Is Vinyl Siding Combustible

The original aluminum siding still in place on the dormer has been removed exposing the combustible asphalt impregnated low density fiberboard sheathing that is visible on the gable.

Is vinyl siding combustible. In each of the past four years the atlantic hurricane season has experienced above average activity. Facts about vinyl siding according to fire rescue. Fiber cement can withstand high heat from fires. Vinyl siding is plastic exterior siding for houses and small apartment buildings used for decoration and weatherproofing imitating wood clapboard board and batten or shakes and used instead of other materials such as aluminum or fiber cement siding it is an engineered product manufactured primarily from polyvinyl chloride pvc resin.

Other fires involving homes with vinyl siding have been more serious. Many homeowners looking for a fire resistant house siding may consider products such as vinyl which are technically non flammable as well. Plus vinyl siding is approved for use in all types of construct1 including ion non combustible rated structures up to 40 feet tall one hour fire rated assemblies wild fire zones and other fire resistive construction. Vinyl siding is more difficult than many other building materials to ignite because it is composed mainly of pvc which is inherently flame retardant due to its chlorine base.

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. Aluminum siding t 111 plywood and vinyl siding. Accordingly vinyl siding has been approved for use in all types of construction including non combustible construction. 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.

Pvc has one of the lowest flame spread. The difference though is how the product holds up to heat. A virginia fire in 2004 was described by the washington post this way. Vinyl is designed to resist water intrusion.

This house is about 20 feet away. Note the condition of its vinyl siding. In the uk and new zealand a similar material is known. A tiny flame from a candle touched papers that melted vinyl siding and set off a fire that raced unnoticed up three floors.