Considerations When Looking at Vegetated Roof Assemblies (8-12-2024)

When considering vegetated roof assemblies, it is important to understand fire characteristics and the building code.

Intensive Garden Roofs® that are regularly irrigated are generally considered to be resistant to flying sparks and radiant heat. Extensive roofs, which may not be irrigated, are typically accepted as fire resistant under the following conditions:

– The growing media is at least two (2) inches deep and contains no more than 20% by weight organic matter

– There are gravel or concrete breaks in the vegetation every 100 feet with a minimum width of 4 feet

– There are vegetation free zones at all roof penetrations and at the perimeter walls with openings

– The vegetation free zones are kept free of flammable vegetation

American Hydrotech maintains a UL Class A fire listing for roofs using Monolithic Membrane 6125®.  Underwriter Laboratories (UL) has determined that the Garden Roof® Assembly “surfacing would have no deleterious effects upon the fire-resistant properties of the system.”

Want to know more?   Contact THOMCO and we can assist you through these and other code questions related to vegetated roof assemblies.

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