Best Quality Fire Rated Plywood that Diminish Smoke and Flame Spread to Save Lives and Property

Plywood is similar to solid wood with comparable density and thickness and in its behaviour towards fires. Fire retardant characteristics of plywood are integral in preventing the propagation of fire at the initial stage. For certain use cases, such as in marine constructions and railway coach construction, the use of fire treated plywood is desirable.

Chemicals that enhance fire resistant properties of the wood are introduced at the veneer stage itself. However, in some impregnation methods, fire resistant properties are introduced in the plywood after its manufacturing. Some fire retardant chemicals may require special paints. FRT plywood is widely used as roof sheathing in multifamily dwellings as party-separation walls. The use of FRT plywood as a substitute for parapet walls has also increased.

Types of retardant formulations

Most plywood is treated with Type A or Type B interior-type fire retardant formulations. These two treatments are categorized by their hygroscopicity which is a measure of the tendency of the material to absorb moisture from the air, as measured by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Type A fire rated (FRT) plywood is intended for use in environments where the relative humidity is less than 95 percent when the wood is not exposed to elements. Type B FRT plywood is intended for use in areas where relative humidity generally does not exceed 75 percent.

FRT wood and building codes

Fire retardant chemicals are used in wood products for the construction of interior panelling, scaffolding and military buildings. The treatment for wood shakes and shingles is a more recent application. Certain building codes allow for the use of FRT lumbar as an alternative to non-combustible materials for walls and partitions. Some codes also allow for the use of FRT wood for roof sheathing and roof structural framing in certain types of building constructions. All codes allow FRT plywood in roofs of buildings where wood construction is permitted. A combination of chemicals that buffer the treating solution and encapsulate the fire retardant chemical can alter the pH and acidic strength of the treating solution while retaining the effectiveness of the fire retardant chemical.

Standards for comparing FRT ratings

All FRT rated plywood and boards should bear an identification mark indicating the flame spread identification. To be classified as a fire rated board or fire rated plywood, the wood product should have a flame spread index of 25 or less when impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process. The flame spread and smoke index for non-combustible ceramic fibreboard is 0. It is 100 for solid red oak panels. These two indexes are used for comparing FRT ratings of other wood products.

Exterior fire retardant treatment is undergone for fire rated board after it is subjected to an accelerated weathering test. Exterior FRT plywood is used in environments where a relative humidity of 95 percent or more is expected or where high resistance to the leaching effects of moisture is desired.

Adding to the look and longevity

Plywood increases the aesthetic and longevity of your furniture, structural elements and other woodwork projects. Ventilation is essential in all constructions to minimize excess relative humidity and to prevent moisture build up. Good ventilation helps control the moisture content of roof systems as moisture cannot be flushed out of a roof plenum in the absence of proper air movement.

Fire rated plywood offers resistance to ignition, surface spread of flames and flame penetration. Low flammability of fire rated board significantly reduces the damage due to fire in your office and home. Fire resistant boards and fire resistant plywood are specially treated to generate low amount of smoke in the event of a fire, thus cutting down the emission of toxic gases like carbon dioxide.

Best quality FRT wood for commercial and residential uses

Fire rated board and fire rated plywood from reputed brands such as Matilda Veneer are designed to delay the spread of fire on the material by 30 minutes. They stay composed in structure even if the board or plywood is entirely burnt down. It will take 45 minutes or more for the flames to penetrate through the fire rated plywood and fire rated board so the building occupants will have enough time to run for safety before the plywood walls disintegrate. FRT wood by Matilda Veneer is lightweight and economical and can be easily cut and sized on site, and also nailed, refinished and easily transported. These can be used as a substitute for a parapet wall between attached multi-family units, and institutional buildings such as nursing homes and schools, where entire roof assemblies may be constructed using high-quality fire retardant plywood and fire retardant board by Matilda Veneer.

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Created on Mar 29th 2021 22:39. Viewed 377 times.

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