Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 2 ROOFING MATER'S 05-03-93REPORTS V0. 2 5-3-93 0, Inter -Coma DATE: MAY 3, 1993 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: FIRE RETARDANT WOOD SHARE AND SHINGLE ROOFING MATERIALS Receive and file. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the City. No additional inspections are required for the inspection of fire resistive roofing. At the January 19, 1993 meeting of the City Council, Council member Thomas requested a report on fire retardant wood shake and shingle roofs. Roofing products are assigned a fire retardant classification based upon independent testing in accordance with Uniform Building Code Standard No. 32-7. The testing is intended to indicate the characteristics of roof coverings when exposed to fire. UBC Standard No. 32-7 establishes four classes of roofing material, with Class A having the highest level of fire resistance and nonrated roofing (i.e. untreated wood shakes and shingles) having no tested fire resistive characteristics. A summary of fire retardant roofing classifications is as follows: Class A roof coverings are effective against severe fire test exposures. Under such exposures, roof coverings of this class are not readily flammable, afford a fairly high degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to produce flying brands. Class B roof coverings are effective against moderate fire test exposures. Under such exposures, roof coverings of this class are not readily flammable, afford a fairly high degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to produce flying brands. May 3, 1993 Page two Class C roof coverings are effective against light fire test exposures. Under such exposures, roof coverings of this class are not readily flammable, afford a fairly high degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to produce flying brands. Nonrated roof coverings are untested for fire resistance or have failed to pass fire exposure testing. Requirements for roof coverings are contained in the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Chapter 32. UBC table 32-A establishes minimum roof classes. This table has been amended by the City of Tustin to require a minimum of Class C roofing for residential buildings, except in hillside areas where a minimum of Class A roof covering shall be used. State Assembly Bill No. 2131 will require that, on or after July 1, 1995, all new roofs shall have a minimum of Class C rating. Also, all reroofs involving 508 or more of the existing roof within a one-year period will require the installation of Class C roofing. The City currently requires fire resistive roofing. Our current roofing requirements are also consistent with the upcoming requirements from the State. The 1994 editions of the Uniform Building Codes will be available for local review, modification, and adoption in the spring of 1995. During the review and modification period, we may establish more restrictive roofing standards when substantiated by appropriate findings based upon local geography, topography, or meteorology. Modifying Building Codes on a triennial basis is consistent with State law. If the Council desires to change the current roofing regulations prior to the next Code Adoption Cycle, this may be done as an Emergency Amendment to the Code. The process for adopting an Emergency Amendment also requires the documentation of findings to establish the local need for the increased requirements. Wood shakes and shingles are available in nonrated, Class C, and Class B categories. Our current Building Ordinance does not allow for the use of nonrated roofing materials. All wood roofs are required to be a minimum of Class C. Class C and Class B wood shakes and shingles have fire retardant chemicals pressure cooked into the wood fiber at the factory. Field applications of fire retardant chemicals are not accepted for compliance with Class C or B requirements. May 3, 1993 Page three The following cities in Orange County have fire resistive roofing requirements that are more stringent than the UBC: CITY Anaheim Brea Buena Park Costa Mesa Cypress Page three CITY Fullerton Garden Grove Huntington Beach Irvine Laguna Beach La Habra La Habra Heights La Palma Los Alamitos Newport Beach Orange Placentia Santa Ana San Clemente San Juan Capistrano Seal Beach Stanton Tustin Villa Park Westminister Yorba Linda IL -CW, Rick Brown Building Official RB:roof.m :hm MINIMUM ROOFING CLASSIFICATION A & B C C C C MINIMUM ROOFING CLASSIFICATION C C C C B C C C C C A C C B C C C A & C C B C Christine Shingle4yon Assistant City Manager