ls the firc rctadant trcated woo(

A Manufacturcr says . .

"sooner or later dealers are going to have to be in the fire retardant treated wood (FRTW) business to survive," says

Robert H. Thnner, director

of marketing' Hoover Tieated Wood Products, Thomson, Ga. "Even now there are many different applications such as multi-family homes and commercial buildings which require FRTW as an economical way to meet building code requirements or obtain fire insurance savings."

"With the decline in the home building market," he adds, "the building material dealer needs to pursue non-residential, commercial buildings which typically use non-combustible building products, but can use FRTW."

"Dealers are going to have to get over their fear of FRTW and learn the product, its characteristics and the market," he continues. "Since FRTW is a technically oriented product, the dealer can't be just an order taker. He must know what it is all about. The dealer who starts today to master the subject and sell the existing market will be head and shoulders above the competition in the future," Thnner emphasizes.

trarning the specifications for the different types of FRTW and pursuing the present growing market will build a reputation for a dealer as well as a head start on other lumber suppliers, according to Thnner. "The dealer who can say 'I've got it' will have immediatebusiness. Since contractors find it easy to continue to go to the same source, he will have reoeat business, too."

Story at a Glance

Are the "mysteries" of firc retar' dant wood worth solving for both dealers and wholesalers? . . . product factors such as flame spread requirements, drying standads and Possible uses how to take Part in this growing wood market.

Briefly, all lumber and plywood designated to be exterior fire retardant treated must have a 25 or less flame spread when tested in accordance with ASTM E-84 Standard Method ofTesting for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and must have no evidence of significant progressive combustion when the test duration is extended from the standard duration of 10 minutes to 20 minutes.

There also must be no increase in listed flame spread classification when the FRTW is subjected to ASTM D2898 Standard Method of Accelerated Weathering of Fire Retardant Tieated Wood For Fire Testing.

All lumber and plywood designated to be interior fire retardant treated must meet the requirements of 25 or less flame spread in the extended 30 minute test and should be the new generation state-of-the-art non-hygroscopic type. meaning that it has a corrosion rate similar to untreated wood. Thnner notes. This means that this kind of FRTW may be used in interior applications where relative humidities reach as high as 95%.

In addition to being aware of these ratings and values. a dealer must be alert for the proper quality stamps on each piece of FRTW. The Underwriters Laboratories. Inc.'s (UL) symbol or a performance identification label is the fire performance label that identifies FRTW as produced and inspected to meet building codes. insurance regulations and government standards. The UL quality mark shows both a 25 or less flame spread and kiln drying after treatment. indicating that it has been dried to the proper moisrure content after treating.

These marks guarantee that the wood will do what it is supposed to do and meet applicable building codes and regulations. The dealer must be aware of the ratings and values. Thnner points out.

In addition to the safety factor. there are insurance rate advantages to using FRTW. Tanner estimates a three to five year payback for most structures such as commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings.

Retailerssay...

Fire retardant treated wood is a market with a "potentid for a lot of growth" in the opinion of a group of lumber buyers and purchasing agens contacted in a random survey of southern dealers by Building Producs Digest.

Ken Moore. vice president. merchandising. structural producs. for the [,owe's chain. North Wilkesboro. N.C.. reflected the response of most buyers when he labeled FRTW a "rapidly growing industry." He explained that FRTW will offer good growth opporn-rnity as more consumen become aware of the product. although at pres€nt only multifamily construction builders are using it to meet code requirements. He sees more and more architectural and commercial specifications calling for fire retardant wood.

Ronnie Rushing. general manager and purchasing agent at Hootsell Lumber and Supply Co.. Natchez. Ms.. special orders FRTW "five or six times a year for commercial sruff."

Gene McKinney. !:p.. purchasing and sales. Tindell Builden Supply. Knoxville. Tn.. sells "a linle bit every once in a while" to commercial or multi-family builders.

Bill Zimmerman. purchasing agent at Magbee Brothers Lumber and SuPPIY Co.. Duluth. Ga.. says that they "sell rery linle at present." adding that in his previous position in lllinois. he saw sales increase with stricter enforcement of commercial building codes.

Frank Nelson. merchandise manager. lumber department. Mr. How Warehouse. Margate. Fl.. has no requests for FRTW from their d-i-y' clientele. but considers the product "important to those dealers with commercial contractor customers. "

Carol Howard. purchasing. Hurst Lumber Co.. Hunt, Tx.. special orders FRTW when they need it for a customer. She doesn't s€e any potential for "increased sales at this time."

Customer mix and local building codes have an effect on the sale of FRTW, but the opportuniry for market growth is there.