Asphalt roofing shingles sold in Canada may have various agency conformances shown in short form on the bundle packaging. Those most commonly found are described briefly below to help the customer understand their meaning and assist him in purchasing the product best suited to his needs. More information can be obtained by contacting the manufacturers directly.
CSA A123.5: Asphalt Shingles Made with Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules is the Canadian Standards Association standard referencing for glass fibre mat shingles used in Canada. Compliance is ensured by the manufacturer.
ASTM D3462: Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules. This ASTM standard is very similar to the CSA A123.5 standard referenced above.
ULC S-107: Fire Tests of Roof Coverings is an Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada test method. Shingles labelled ULC-S107 have been tested to establish their degree of fire resistance and will typically have a "Class A" (the highest) rating. Class A is suitable for residential and most commercial roof covers, and may be required on public use buildings such as hospitals and schools.
ASTM E108: Fire Tests of Roof Systems test method is essentially identical to the ULC-S107 test method. Typically, the E108 tests are performed by qualified third party test laboratories, who also perform periodic in-plant manufacturing audits.
ASTM D3161: Wind Resistance of Steep Slope Roofing Products (Fan-Induced Method). Shingles bearing this designation have been tested at wind speeds of 60 mph (Class A), 90 mph (Class D), or 110 mph (Class F). It should be noted that these tests are carried out on fully sealed shingles, in a carefully controlled laboratory environment. In actual service, there are many variables which affect roof system wind resistance, such as roof design, shingle application procedures, gust effects, temperature, age of the roof, etc.
ASTM D7158: Wind Resistance of Asphalt Shingles (Uplift Force/Uplift Resistance Method). Shingles bearing this designation have been tested at wind speeds of 90 mph (Class D), 120 mph (Class G), or 150 mph (Class H). This test is an alternative method to D3161 referenced above. As with the other wind test, it is conducted in a carefully controlled laboratory environment and does not represent all the naturally occurring elements that shingles face in actual roof-top service.
It is important for anyone who plans to use or purchase asphalt shingles to ensure that the materials meet the desired standard. The fact that a product is advertised locally is not a guarantee that it satisfies an appropriate Canadian standard.
The information contained in this bulletin is for general education and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified contractor or direction on usage/installation from the manufacturer. Consumers should be aware of the safety hazards associated with work on roofs and, before doing so themselves, should consider following CASMA s advice of using qualified contractors. This bulletin may be reproduced with permission on condition that it be reproduced in whole, unedited, with attribution of copyright to CASMA.
CANADIAN ASPHALT SHINGLE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (CASMA) is a corporation which was created on July 24, 1989 pursuant to the Canadian Corporation Act and continued under section 211 of the Canadian "not-for-profit" Corporation Act on October 12, 2012.
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