Fire Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW) products are permitted by code in certain situations where a fire resistance rating is required. Per the IBC the majority of buildings will fall into one of five different construction types, I, II, III, IV, or V depending on level of fire resistance of the building’s exterior structural frame.
Full Answer
What is the NFPA standard for fire retardant treated wood?
This standard provides criteria for defining and identifying fire retardant–treated wood and fire retardant–coated building materials. NFPA members and public sector officials may submit a question on an NFPA code or standard. Responses are provided by NFPA staff on an informal basis.
Is fire-X treated lumber fire retardant?
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. Fire retardant Wood is also specifically rated for interior or exterior use.
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.
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.
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).
When should I use fire retardant plywood?
Fire-rated plywood is often used in public building construction projects such as hospitals, schools, restaurants, and auditoriums for applications such as wall partitions, ceiling panels, and interior wall panels. It is a very lightweight material that is easy to transport and machine on site.
What is the purpose of applying a flame retardant treatment to an interior finish?
Flame retardant materials, usually in a liquid form, are applied by means of spraying, brushing or dipping. They are applied to a material to render it "difficult to ignite" and reduce the flammability.
What is the difference between pressure treated and fire retardant wood?
Pressure treating integrates the fire retardant deep into the cells of the wood, not just the surface. The combination of pressure and fire retardant treatments change the chemistry of the wood, so when it is heated, it gives off water and carbon dioxide which slows or stops the spread of flames.
Is fire-retardant treated wood combustible?
Fire-retardant plywood, also called fire-retardant-treated wood or FRTW, is plywood that is made less combustible through the application of fire-resistant chemicals. This means the plywood can better resist fire ignition and prevent the spread of fire if one were to develop.
Is all plywood fire treated?
All plywood tested exhibited a flame spread of 200 or less. A decrease in flame spread with increasing panel thickness was noted for thicknesses from 1/4 to 5/8 inch....Flame Spread and Smoke Generation.Flame Spread RatingsMaterialFlame Spread RatingFire-retardant treated softwood plywood25 or less6 more rows
Why does wood used in a high rise building needs to be treated with fire retardant?
Fire resistance of wood products increases the fire resistance time of the building. Building products are treated in such a way that, in the event of a fire, the processing will slow the burning of the material.
Where are fire retardants used?
Flame retardants are often added or applied to the following products. Furnishings, such as foam, upholstery, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and fabric blinds. Electronics and electrical devices, such as computers, laptops, phones, televisions, and household appliances, plus wires and cables.
Can lumber be both pressure treated and fire treated?
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.
What is fire treated wood used for?
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.
Does pressure treated lumber have a fire rating?
Q: Is "regular" pressure treated wood (CCA, ACQ, MCQ, etc) fire retardant or fire resistant? A: No. Standard pressure treated wood is generally intended for use in exterior applications or even in water.
What does FRT mean in lumber?
Fire Retardant TreatedWhether 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.
Fire-Retardant Wood Treatment
Fire-retardant wood treatment (FRT) is the process by which pressure impregnates wood with fire-retardant chemicals.
FRT Advantages and Disadvantages
FRT wood has advantages and disadvantages beyond fire performance characteristics, when compared to untreated wood. It can be cut, drilled, fastened, and overlayed (with carpet or plastic) in the same way as untreated wood, but it cannot be ripped or milled.
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.
What is fire safe construction?
Fire-safe construction is a major focus of the building and life safety codes, which mandate certain levels of fire protection. The building size, footprint, and its fire protection are typically determined in conjunction with the occupancy and type of construction allowed by the code. Types of construction distinguish between combustible or noncombustible construction and the degree of fire resistance of the primary structural framing material. This article has demonstrated that the codes recognize the use of fire-retardant-treated wood in lieu of noncombustible materials in many applications with specific advantage in Types I and II construction were materials are required to be noncombustible.
What is FRTW in NFPA?
This list includes structural elements that are constructed of fire-retardant treated-wood. FRTW can often be used in place of noncombustible materials, for instance, exterior walls of Type I, II, III and IV buildings, and in roof structures of Type II and low-rise buildings of Types I construction. NFPA 101 also recognizes that FRTW can be used for scenery and stage properties in both new and existing construction. Table 2 summarizes where FRTW is permitted to be used with or in lieu of noncombustible materials.
What is Chapter 7 of NFPA 5000?
Chapter 7 of NFPA 5000 and its extract NFPA 220, Standard on Types of Construction, describe five types of construction as summarized in Table 1. NFPA 101 refers to NFPA 220 for definitions. These types of construction
Does pressure impregnated wood reduce fire?
Pressure impregnated fire retardant treatments do not fumes are also greatly reduced, and when the heat source is removed, the wood ceases to decompose and the spread of fire by the wood is eliminated.
Is paint bad for wood?
Paints are not harmful to wood and do not penetrate it appreciably, hencethere is no reason to expect that they would have an adverse effect uponthe strength of the wood to which they are applied.
Is wood impregnated with water soluble chemicals?
On account of the water-soluble nature of the fire-retarding chemicals,neither impregnations nor coatings containing the water -soluble chemi-cals are well adapted to damp or wet conditions or to weather exposure, but,under similar exposures to moisture, wood impregnated with fire -retard-ing chemicals should retain its effectiveness somewhat longer than thepainted wood.
Standard for Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood and Fire-Retardant Coatings for Building Materials
This standard provides criteria for defining and identifying fire retardant–treated wood and fire retardant–coated building materials.
View this Document
NFPA members and public sector officials may submit a question on an NFPA code or standard. Responses are provided by NFPA staff on an informal basis.