Is Roofing Tar Paper Flammable

Today s single ply roofing involves the adhesion of an impervious roofing membrane by adhesives and solvents which are extremely flammable and some toxic.

Is roofing tar paper flammable.

Roofing felt can be ignited by a match flame. Depending upon use these products have the potential to expose workers to dangerous levels of toxic vapor fire and explosion during handling. Due to its manufacture with petroleum products roofing felt is flammable. Single ply roofing a sub specialty category routinely uses highly flammable and toxic materials adhesives and solvents during installation.

Since roofing felt is a flammable material it should be protected from sparks and smoking must be strictly prohibited. When stacked heat induced spontaneous combustion is readily possible with fresh roofing felt being at particular risk of spontaneous combustion. Once secured between the sub floor and the newly laid floor the material will be secure from open flames and will be no more of a fire threat than when used on the roof of a building. Historically the use of chemical products by roofing workers had been fairly limited to propane hot asphaltic tar or rubber and light gravel.

The ignition temperature is 365 c. Roofing felt is a layer of tar paper installed beneath the shingles to provide a backup waterproof membrane in case of leakage.