Flat Roof Fire Hazard
Even wires protected by junction boxes and insulation materials are not completely safe.
Flat roof fire hazard. Torch down roofing is a type of roofing that consists of layers of modified bitumen adhered to layers of fiberglass with a flame torch. On august 2 1978 six new york city firefighters were killed and 34 were injured fighting a fire in a supermarket. E108 defines the following conditions. See the 13 reasons foam fails here for an idea of what it means to be an accelerant take a look at the video below produced.
Over non combustible roof decks such as steel poured gypsum or concrete only the spread of flame on the top surface of the roof system is evaluated. A number of unlabeled and open chemical products had been placed on the floor flammable gases and products stored unprotected on open shelving or placed in boxes or in areas where students were being trained. A leaky roof could cause electrical wirings in the ceiling or attic to malfunction. During a fire and chemical safety inspection at a new roofing apprenticeship training center multiple flammable toxic and hazardous chemical products were discovered throughout the facility.
Fire ratings for roofs are classified as either class a class b class c or are unrated if a roof covering cannot meet the requirements for any of these classifications. It can also lead to wire shorting issues. Roofers encounter many hazards on the job including hazards associated with working at heights and from ladders power tools electricity noise hazardous substances and extreme temperatures. Pros and cons for flat roof materials.
Astm e108 defines fire test methods for roof coverings. Roof leak repairs should be your top priority because believe it or not water damage is a potential fire hazard. After all thermal insulation can and should continuously and completely envelop the buildings we occupy. Class a is the highest rating offering the highest resistance to fire and unrated is the worst.
Many roof accidents involve trips or falls from heights that result in hundreds of deaths annually and scores of other non fatal injuries. Do you know where the firefighter killer hides. Roofing hazards overview roofs aren t designed for constant foot traffic yet inspections and repairs require workers to tread lightly across membranes and metal panels. Torch down roofing is used only for flat or low slope roofs.
Reason foam fails 2 unacceptable fire hazard is it really too much to ask that our thermal insulation not be a fire accelerant. These tests may be conducted at ul inc fm global or any other certified testing laboratory. All three types of flat roofing cost 250 to 350 per square 100 square feet but prices vary according to region and size of the roof.