outdoor carpet on the roof

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

From and e-mail question:
Our condominium has covered our entire rooftop with outdoor carpeting. it was approved by the nyc dept of bldgs and the c/o was issued .

Naturally, we were reported by our grouchy neighbor for noise on the roof and low and behold, a bldg inspector cited us for having "combustible" material on the roof.

Is their any proof that outdoor carpeting material is in fact not "combustible"?

Lets face it, it may be flammable, but it cannot be any more combustible then the tar and roofing material and flashing lying beneath the carpet. If I can show some evidence of such then the violation may be dismissed...otherwise we'll have to remove many many square yards of material and expose the roof.

any help?

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Naturally, we were reported by our grouchy neighbor for noise on the roof and low and behold, a bldg inspector cited us for having "combustible" material on the roof.

The building inspector was quite right, unless ...

Is their any proof that outdoor carpeting material is in fact not "combustible"?

... unless at the time of installation there was sufficient and adequate documentation that the outdoor carpet met the combustibility limitation requirements for roofing.

How old is your condo? I would contact the NYC department of buildings and get a copy of whatever they used to show the roof was acceptable.

This is not one of those things in which one needs to prove it is not acceptable, one needs to prove that it *is* acceptable, or it will not be allowed.

That outdoor carpet is likely far more combustible than the roofing underneath it.

There are also additional things to consider when using a roof as a deck area: a) are there are least two means of egress down from the roof; b) are the means of egress suitable in size and opening requirements to be used as a means of egress (least one or more people are trapped on the roof during a fire); c) does the outdoor carpet truly off the protection required to protect the underlying roofing from damage from people walking on it;
d) is there a proper height, strength and limited opening size guard around the roof to help protect against people falling over the edge of the roof; e) there are many other things which should be asked about that installation, not the least of which is the fire-resistance of the outdoor carpet.