N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 1505: Section BC 1505: Fire Classification

1505.1 General.

Roof assemblies shall be divided into the classes defined below. Class A, B and C roof assemblies and roof coverings required to be listed by this section shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 108 or UL 790. In addition, fire-retardant-treated wood roof coverings shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 2898. The minimum roof coverings installed on buildings shall comply with Table 1505.1 of this code based on the type of construction of the building.

Exception: Skylights and sloped glazing that comply with Chapter 24 or Section 2610 of this code.

Table 1505.1

a, b

Minimum Roof Covering Classification for Types of Construction

IA

IB 

IIA

IIB

IIIA

IIIB 

IV

VA

VB 

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

C

b

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

a. Unless otherwise required due to the location of the building within a fire district in accordance with Section D102.2.3 in Appendix D.

b. Buildings that are not more than two stories above grade plane and having not more than 6,000 square feet (557.4 m

2

) of projected roof area and where there is a minimum 10-foot fire-separation distance from the leading edge of the roof to a lot line on all sides of the building, except for street fronts or public ways, shall be permitted to have roofs of No. 1 cedar or redwood shakes and No. 1 shingles in accordance with Section 1505.6.

1505.2 Class A roof assemblies.

Class A roof assemblies are those that are effective against severe fire test exposure. Class A roof assemblies and roof coverings shall be listed and identified as Class A by an approved testing agency. Class A roof assemblies shall be permitted for use in buildings or structures of all types of construction.

Exceptions:

1. Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry, or an exposed concrete roof deck.

2. Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile or slate installed on noncombustible decks or ferrous, copper or metal sheets installed without a roof deck on noncombustible framing.

3. Class A roof assemblies include minimum 16 ounce per square foot (0.0416 kg/m

2

) copper sheets installed over combustible decks.

4. Class A roof assemblies include slate installed over ASTM D 226, Type II underlayment over combustible decks.

1505.3 Class B roof assemblies.

Class B roof assemblies are those that are effective against moderate fire-test exposure. Class B roof assemblies and roof coverings shall be listed and identified as Class B by an approved testing agency.

1505.4 Class C roof assemblies.

Class C roof assemblies are those that are effective against light fire-test exposure. Class C roof assemblies and roof coverings shall be listed and identified as Class C by an approved testing agency.

1505.5 Construction of sloping roofs.

Roofs having a slope of more than 60 degrees (1.05 rad) to the horizontal shall be constructed of material having the same fire-resistance rating as required for an exterior nonbearing wall of the building of which it is a part. When the slope is 60 degrees (1.05 rad) or less to the horizontal, the sloping roof shall be constructed as required for the roof of the building. Where the back of a false mansard is exposed to the outdoors, the back shall be covered with noncombustible material or with roof covering as required for the roof of the building.

1505.6 Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes.

Fire-retardant-treated wood shakes and shingles shall be treated by impregnation with chemicals by the full-cell vacuum-pressure process, in accordance with AWPA C1. Each bundle shall be marked to identify the manufactured unit and the manufacturer, and shall also be labeled to identify the classification of the material in accordance with the testing required in Section 1505.1, the treating company and the quality control agency.

1505.7 Special purpose roofs.

Special purpose wood shingle or wood shake roofing shall conform to the grading and application requirements of Section 1507.8 or Section 1507.9. In addition, an underlayment of 5/8 inch (15.9 mm) Type X water-resistant gypsum backing board or gypsum sheathing shall be placed under minimum nominal 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) thick wood structural panel solid sheathing or 1-inch (25.4 mm) nominal spaced sheathing.

1505.8 Building-integrated photovoltaic products.

Building-integrated photovoltaic products installed as the roof covering shall be tested, listed and labeled for fire classification in accordance with Section 1505.1.

1505.9 Photovoltaic panels and modules.

Rooftop-mounted photovoltaic panel systems shall be tested, listed and identified with a fire classification in accordance with UL 1703. The fire classification shall comply with Table 1505.1 of this code based on the type of construction of the building.

1505.10 Roof gardens and landscaped roofs.

Roof gardens and landscaped roofs shall comply with Section 1507.16.