Fire Resistance
For several years cedar shakes and shingles have been blamed for wild land interface and urban conflagrations. Cedar is not the hazard our competitors like to claim.
Roofing materials play a very minor role in residential fires. In 1970 the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) dropped "Sparks on Roofs" in their annual listings of fires by cause since the statistic fell below 1/2-of-1%. The 1994 NFPA report shows annual averages for 1987 through 1991, roofing materials of all types accounted for only 1.69% of all materials first ignited in residential fires. The life-safety rating is even lower with only 2/10ths-of-1% of all fire related civilian deaths occurring when exterior roof coverings were first ignited.
Many major conflagrations since 1961 were blamed on wood, but actually wood roofing material was nonexistent or minimal.
| Year |
Location |
Structures
Destroyed |
Wood
Roofs |
Others |
Notes |
| 1961 |
Bel-Aire, CA |
638 |
370 |
268 |
Fire Storm |
| 1973 |
Chelsea, MA |
1,400 |
0 |
1.400 |
Fire Storm |
| 1981 |
Atlas Peak, Napa, CA |
158 |
28 |
130 |
Inadequate brush clearance |
| 1983 |
Australia |
2,463 |
0 |
2,463 |
Fire Storm |
| 1985 |
Palm Coast, FL |
99 |
0 |
99 |
Fire Storm |
| 1985 |
Baldwin Hills, CA |
25 |
12 |
13 |
Fire Storm |
| 1988 |
Granada Hills, CA |
45 |
20 |
25 |
Santa Ana winds, brush fire |
| 1989 |
Wilshire, CA |
23 |
10 |
13 |
Brush Fire |
| 1991 |
Oakland, CA |
3,345 |
1,003 |
2,342 |
Santa Ana winds, drought |
| 1993 |
Laguna Beach, CA |
219 |
88 |
131 |
Fire Storm |
The Clarke Group also recognizes that fire hazards exist in areas like California's dry-brush hillsides, and therefore recommends only Cedar Plus fire retardant shakes and shingles in these areas. Cedar Plus fire retardant cedar shakes and shingles will help protect homes against flying embers. Cedar Plus is treated in accordance with Uniform Building Code Standards. The product is tested to UL-790, ASTM E108, UBC 15-2, and NFPA 256 standards.
5.1 - Materials First Ignited in U.S. Home Fires
1987-1991 Annual Average
National Fire Protection Association
|
Civilian Deaths |
Fire Incidents |
| 4,279 |
498,100 |
| Upholstered Furniture |
21.29% |
3.67% |
| Other Known |
17.48% |
17.83% |
| Mattress/Bedding |
16.52% |
6.91% |
| Structural Member |
7.29% |
7.97% |
| Interior Wall Covering |
6.73% |
4.12% |
| Floor Covering |
4.11% |
2.37% |
| Fuel |
3.86% |
3.51% |
| Electric Wire |
3.41% |
7.03% |
| Cooking Materials |
3.20% |
16.22% |
| Rubbish or Trash |
2.99% |
13.73% |
| Clothing (On a person) |
2.87% |
0.16% |
| Clothing (Not on person) |
2.71% |
3.07% |
| Newspaper |
1.33% |
1.24% |
| Cabinetry |
1.12% |
1.47% |
| Christmas Tree |
0.84% |
0.10% |
| Linen |
0.82% |
0.74% |
| Curtain/Drape |
0.79% |
1.12% |
| Wall/Exterior |
0.77% |
3.45% |
| Box/Bag |
0.58% |
1.08% |
| Ceiling Covering |
0.40% |
0.58% |
| Roof/Exterior |
0.23% |
1.69% |
| Non-upholstered Furniture |
0.19% |
0.08% |
| Insulation |
0.16% |
1.10% |
| Cleaning Supplies |
0.14% |
0.30% |
| Books |
0.05% |
0.12% |
| Ironing Board |
0.05% |
0.04% |
| Decorations |
0.02% |
0.16% |
| Fabrics |
0.02% |
0.10% |
| Luggage |
0.00% |
0.02% |
|
100.00% |
100.00% |
5.2 - What are your odds?
| Fatality from heart disease - |
1 - in - 240 |
| Automobile Fatality - |
1 - in - 4,800 |
| Murdered - |
1 - in - 10,000 |
| Fatality household accident - |
1 - in -13,000 |
| Fatality in a house fire - |
1 - in - 53,000 |
| Fatality from a lightning bolt - |
1 - in - 3,100,0000 |
| Winning the state lottery - |
1 - in - 5,200,000 |
Fatality in a house fire
which started on the roof - |
1 - in - 25,000,000 |
Annual odds based on U.S. incidents rates
|
