asking the question: Is my industrial roof fireproof? Then you are in for a treat. This blog will provide information about how to determine the fireproof level of your roof and how to reduce risks of getting in a fire accident. Read on to find out more.
Four Roof Fire Ratings
There are four fire rating standards that can be followed in order to determine whether your industrial roof is fireproof. Take a look and see whether your roof is in the four ratings mentioned.
1. Class A Rating
Class A roofing is the best option for commercial and industrial properties, particularly in areas prone to wildfires. The roof must be resistant to extreme fire exposure to obtain a Class A rating. Class A roofing can withstand a fire for two to four hours before the fire ignition.
Metal, clay tiles, slate, asphalt-glass fiber-composition shingles, and concrete tiles are some examples of Class A-rated standalone coverings.
Both Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) materials are available with a Class A rating, however TPO is the most commonly used material for commercial and industrial roofing.
2. Class B Rating
Class B roofs are recognized for their resistance to moderate fire exposure. Exterior roofing must resist ignition for at least one hour in order to be classified as Class B. Pressure-treated shakes and shingles are two popular examples of roofing materials that fall under Class B.
The materials rated as Class B are rarely used in commercial and industrial buildings.
3. Class C Rating
Class C roofing provides relatively minimal fire protection. Class C roofing is only required to resist ignition for twenty minutes. Class C materials are not advised for any application in which fire resistance may be an issue.
Untreated wood shakes, plywood, shingles, and particleboard are examples of common Class C roofing materials.
The roof materials rated as Class C are not recommended for commercial and industrial buildings.
4. Unrated Roofing
If a roofing material is unrated, it is not even sufficiently fire-resistant to qualify for a Class C rating. Simply put, it’s best to stay away from any unrated roofing materials.
In fact, most building codes prohibit the use of any form of unrated roofing material.
Types of Industrial Roofing
Several criteria, including the roof’s slope, ventilation systems, and possible weather conditions, determine the optimal roofing material for industrial buildings. Industrial buildings store various goods, some of which require precise temperature control or other specialized conditions.
A roof that can handle a difficult job is needed for an industrial building. Here are some different types of industrial roofing:
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Roofing
TPO is a single-ply membrane laid out on the roof’s surface. TPO roofing membranes are produced in sheets of varying sizes and consist of a mixture of ethylene, propylene, rubber, and fiberglass.
Typically, TPO roofs are white to reflect sunlight and keep building interiors cooler. It’s pretty simple to install and highly durable. TPO roofs can survive for at least 20 years.
The advantages of using TPO in industrial buildings include the following:
- Fire Resistance
- Chemical Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Wind Resistance
- Puncture Resistance
Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen, sometimes known as torch-down roofing, is a single-ply roofing membrane frequently used on flat roofs. This single-ply membrane comprises many layers of polyester, fiberglass, or adhesive. Modified bitumen roofing is resistant to heavy foot activity, making it an excellent choice for structures that anticipate a high volume of people walking on the roof.
During installation, three-foot rolls are heated with a torch while the material is distributed across the roof’s surface. A modified bitumen roof is frequently coated with gravel to protect it from UV radiation.
The advantages of using Modified Bitumen in industrial buildings include the following:
- Fire Resistance
- High Durability
- Weather Resistance
- Low Maintenance
- High Foot Traffic Durability
Metal Roofing
Most people associate metal roofing with industrial buildings. Metal roofing is an obvious solution for sites that require a robust defense against the elements due to its excellent durability.
Metal roofs are available in a variety of materials, such as stone-coated steel, corrugated galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, tin, and stainless steel. Each type has a special feature and resistance level for various kinds of damage.
The advantages of using Metal Roofing in industrial buildings include the following:
- High Fire Resistance
- Wind Resistance
- High Durability
- Versatile
Built-Up Roofing
Built-up roofs (BUR) are not named after the materials used to construct them but rather by their application method. This roofing material has been utilized for decades and may be identified by its gravelly texture.
Built-up roofs have some similarities with modified bitumen but are constructed on-site with multiple layers of material. BUR roofing systems are often installed in many layers, with tar or asphalt as the base layer and gravel as the top layer.
The advantages of using Built-Up Roofing in industrial buildings include the following:
- Fire Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Waterproof
- Low Maintenance
Fireproof Your Roof
You can take the following measures to dramatically reduce the risk of fires in your industrial building:
Check Electrical Systems
Electrical failures are the major causes of roof fires. Therefore, it’s important to have an electrician inspect your roof’s wiring regularly, especially if your building is a few decades old. You must guarantee that the wiring is safe and up to code, or else the safety of your assets and employees will be threatened.
Keep Pests Under Control
Don’t let mice, rats, or possums establish themselves in your roof cavity. Mice and rats, who like to gnaw on the insulation around electrical lines, may cause damage to the wiring. This can result in exposed cables and a significantly increased danger of fire.
Install Fire Resistant Roof
Consider investing in a roof constructed of fire-resistant materials if you are going to replace your roof. Modern materials are designed to reduce the likelihood of fire-related property loss. You can use the information stated above if you’re planning to install a fireproof roof for your industrial building.
Final Thoughts
Your roof plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of your building’s infrastructure. And that’s the reason why it is essential to fireproof your roof in order to protect your asset from the dangers of fire. By using materials that are rated Class A, you can ensure that your assets are much more protected. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Hopefully, the information presented in this article has helped determine how fireproof your roof is. Choosing the suitable material to be used as a roof for your industrial building is not easy. There are many things that are still to be considered, like costs, sizes, type of material to be used, and many more.
To aid you with this decision, our company is here to provide expert knowledge for industrial roofing. We also offer installation for roofings mentioned in this article. Contact us through this link. We’d be happy to serve you!