Class Action Suits Pending Over Fire-Free Roofing
Advisory Report - February 2001
Class Action Suits Pending Over Fire-Free Roofing
At least two class action lawsuits in California are pending against Re-Con, the manufacturer of FireFree® roofing products. Complaints allege that the FireFree® roofing products warp, cup, break, deteriorate and delaminate, often well in advance of the claimed 50-year warranty period.
FireFree® Plus PMFC (Polymer Modified Fiber Cement) roofing, which is rated a Class A fire-rated material, is made from a blend of cement, cellulose fiber and aggregate materials. The individual roof tiles are coated with a polymer resin that penetrates below the surface layer and encapsulates all six sides of the material.
The roofing shakes in question were manufactured between 1993 and 1997, and are now off the market. The two product lines of FireFree® Plus roofing -- Rustic Shake and Quarry Slate -- were produced in a limited variety of colors. The Rustic Shake line was molded to resemble rough-sawn or split cedar shake, and the Quarry Slate line was molded to resemble traditional slate roofing.
As with all cement-based products, FireFree® roofing products are subject to breakage due to the fact that the products cure longer than others. This results in a slightly stiffer product that is more capable of withstanding breakage usually associated with shipping, delivery and roof loading. However, the materials are more brittle, which presents breakage concerns during installation.
Because the tiles are tapered from the bottom edge to the top, they are more brittle at the top. Breakage may occur if walked on, even by experienced roofing specialists or contractors. Under common roofing conditions, this is not a problem as the top of the tile is covered by the next applied row. However, a problem can exist when the tiles are installed in a valley, which can leave the top edges and untreated cut edges exposed to the elements.
In order to positively identify problems, the tiles must be removed, and replacement or repair is rather difficult. The tile must be either broken from the roof or the fasteners must be cut with a long, bladed, metal-cutting saw.
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