Combustible material only allowed on 20% of roof surface?

I was thinking to cover my roof (~600 sq ft) in teak wood tiles (the one’s that snap together). I was told that only 20% of the roof could be covered in a combustible material as per NYC building code. Does this apply to these ‘decorative floor coverings’ as well?They’re not really structural in nature, and can be removed in a few hours. If I can’t use the teak tiles, any other recommendations to cover a tar roof? The material has to be light as the roof can’t hold much weight. The system would need to be modular and removable, similar to the snap-together teak wood tiles.

ea3421

in Building Code 12 years and 10 months ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

boredatwork | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4891 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4848 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "2719"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "boredatwork"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BiaWeactc21lMA9OeuKVxu36Aie4Iz/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(17) "bored-at-work-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "nyc372@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/bored-at-work/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:39:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "bored at work"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(2719)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Here is the section from the building code: **1509.9 Miscellaneous combustible roof structures. **The following roof structures may be constructed of combustible material if less than 12 feet (1658 mm) high above the roof: antenna supports; flagpoles; clothes drying frames; duckboarding, decking or platforms that do not cover more than 20 percent of the contiguous roof area at that level. The fact that you can quickly remove the decking doesnt matter.  Its doubtful that you could remove it once its on fire.

ame_raleed | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4890 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4889 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "26649"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "ame_raleed"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B8Ia6r5fQEj48nZ8E7hnXAZF.tCNk8/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "ame_raleed"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "aedden@stantec.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/st-marks-arch/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:08:30"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "ame_raleed"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(26649)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is a code violation and a liability. The 20% clause is there to limit the potential for fire. If the deck were to catch on fire, the whole roof would be compromised.

ea3421 | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4886 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4892 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178596"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "ea3421"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzO6nCLgPjkMzRm5lmX1CrIC2ouZy9."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "ea3421"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "eabram1@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/ea3421/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:19:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "ea3421"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178596)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The roof is strong enough to hold guests and furniture, etc. I had this confirmed with a structural engineer. That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried about covering the roof with the snap-together teak tiles — will they violate some sort of NYC Code (DoB or Fire Code)? These are merely decorative snap-together tiles that can be removed in a whim. I obviously can’t file this with the DoB — there is nothing to file. They are decorative in nature. Am I violating any code — or is this a grey area?

dorkofwindsor | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4891 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4893 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176774"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bov.472kQmY8OGlKN.dDXa5nt5gnOG0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "dorkofwindsor@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/dorkofwindsor/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176774)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

“They’re not really structural in nature” – no they’re not, but you should not assume that the roof is designed to handle live loads for gathering purposes (i believe DOB calls them for “assembly” purposes). I’m not an expert but i think its at least a live load of 100psf, above what a typical flat roof is designed for.     I had a structural engineer see the removable decking on my roof and say guests and furniture were not designed for the roof load – it was actually the only thing about my house he was concerned with.       Having said that, its your liability for the safety of your guests.  Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean its safe.     http://www.aswgreen.com/amazing-pavers Also Check out Bison Pedestals http://www.bisonip.com/deckSupports.php  that will allow you to level your roof, but IIRC aren’t designed for less than 20psf directly on top of the roof material.