Coming soon

The compliant materials directory

Materials that pass ASTM E136, listed with what they are actually tested to

Why a directory at all

The adopted Zone 0 regulation turns on one word: noncombustible, defined as passing ASTM E136. That is a material-level furnace test, and it is unambiguous. What is ambiguous is the marketing. Products get sold as "fire-rated," "Class A" or "fire-safe," and those phrases describe different tests, or no test at all. A homeowner comparing two fence quotes has no practical way to tell which materials would satisfy the rule.

So the directory has a narrow job: list materials by category, state the standard each is tested to, and state what it is not tested to. Nothing in it will claim an assembly is certified, because no fence-assembly fire test exists in US code.

What passes, in the meantime

You do not need a directory to know the categories. Under ASTM E136, these pass:

The full explanation, including why vinyl surprises people and why a Class A rating is not the same thing, is in the materials guide. And remember that the whole assembly counts: a metal panel on a wood post does not satisfy the intent. See the anatomy of a compliant span.

How listings will be worded

Each entry will carry the product category, the base material, the standard and result (for example, "base material passes ASTM E136"), the report reference where the manufacturer provides one, and an explicit limitations line. Where a manufacturer holds only an ASTM E84 result, the listing will say so and note that E84 is a tunnel test designed for interior finishes rather than a wildfire standard.

Make or distribute noncombustible materials? Apply to be listed.