Edlich Richard F, Winters Kathryne L, Long William B, Britt L D
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
J Long Term Eff Med Implants. 2004;14(2):131-64. doi: 10.1615/jlongtermeffmedimplants.v14.i2.50.
Because residential roof fires remain a life-threatening danger to residential homeowners in the United States, we describe in detail a national fire prevention program for reducing residential roof fires by use of an Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and National Fire Protection Association Class A fire rated roof system. This Class A system should comply with the test requirements for fire resistance of roof coverings, as outlined in UL 790 or in ASTM International (ASTM) E-108. Both the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association (ARMA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) have set up guidelines for selecting a new roof for the homeowner. Class A, fiber-glass-based asphalt roofing shingles represent an overwhelming share of the United States residential roofing market, and, as such, the Class A rated roofing system remains an excellent alternative to wood shingles and shakes. Fortunately, the Class A fire rating is available for certain wood shingle products that incorporate a factory-applied, fire resistant treatment. However, in this circumstance, wood products labeled as Class B shakes or shingles must be installed over spaced or solid sheathing that have been covered either with one layer of 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) thick noncombustible roof board, or with one layer of minimum 72-lb. fiber-glass-based mineral surfaced cap sheet, or with another specialty roofing sheet to obtain the Class A fire rating. Clay, tile, slate, and metal have been assigned Class A fire ratings in the codes (but often without testing). These alternative roofing materials are often considerably more expensive. Proper application, ventilation, and insulation of roofing systems are required to prevent heat and moisture buildup in the attic, which can damage the roofing system, making it more susceptible to water leakage as well as ignition in the event of a fire. The NRCA has devised excellent recommendations for the homeowner to prequalify the contractor. In addition, a warranty for any new roofing material is important for the homeowner to ensure that the roofing can be repaired by the contractor or manufacturer during the specified warranty period, in case of contractor error or a manufacturing defect. In addition, the homeowner should ensure that the warranty is transferable to any future owner of the home to allow the buyer to have the same warranty benefits as the original owner. The State of California has mandated strict roofing requirements to prevent residential fires. In the absence of this legislation in other states, the homeowner must follow the guidelines outlined in this collective review to ensure that a roofing system with Class A fire protection is installed. Other fire safety precautions that should also be considered mandatory are to include smoke alarms, escape plans, and retrofit fire sprinklers.
由于住宅屋顶火灾对美国住宅业主来说仍然是一种危及生命的危险，我们详细描述了一项全国性的防火计划，该计划通过使用保险商实验室公司（UL）和美国国家消防协会的A级防火屋顶系统来减少住宅屋顶火灾。这种A级系统应符合UL 790或美国材料与试验协会（ASTM）E - 108中概述的屋顶覆盖物耐火性测试要求。沥青屋顶制造商协会（ARMA）和全国屋顶承包商协会（NRCA）都为业主选择新屋顶制定了指导方针。A级、玻璃纤维基沥青屋面瓦在美国住宅屋顶市场中占压倒性份额，因此，A级评级的屋顶系统仍然是木瓦和木片的绝佳替代品。幸运的是，某些经过工厂应用防火处理的木瓦产品可获得A级防火评级。然而，在这种情况下，标记为B级木片或木瓦的木制品必须安装在间隔或实心护套上，这些护套要么覆盖有一层1/4英寸（6.4毫米）厚的不燃屋顶板，要么覆盖有一层至少72磅重的玻璃纤维基矿物表面覆盖板，要么覆盖有另一种特殊屋顶板，以获得A级防火评级。粘土、瓷砖、石板和金属在规范中被指定为A级防火评级（但通常未经测试）。这些替代屋顶材料通常要贵得多。需要对屋顶系统进行正确的安装、通风和隔热，以防止阁楼中热量和湿气积聚，这可能会损坏屋顶系统，使其更容易漏水以及在发生火灾时更容易着火。NRCA为业主制定了出色的建议，以便对承包商进行资格预审。此外，任何新屋顶材料的保修对业主很重要，以确保在出现承包商失误或制造缺陷的情况下，承包商或制造商能够在规定的保修期内对屋顶进行维修。此外，业主应确保保修可转让给房屋的任何未来所有者，以便买家能享有与原始所有者相同的保修权益。加利福尼亚州已强制实施严格的屋顶要求以预防住宅火灾。在其他州没有这项立法的情况下，业主必须遵循本综合审查中概述的指导方针，以确保安装具有A级防火保护的屋顶系统。其他也应被视为强制性的消防安全预防措施包括烟雾报警器、逃生计划和改造消防喷头。
