search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

The Russo Report: Vegetative Standard Gets ‘Green' Light

By Michael Russo
March 16, 2010
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently approved a key fire design standard for vegetative roofs developed by SPRI in cooperation with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC).

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently approved a key fire design standard for vegetative roofs developed by SPRI in cooperation with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC).

ANSI/SPRI VF-1 “External Fire Design Standard for Vegetative Roofs” was approved on Jan. 29 after a final round of revising and re-balloting earlier in the year. SPRI Technical Director Mike Ennis, who also chairs SPRI’s Codes & Standards Task force, worked for several years with task force members Dave Roodvoets and Kelly Luckett on the standard. This team also continues work on ANSI/SPRI RP-14, a wind standard for vegetative roofing systems.

At the same time, SPRI’s Sid Teachey is leading the development of a root penetration standard for vegetative roof systems. The second draft of GRHC-SPRI VR-1, “Procedure for Investigating Resistance to Root Penetration on Vegetative Roofs,” is currently being prepared for ANSI canvassing.

Because of the rapid growth of the green movement, it is critical that the roofing industry develop standards like these to guide contractors and specifiers in the design and installation of vegetative roofs.

The recently released ANSI/SPRI VF-1 standard includes fire-control designs to limit the spread of flame if a vegetative roof system were to catch fire. The standard uses barriers of non-vegetative zones to contain a potential fire.

The standard’s use is limited to roof slope designs up to 2 inches in 12 inches and specifies use of fire stop walls and fire break roof areas. Fire walls must be of non-combustible construction and extend above the roof surface a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm).

The fire break roof areas must consist of a Class A (per ASTM E108 or UL790) rated roof system that creates a minimum 6 feet (1.8 m) wide continuous border around the vegetative roof. Fire break roof areas must also be included where vegetative roof systems abut vertical surfaces, such as rooftop structures, equipment and roof penetrations.

Fire stops are also specified for spread of fire protection for large roof areas. Fire walls or fire breaks are used to partition large roof areas into sections not exceeding 15,625 square feet (1,450 m2), with each section having no unbroken linear dimension greater than 125 feet (39 m). Incorporating the border zones into expansion joints or roof area dividers are recommended wherever possible.

“This was truly an industry effort including manufacturers, green roofing professionals, testing organizations, contractors, design professionals and consultants,” said Mike Ennis, technical director for SPRI.

Share This Story

Michael Russo is a contributing writer to Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at mikerusso1983@zoominternet.net. 
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Damato of the Day

Guest Blog

Recent Comments

Justin Bieber’s purple hoodie is an iconic piece...

It's fascinating to see how virtual trade shows...

This update is a game-changer for flat...

This is a timely conversation for residential...

Safety is No1

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Agentes de ICE arrestaron a casi una docena de empleados de una empresa de techos en Lowell, Massachusetts. Los arrestos son parte de una redada federal más amplia contra la contratación no autorizada y las violaciones migratorias en Boston.

ICE Redondea a Equipo de Techos Afuera de Boston

Kingspan’s planned 100-acre roofing campus in Oklahoma is under consideration as the new location for asphalt shingle production.

Kingspan Flirts with Disrupting the U.S. Shingle Market

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing