However... Cor-A-Vent is working on a new product that will provide some answers and we hope to have it ready to sell by early 2009, in time for next year's building season, and possibly for the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Stay tuned...
Providing a proper ventilation system for your roof in the state of California has long been a challenge, and continues to be so. Ever-changing building codes to address the "concern du jour" keep builders and designers on their toes in the Golden State. From earthquakes to wildfires, there always seems to be another natural disaster looming that will force building officials to create newer, stricter codes to combat the destructive forces of Mother Nature.
The wildfire issue is of much concern lately. Throughout the state, but in
particular Southern California, wildfires have burned millions of acres and destroyed thousands of buildings and homes. Of the myriad changes to fire codes in recent years, ventilation has been in the spotlight. Recent code changes in many cities and counties have required the removal of any intake ventilation from soffits and overhangs, the traditional location for these types of venting.Intake ventilation is integral in a proper roof ventilation system and many in California are looking for new answers. The University of California offers very helpful information on this issue on its website, including this bit of advice:
"In some new construction, soffit vents are often being eliminated. In those cases, the inlet vent function is being performed by through-roof vents located in the lower region of the roof..."
Cor-A-Vent offers just this solution with our IN-Vent product, designed to
provide intake ventilation when your soffits are inaccessible. IN-Vent will provide 10 sq. inches of Net Free Vent Area per lineal ft. and blend in with your shingles for an effective, yet unobtrusive solution for proper ventilation while meeting code requirements. Cor-A-Vent's V-300 8.5-inch and Fold-A-Vent 8.5-inch ridge vents are UL Class A rated ridge vents that will properly balance out a vent system using IN-Vent for intake.
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4 comments:
So, in a ridge vent situation, using fold-a-vent in california meets the 1/4" gap code per CBC 704A.2.1 ?
Technically, it does not meet that requirement, which specifically reads: "...shall be protected by corrosion resistant, non-combustible wire mesh with 1/4 inch (6mm) openings or its equivalent."
The Fold-A-Vent is neither non-combustible, nor made of wire mesh (it's polypropylene plastic). However, the openings are 1/8 inch and the FAV-20 8.5-inch model does have a UL Class A rating, so it would be up to your building inspector whether that classifies as "or its equivalent."
Any new information regarding whether the In-Vent system has received either UL Class-A rating (like Cor-A-Vent), or has received an approval from the California State Fire Marshall's office as a product conforming to the CBC-2007 WUI? The article hints that there might be new news in early 2009.
At this time, the answer is no news yet. We are currently preparing test criteria and hope to submit proof, one way or the other, that Cor-A-Vent products will satisfy the Fire Marshall's requirements. I promise to update this when we find our answers. - Steve
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