b'CLASS A ROOFSWHATADEFENSIBLEDESIGNANDand a wildfire mitigation specialist withof the Roofing Contractors Association of CONSTRUCTION PROCESS LOOKS LIKE the NFPA. He specializes in high-perfor- British Columbia Technical Committee.AdefensibleapproachtoClassAmanceenclosuredesignwithafocusonGraham Finch (M.A.Sc, P.Eng) is a compliancedoesnotrequirebespokewildfire resistance. principal and senior specialist with RDH fire engineering on every project, but itJames Bourget (ABET, RRO, CPHT)Building Science specializing in building doesrequirecoordinationthroughtheis a principal and construction specialistenclosuredesign,riskmanagement, prime consultant, which includes: with RDH Building Science with over 40 1) Determining if a Class A roofyears of industry experience, specializing inresearch, forensic roof investigation of newcovering is required / preferred; complex roof renewal and replacement proj- andexistingbuildings,andthedevelop-2) Identifying a specific listed orects, and serving as a multi-term memberment of industry best practice guidelines. tested Class A assemblyduring design;3) Clearly defining substitution rules and responsibility inthe specifications;4)Reviewing constructabilityand availability beforeconstruction begins;5) Treating changes as technicaldecisions, not administrative substitutions; and6) Engaging the AHJ early whendeviations are unavoidable.RECAPClass A roofingremains animportant fire-performancebenchmarkinBritish Columbia,particularlyaswildfirerisk becomesamoreprominentbuilding enclosure and roofing design consider-ation. As its use expands into less-stan-dardized roofing contexts, the potential for misunderstanding increases.The central message is simple: Class A is an assembly rating, not a product rating.Itappliesonlywhentheroof is constructed as tested and listed, and itonlyaddressesexteriorfireperfor-mance. Most Class A issues arise from gapsincoordination,notfromthe standards themselves.For roofing contractors, early clarity aroundassemblies,substitutionsandDedicated to Excellence In Roofingresponsibility is essential. When designFor over 60 years, Alpha Roofing has provided expertintent,specificationsandconstructionprofessional roofing services to our commercial andare aligned, Class A becomes a manage- residential customers in Kamloops, Victoria and Vancouver.ablerequirementthatsupportssafer, moreresilientbuildings,ratherthanaWe specialize in conventional flat, steep sloped roofing, single ply late-stage complication. membranes, architectural metal roofing and wall cladding systems.AUTHORS 250.374.0181 Robin Urquhart (M.B.Sc., P.L.Eng, RSE,www.alpharoofing.caCWMS) is a senior consultant with RDH BuildingScience,aRedSealcarpenter www.rcabc.orgl21'