Crib sheet for western red ced

ordained, although in unusual situations Class B mav be required.

Do pressure-treated shingles have a different color? ls a variety of colors available? There is minimal change in appearance of pressure-treated western red cedar shingles or shakes. A variety of colors is not available.

The net result has been a substantial number of building codes which require fire-retardant roofing. Southern (lalifornia counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San llernardino and Riverside and some areas in Texas are among jurisdictions adapting llre-retardant roofing regulations.

and shakes travel into pressure treating cylinder where they will be iniected wilh fire retardant chemicals to meet UL-790 standards.

El ED CEDAR shingles and fI shakes rate hieh marks for quality, appearance ind good taste, but homeowners in the market for a roof are often confused about their ability to resist fire.

The following questions with answers provided by the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau experts can serve as a guideline for dealers faced with customers asking tough questions about fire-treated shingles and shakes.

Q: Are there any wood shingles/ shakes that have a Class A rating?

A: Yes. Not the shingles/shakes themselves, but a Class A rating can be achieved by using a system; taking Class B shakes and using them in conjunction with gypsum underlay.

Are most local codes satisfied withClassB&Cratings?

Speaking of residential structures, most local codes accept unrated roofings. Only when special circumstances or hazards are present do local codes require rated roofing. Normally, in these situations, Class C is ls the durability of the product at all affected by pressure treating? Individual treater companies claim that fire-treating increases life service.

What is the significance of the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory confi rming product performance? The Laboratory, located in Madison, Wi., is the U.S. F'orest Service's technical and experimental facility. A highly-regarded institution, it is constantly working to improve the performance o[wood products, including fireretardant treatments, and therefore it was logical for the staff to investigate both commercial shingle/shake chemicals and some of their own creation.

How does fire-treating increase the cost of the product?

By approximately 5006 over the natural product.

Could you elaborate on some typical fire codes where the usage of wood shakes and shingles is significant?

Story at a Glance

Answers to questions on firetreated roofing facts about western red cedar shingles and shakes . . techniquesfordealing with tough customers.

Q:

Could you give us a brief explanation of the pressure-treating process?

Bundles of shakes and shingles are locked inside a cylindrical retort. After a vacuum is created by drawing all the air and moisture from the cells of the western red cedar, a fire retardant chemical is injected at a pressure up to 150 pounds per square inch. lorcing it into every cell of the wood.

Upon removal from the pressure vessel, the chemically treated products are placed in a special dry kiln where they are finished with a thermal cure at temperatures up to 200"F. This procedure locks the chemical into the wood fibers lor permanent fire protection which will not leach or weather awav.

A:

Most fire problems have occurred in areas where there is a high incidence of wood roof usage with long spells of dry weather, large amounts of fireprone brushy vegetation, and periods of desiccating bone-dry winds off the high desert and brush fires which cause residential conflagrations.

Q:

A:

Are there insurance cost savings when installing pressure-treated shingles or shakes?

There will be no insurance saving from the use of fire-treated wood roofing on residences. Such structures are class-rated.