Fire retardant wooden cedar shingles

[Don Jackson]

Is there a way to tell if wooden shingles are fire retardant? Are they "stamped" with something that indicates it?

[J Moore]

"Fire retardant shakes and shingles are coded by a three letter rating system. This system is based on laboratory tests of exposing the shakes and shingles to fire. The amount of breaking, cracking, or ability to protect the decking and underlayment of the roof determine the rating levels. A shingle material that withstands severe fire exposure is known as a class 'a' rating. Moderate fire resistance is coded as a class 'b' rating. The ability to hold-up to a light fire qualifies as a class 'c' rating. Special retardant treatments are required for wooden shingles. The shingles can be treated either before or after installation. Due to the flammability of untreated wooden shingles, some states are restricting their use. The rating should be displayed on the shingle packaging. And remember, fire retardant doesn't mean fire resistant. These ratings are based only on the ability to slow the fire and possible damage to your property. Contact a roofing specialist for more information on fire retardant shakes and shingles."

Found this info on internet. Appears only notaton is on packaging


Jeff

[Frank Suchodolski]

Most of the time you can find labels in the attic if it has been re-roofed. Most roofers would leave at least one bundle of material to Identify it or replace the occasional damage. If there are no labels to be found, the only way to really know is....well, got a match? No don't throw it on the roof, but testing would be the only way to tell. Visually, once they have weathered the appear the same. New they are generally a little darker in colour.
Labeling, if they are fire-retardant they will have two labels, one to tell you what grade and what mill they are from, and the other to tell you what fire rating A, B or C and where they were treated.

Here is a link to the Cedar Bureau, Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (http://www.cedarbureau.org/index.htm), for more info.