The “burning brand” test uses the three different test modules to determine the classification.
resistance to fire from the outside. In my career I have seen brands flying through the air that can meet any of these size comparisons.
For additional information on this concept see: youtube.com/watch?v=HII6Tahfj8M
But, what about that other classification of a Class 1 roof?
A Class 1 roof is a deck assembly that must not only resist fire from an external source, but from an internal source as well. In addition it must address issues of wind uplift resistance, foot traffic on its surface, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and susceptibility to heat exposure.
What this boils down to is that a Class 1 can be substituted on a building for a Class A, Class B, or a Class C. But, a Class A, B or C cannot be substituted for a Class 1.
For additional information on this concept see: rci-online.org/interface/2006-02-blum.pdf
Summary So, in the final analysis, a roof is a roof, is a roof. Or at least that is what Gertrude Stein might say. But you as a fire prevention professional will know that they aren't all the same. Some are better at resisting external forces. Others are better at resisting internal forces. And lastly, every one of them has a place in the panoply of options for builders and developers to use. The next step in your conquering the differences
is to note that all of them MUST be installed as they are tested if they are going to do the job. And, lastly, they will all perform differently in the real world during a fire. This is not a new body of knowledge. As early as the rebuilding of London in the aftermath of the great London fire September 2, 1666, there was concern over roof construction.
The battle to prevent roofs from being a bigger part of the problem is far from over. See: luminarium.org/encyclopedia/greatfire. htm and iafss.org/publications/ frn/369/-1/view.
REFERENCES: 1. Schofield, John. The Build
ing of London: From the Conquest to the Great Fire. British Museum. London 1984.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronny J. Coleman is currently the president of Fireforceone. He is a past president of the IAFC and CFAI. Over his lifetime, he has received numerous awards including the AFSA's 1989 Henry S. Parmelee Award, the 2011 Mason Lankford Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, and the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award from Fire Engineering in 2014. He continues as a contributor to the fire service in many ways.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This six-part series will be continued in future issues of Sprinkler Age. Part 1 and Part 2 appeared in the April 2015 and June 2015 issues, respectively.
