What Building Materials Are Resistant to Fire Damage?

Why Choose Fire-Resistant Building Materials?

According to SFGate, using fire-resistant materials can help "slow the spread of a fire" and help to decrease the amount of property damage. Working with your building contractor and discussing your concerns about fire safety will help you make the best decisions about the products to use, from roofing to windows to bricks.

Fire-Safe Material Ratings

Created by the American Society for Testing and Materials or ASTM, fire-safe building materials are classified and rated based on their flame spread index or FSI. These classes are broken down into Class A, Class B, & Class C.

• Class A – Building materials with this rating have a flame spread index of 0 to 25, meaning that they are more resistant to fire and slower to spread flames.
• Class B – Materials with this rating have a flame spread index of 26 to 75. These are more fire-resistant than the next level but not as resistant as Class A.
• Class C – These materials have a flame spread index rating of between 76 to 200. While still offering some resistance to fire, Class C materials have the highest flame spread index overall.

Your local city officials and fire marshals will determine what class level of fire-resistant building materials are needed. Generally, Class A and Class B materials are required for outdoor structures, stairways, and hallways, and Class C materials are set aside for interior areas. Composite lumber and pressure-treated wood are often used in building materials due to their fire slowing properties.

Fire-Safe Building Materials

According to FEMA, there are many types of building materials, and certain types are more resistant to fire than others. Some of the most used types of fire-resistant building materials include:

• Fire-Rated Glass
• Concrete
• Fire Bricks
• Wood Treated with Fire Retardant
• Special Drywall called Drywall Type X
• Doors that are Fire-Rated
• Dual-Pane Windows
• Fibers Treated with Fire Sealants

While fire-rated glass, fire bricks, and fire-retardant wood are listed above, it’s important to note that not all types are resistant to fire or fire damage. Ask about the heat and fire resistance of the building materials you are considering before you make a decision.

Building with Concrete and Brick

Concrete and brick are often used in building houses. They are strong, sturdy, and durable. Additionally, they offer more protection from fire damage than other types of building materials. However, the intense heat of a fire can still damage fire-resistant structures. Fire-resistant does not mean fireproof.

Replacing fire-damaged concrete or bricks is very important. This is because brick and concrete exposed to flames can expand and contract rapidly, causing them to crack and be structurally unsafe. You will also want to have the soil beneath tested to make sure no chemicals have leaked into the ground.

Remember, if you experienced a fire hot enough to damage the bricks or concrete, then it likely damaged other structures too, such as pipes, hardware, crawlspaces, and more. Cleaning all areas thoroughly to remove smoke and soot is vitally important to the health and safety of you and your family.

Choosing Fire-Rated Windows

They say that windows are like the eyes to your home, and you want to protect them. Generally, traditional glass is used for windows for homes and businesses. Sometimes, the windows are insulated with glass between the windowpanes. It’s true that double-paned windows help keep outside temperatures from affecting the inside temperatures of your home, but it does not offer a good shield from the heat of a fire. That could mean bad news.

Choosing fire-rated glass for your windows can offer a barrier between you and the flames of a fire. Fire-rated glass works by helping to move the fire and smoke away from you & your family, giving you more time to leave your home safely.

The two types of glass tested for fire resistance are E-class and El-class. Fire-rated glass goes through rigorous testing. One important test is starting a fire on a test building and waiting for the temperature on the surface of the glass to reach 1,000° F. After that, the glass is drenched by a two-man fire hose, so the laboratory can figure out how well the panes withstood the quick temperature change.

The results of this test help evaluators give an accurate fire rating based on how long the glass and frame remained intact.

Roofing to Prevent Fires and Fire Damage

No home is complete without a roof, but the roof is the weakest area of a home when it comes to fires. Choosing roofing materials with a high fire rating can help mitigate potential fire damage. Many homeowners go with fiberglass asphalt shingles, and when paired with fire-safe underlay products, these types of shingles can offer a high level of fire resistance.

If you are looking for more fire protection in your roofing materials, consider opting for metal, clay tile, or slate. Keep in mind that these options may come with an added cost, but you will also get more peace of mind knowing that your roof is well-protected.

Conclusion

Protecting your home, your family, and yourself is essential. Even though nothing is totally fireproof, using fire-resistant building materials can help prevent fires and fire damage. Understanding the importance of fire-safe materials will help you make informed decisions before a crisis happens.

Sources

• https://www.astm.org/Standards/E84
• https://emilms.fema.gov/IS320/WM0103020text.htm
• https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fireproof-walls-100662.html