For homeowner customers who live in a fire zone, choosing a deck can’t just be about selecting a favorite style and color. They also need to choose fire-resistant decking that can help protect their home and family in the event of a wildfire.
It’s important to understand that no wood or composite decking is truly fireproof. However, there are fire-rated decking options with specific certifications that make them a better choice for homes in fire zones.
UNDERSTANDING RATINGS AND REQUIREMENTS
One way to choose is by looking at a material’s flame spread rating. A flame spread rating measures how fast and far a flame spreads over a certain material. Testing for flame spread rating involves burning materials under controlled conditions and measuring the speed and extent of flame spread. The resulting number is the flame spread index, which ranges from 0-200.
The best flame spread rating is Class A (with an index of 0-25). Lower classes, Class B (26-75) and Class C (76-200), indicate that flames spread more quickly and covered a greater distance over the material than Class A flame spread-rated materials.
Ratings for flame spread are incorporated into the model building codes as published by the International Code Council, including the International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), and the International Fire Code (IFC), to name a few.
Along with flame spread rating, you may have heard of WUI-compliance. WUI, which stands for “Wildlife Urban Interface,” designates areas that are within or adjacent to communities deemed “at-risk” for wildfires. WUI-compliant building products refer to those below a certain threshold for flame spread.
Some jurisdictions designated as Wildlife Urban Interface areas, especially in California, Colorado, and Nevada, require that certain building products meet the Class A Flame Spread Index rating.
However, it’s important to note that just because a product is WUI-compliant, does not mean it has a Class A Flame Spread Index rating — and vice versa. In order for a material to meet the standards for a Class A Flame Spread Rating and WUI compliance, it would need to undergo specific testing for each classification.
ARE COMPOSITE AND PVC DECKING FIRE-RESISTANT?
In comparison to wood, composite decking is often a better choice for fire-prone areas. Composite decking is made of a mixture of wood and plastic fibers, making it less susceptible to flame spread than many types of wood. But not all composite decking is created equal. Some types of composite decking have been specifically engineered to reduce flame spread, while others have not, meaning there’s a wide range of fire ratings among composite products.
PVC decking is made from 100% polymer (PVC) material and typically no wood fibers, making it a good fire-resistant decking choice for fire-prone areas. But just like composite, not all types of PVC decking are created equal. It requires specific, advanced engineering to create PVC decking that reduces flame spread enough to earn a Class A flame spread rating.
TimberTech offers multiple decking collections with Class A Flame Spread Rating or WUI-compliance. For peace of mind and a premium hardwood look in fire-prone areas, choose the TimberTech Advanced PVC decking Vintage Collection®. This collection features both a Class A flame spread rating and WUI compliance for one of the best decking materials in fire protection.
• Class A Flame Spread Rating
• WUI-Compliant
• Class A Flame Spread Rating
• WUI-Compliant
• WUI-Compliant
Reserve Collection (Fire-Resistant Reserve SKUs Only)
• WUI-Compliant
With WUI-Compliant and Class A Flame Spread Rating options from TimberTech, you can build a better deck for fire-prone areas. Explore different color and texture options across their Class A flame spread-rated and WUI-compliant PVC and composite decking lines to find the real wood look that suits you best.
This blog post was adapted from TimberTech content covering fire-resistant decking and flame spread. Weyerhaeuser Distribution is committed to delivering the reliable, consistent products you can rely on. Connect with your Weyerhaeuser representative today about outdoor living solutions available in your market.
