Rooftop Fire Resistance that Keeps Your Home Protected
Synthetic Roof Tiles Engineered for Fire Safety
House fires are the last thing any homeowner wants to think about, and the first thing they should be protected against. Fire-resistant roofing isn’t just important if you live in a hot, dry climate or areas prone to wildfires; the reality is, house fires often start at the roof, and if yours isn’t fire-resistant, one can happen anytime.
While you can never completely rule out the risk of fires, a fire-resistant roof goes a long way toward preventing them. Lucky for you, fire safety is engineered into every EcoStar product, keeping your home protected and your family safe from the risks of rooftop fires.
Class A vs Class C: What’s the Difference?
To keep safety standards high and customers protected from the risk of rooftop fires, EcoStar sells only synthetic roofing products that earn a Class A or Class C fire-resistance rating under the International Building Code (IBC). These standards guarantee our roofing materials are proven to hold strong against extreme heat and direct contact with flames.
Between Class A and Class C, both can keep your roof protected from fire damage, but they’re not exactly created equal. While all roofing materials are tested by the IBC under the same criteria, their performance under these tests determines their fire safety rating.
U.S. Regions that Require Class A Fire-Resistant Roof Systems
Class A roof systems are the best defense against roof fires anywhere, and that reputation precedes them. In wildfire hotspots across the country, including California, Class A roof systems are mandatory. In the southwest, regions with hot, dry climates like Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California also require Class A materials.
Class A Roofing Standards
For climates that demand the best, Class A roofing materials offer the highest standard of fire-resistance commercially available. Passing those high standards doesn’t come for free; they’re met through strenuous testing that only the toughest products can endure.
Owing to their reputation for unmatched durability that goes beyond the limits of other materials, Class A roofing products are even required in some areas of the U.S., especially prone to wildfires, such as Southern California.
Class A qualifications include:
- A maximum flame spread of only six feet.
- It can withstand a burning brand measuring 12” x 12”.
- The material doesn’t break down over 15 cycles of intermittent flame.
- The tile can withstand flame for 2 to 4 hours without igniting.
U.S. Regions that Require Class C Fire-Resistant Roof Systems
Class A roof systems are a requirement for certain areas around the country, but Class C roof systems are the standard; they’re required everywhere in the U.S., guaranteeing every home is backed by robust fire safety guidelines.
If a residential property wants a new roof, the materials must earn at least a Class C fire-resistance rating to be legal for commercial use and sale.
Class C Roofing Standards
While not as robust as Class A materials, Class C roofing products still need to prove a high degree of durability and toughness under extreme heat.
Make no mistake, Class C roof systems will hold up better in a blazing wildfire, but not every homeowner or every climate needs that serious level of protection to keep their home fire safe.
Outside of extreme conditions, Class C roofing materials still hold up well against fire damage, earning this rating through the same tests that Class A materials use to prove their worth.
Class C qualifications include:
- The flame spreads up to 13 feet across the tile.
- It can withstand a burning brand measuring 1.5” x 1.5”.
- The material begins breaking down after 3 cycles of intermittent flame.
- The tile can withstand flame for 20 minutes without igniting.
How are Roofing Materials Tested?
Natural or synthetic, no matter the material, the IBC subjects all roofing products to the same three tests. These tests are engineered to thoroughly prove a roofing material’s ability to withstand extreme heat and fire exposure under true-to-life conditions.
- Spread of Flame Test:
This test determines how quickly fire spreads across the surface of a product. - Intermittent Flame Test:
A gas burner is used to expose the tile to a flame for two minutes at a time. Every two minutes, the flame is turned on and off for 15 intervals. If a material can last all 15 without breaking down, it will likely achieve a Class A rating. - Burning Brand Test:
The roofing material, along with everything from the underlayment to the insulation, is subjected to a fiery brand. The larger the brand it can withstand, the higher the rating it can achieve.
Rooftop Fire Resistance by Material
Which Material Makes the Best Fire-Safe Roof?
While the IBC tests all roofing materials under the same standards, keeping homes and families protected from dangerous rooftop fires, the true nature of a fire-resistant roof isn’t just in the rating; it’s what it’s made of.
Not all materials have the makings of a Class A roof; these are the most likely to earn the rating:
- Clay and Concrete: Robust, heavy, and durable, the secret to clay and concrete’s fire resistance doesn’t stop there – it’s their unique blend of noncombustable materials that keeps flames from spreading and these tiles from melting under the pressure of extreme heat.
- Metal Roofing: Steel, aluminum, and copper are the usual suspects in most metal roofs; they’re also noncombustible materials that help keep homes protected from rooftop fires. Especially with a non-combustible underlayment installed, metal roofs often earn a Class A rating.
- Natural Slate: This material is fire-safe by nature; stones like slate inherently don’t break down or melt under extreme temperatures, making them an ideal candidate for Class A status.
- Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles: These modern asphalt shingles use a fiberglass base that provides more robust fire resistance than traditional asphalt, acting as a fire-resistant coating that prevents melting and stops flame spread.
- Synthetic Roofing: Here’s where we come in – synthetic materials are engineered to uphold high standards of fire protection. EcoStar products are made of a rubber composite polymer for lightweight, easy-to-install, and fire-resistant roofing tiles that are manufactured only to meet Class A or Class C standards, safeguarding our customers’ roofs from fire damage.
Miami-Dade Certification
If you’re getting a new roof installed in South Florida, Miami-Dade County comes with its own high safety standards for residential building projects. To meet those standards, roofs need to be built with Class A materials to earn Miami-Dade’s notice of acceptance (NOA).
Why? Miami-Dade is hurricane country; after Hurricane Andrew’s widespread destruction in 1992, it became clear that normal building materials just weren’t enough for South Florida. Today, they require only the highest degree of safety, durability, and fire resistance across any residential roofing project.
EcoStar: Class A and Class C Certified Synthetic Roof Tile
All EcoStar synthetic roofing products are designed to meet high fire-resistance standards, so homeowners who want to take full advantage of our diverse shades and styles don’t have to compromise on protecting their homes. Many of our products are available in both Class A and Class C, offering the highest degree of protection against rooftop fires for those who need it.
EcoStar Class A and Class C fire-resistant roof tiles come in our full range of styles and shades, including:
- Traditional Slate
- Niagara Slate
- Traditional Shake
- Niagara Shake
- Aspen Blend Shake*
- Concrete Flat Tile
- Island Groove Clay
