Is Vinyl Siding A Fire Hazard

Fire safety characteristics of vinyl siding.

Is vinyl siding a fire hazard.

In addition vinyl siding is allowed. Siding with safety understanding the fire performance benefits of vinyl siding vinyl siding manufacturers are committed to keeping you safe by offering products with a low fire risk. Aluminum siding t 111 plywood and vinyl siding. So far the most studied danger of vinyl siding comes when it is burned as in a house fire.

Vinyl also known as pvc or polyvinyl chloride starts with two simple building blocks. The national fire protection association does not cite any exterior wall coverings including vinyl siding brick and stucco as the cause of residential fires. As vinyl siding ages it continues to release low levels of the same harmful chemicals that were produced during the manufacturing process. The national fire protection association s national electrical code recognizes the strong fire safe characteristics of vinyl through its approved use as a residential wiring insulator.

Ibc table 602 and ibc 705 5 place certain fire resistive ratings on walls depending on the occupancy type and size of building based on astm e119 tests. Vinyl also known as polyvinyl chloride pvc is created using two simple building blocks. Fiber cement can withstand high heat from fires. As pvc burns the chlorine in the material escapes creating an acid smoke that contains hydrogen chloride.

Nonetheless the evidence of the danger of vinyl siding and synthetic insulation is compelling. Chlorine 57 from common salt and ethylene 43 from natural. Vinyl siding is a part of many ul rated e119 assemblies. However if your house catches fire the siding will release high levels of lethal chemical vapors.

Studies are inconclusive as to whether applying vinyl siding to homes causes health problems for residents. One homeowner s vinyl siding dimpled then blistered and warped into waves. A report published by fire engineering pointed to a national institute of standards and technology nist study by dan madryzkowski which compared the combustibility of three siding materials. An alternative to vinyl siding fiber cement a mixture of cement sand and wood fibers manages to achieve very high fire resistance without sacrificing convenience and durability many fiber cement products carry a class a fire rating meaning that they can withstand several hours of heat before melting down.

This in part explains why most vinyl siding can meet the stringent flame requirements for fire safety required by the international building code which is adopted by every state. In addition some vinyl siding is allowed to be used on astm e119 fire rated assemblies because it does not contribute to the growth of the fire. Chlorine from common salt and ethylene from natural gas.