Full Answer
What is fire retardant treated wood?
FlameTech™ Fire Retardant Treated Wood is a pressure-impregnated, code-compliant, fire retardant treated wood product that is highly effective in reducing the spread of flames and smoke development caused by fire. Your structure deserves high-performance!
Is Dricon fire retardant treated wood?
Dricon ®. Whether you’re using plywood or lumber, Dricon ® Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) wood has an unmatched record of protection against flame spread, smoke development, rot and decay. Dricon ®, introduced in 1981, is a Class A fire retardant and preservative intended for wood used in interior, weather-protected construction.
How do I label fire retardant treated lumber and wood structural panels?
Fire-retardant-treated lumber and wood structural panels shall be labeled. The label shall contain the following items: The identification mark of an approved agency in accordance with Section 1703.5. Identification of treating manufacturer.
Can fire-retardant treated wood be exposed to rain?
For fire-retardant-treated wood exposed to weather, damp or wet locations, include the words “No increase in the listed classification when subjected to the Standard Rain Test (ASTM D2898)". Design values for untreated lumber and wood structural panels, as specified in Section 2303.1, shall be adjusted for fire-retardant treated wood.
What is FRT treatment?
FRT (fire retardant treated) Plywood. FRT plywood is a sheathing treated with a chemical to prevent flame spreading in the event of the fire. It was used on townhouses and condos roofs, 4 feet on each side (sometimes more) of the walls separating each individual unit in the late 1970's to early 1980's.
What is FRT lumber?
Whether you're using plywood or lumber, Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) wood has an unmatched record of protection against flame spread, smoke development, rot and decay. Dricon®, introduced in 1981, is a Class A fire retardant and preservative intended for wood used in interior, weather-protected construction.
Is FRT wood considered non combustible?
FRTW is not considered noncombustible, but can often be used in place of noncombustible materials. For instance, FRTW can be used in place of noncom- bustible materials in exterior walls of Type III and IV buildings, and in roof structures of low-rise buildings of Types I and II construction.
Is FRT lumber pressure treated?
Overview. Exterior Fire-X is pressure-impregnated fire-retardant lumber and plywood that provides tested fire protection for applications directly exposed to the weather or high humidity, outdoors as well as indoors.
How long does fire retardant last on wood?
While fire-retardant-treated lumber and plywood have been used successfully for nearly 50 years in structures exposed to temperatures less than 100°F (38°C), failures have occurred in buildings that used fire-retardant-treated plywood as roof sheathing.
Is Treated lumber fire retardant?
FIRE RETARDANT TREATED WOOD (FRTW) is designed to resist to flame spread & smoke development caused by fire and/or fire propagation. That is more or less what the building code calls for, but let's get real folks, it behooves each and everyone of us to learn how to evaluate products for ourselves.
What is the most fire retardant wood?
The species of Ironwood/hardwood is known as the wood with the highest level of heat resistance naturally. Azobe wood which is a type of ironwood has a higher ignition time so therefore it is known as the wood with the best heat resistance.
Where is fire retardant treated wood required?
Construction Types III, IV, and V may be framed exclusively with wood, but exterior walls in Types III and IV buildings are required to be fire retardant-treated wood (FRTW).
How do you fire proof lumber?
Fill a bucket with 2 quarts of water.Pour 1/2 cup zinc chloride and 1/4 cup ferric chloride into the water, together with 3 tbsp. each of boric acid and ammonium phosphate. ... Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Paint or spray two to three coats of the mixture onto your wood to protect it from fire.
What is the difference between pressure treated and fire retardant wood?
Pressure-Treated Plywood Can Be Fire-Retardant. Because fire-retardant plywood also undergoes a pressure treatment process, some people mistakenly believe that all pressure-treated plywood is inherently fire-retardant. Fire-retardant wood produces a noncombustible gas and water when exposed to a flame.
Is pressure treated wood the same as fire treated?
By comparison, fire retardant coatings only cover the surface of the wood. Many claim to "adhere" to the wood, however they fail over time to react the same as pressure treated retardants. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it takes in and releases moisture based the environment where it is used.
UL Critical Component Identification in Fire Resistance-rated Designs
Have you ever wondered why some items within UL Certification designs have asterisks* following an item’s description? Here's your answer.
Can fire retardant coatings be recognized as fire retardant treated wood?
The answer is No according to Code Interpretation 17-005 issued by the California State Fire Marshal.
Best Practice in Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood Code Enforcement
The job of a building code official carries more than its share of accountability. On the one hand, code officials are responsible for the life safety of the occupants of the buildings they inspect.
Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood Must be Impregnated with Chemicals
The 2018 International Building Code clarifies that fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW) manufactured without using the pressure process must be impregnated with chemicals.
UL Certifies Proprietary Design with Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood
UL recently tested and promulgated a listing for a new two-hour load bearing wood-frame wall assembly containing pressure impregnated fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW), a move that makes it quicker and easier for building officials to approve plans for Type III construction.
Pyro-Guard's Unique Listing Provides Cost Effective Alternative to Other 2-Hour Assemblies
FRTW is allowed by UL to be used in any listed wood-frame wall assembly. A recent test at UL has resulted in a unique listing for a 2-hour fire-resistance rated bearing wall assembly of Pyro-Guard fire-retardant-treated lumber and Pyro-Guard fire-retardant-treated plywood. This new listing, UL Design No.
Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood and the Minnesota Building Code
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has issued the following publication after recent concerns of non-code compliant fire-retardant-treated wood being used in local construction projects.
What is fire retardant wood used for?
Fire retardant wood is often used in roof construction and shingling, in particular, since those are vulnerable areas of any building. Fire retardant wood provides an extra layer of security against wild-fire, lightning strikes, and even stray neighborhood fireworks.
Why use fire retardant wood?
Adding fire retardant wood to high-traffic areas can help protect building integrity in an emergency, giving families more time to escape and firefighters a better chance to get the fire under control. Fire-retardant wood is also a good choice for TV and theater decorations, exhibition stands, and storage areas.
What is a retort chamber?
A retort chamber is used to create the necessary pressure. The untreated wood is loaded into the retort, which is then sealed. All the air inside the retort is removed, creating a vacuum into which the flame-retardant chemicals can be added.
What is fire x exterior?
Exterior Fire-X products are specifically designed and formulated with exterior use in mind. In addition to standard fire-retardant, their products are non-corrosive and are tested for moisture and heat endurance.
Why buy lumber from a wholesaler?
For most applications purchasing from a wholesale dealer not only helps to bring the price of the product down but also makes ordering for large projects and developments easier since wholesale dealers will have more of what you need in the quantities you need it.
Is fire retardant wood made of pressure?
However, almost all fire-retardant wood is made using a pressure system. A high-pressure system is critical to the process because the wood cannot be considered fire retardant unless it has been completely infused with the chemicals. ...
Is leech wood fire resistant?
Unfortunately, the process of making fire-resistant wood leech-proof is not the same, nor is it comparable to, preserved wood. Some products, like Exterior Fire-X Treated Lumber and Plywood, are tested for durability against moisture and high temperature, but the overall performance of the wood will be different from preserved wood without fire-retardant properties.
The Top Uses For Fire Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW)
If you’re interested in creating safer, more fire-resistant structures, fire retardant treated wood (FRTW) is a fantastic choice. At Metro Building Products, we have a long line of FRTW products. Learn more about FRTW and its benefits below!
What Is Fire Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW)?
Fire retardant treated wood is treated with a high-pressure chemical process. Untreated lumber is placed in a chemical bath under high pressure, allowing for the chemicals to soak deeply into the wood. This results in wood that’s impregnated with fire-resistant chemicals.
How Can I Use Fire Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW)?
Fire rated wood and fire treated lumber can be used in place of any other type of lumber. FRTW maintains the same strength and structural integrity as untreated products, while offering superior fire resistance.
Contact Metro Building Products Today To Learn More!
If you’re looking to use FRTW in your next building project, contact Metro Building Products right away! We have the best range of FRTW lumber in all of Marietta, Georgia – and we can give you all of the supplies you need for your next project.
What is fire retardant coating?
In addition to chemical impregnation by pressure-treating, there are also fire-retardant coatings that can be applied to the surface of wood products to reduce the surface flame-spread rating to less than 75 or 25. These coatings, are generally used for architectural woodwork applications where appearance is important.
What is FRTW rating?
FRTW as defined and specified in the NBCC must have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25. It therefore qualifies as an interior finish for any application since the most restrictive flame-spread rating is 25. FRTW must be identified by a label (Figure 1) from an independent testing laboratory or certification organization which indicates that the necessary tests were made and production controls maintained.