FRTW is hot

tllllE USE of fire reardant treared I wood (FRTW) is alive, well and growing, especially in non-combustible, non-residential buildings. In fact, in many such applications, there is simply no practical substitute for FRTW, creating new oppornrnities for contractor yards to add a profitable specialty product.

Hospitals, schools, office buildings, retail stores and other types of non-residential construction are all utilizing more FRT lumber and plywood. Often the contractor is from out of tow& so he wants fast service and one-source shopping more than rock-bosom pnces.

FRT lumber is commonly used to block-in exlerior window openings to provide a base fo attachment of win-

Story at a Glance

Fire retardant treated lumber and plywood's growing use creates sales opportunitles

FRTW uses, requirements.

By Ray Guy Maketing Representative Hoover Treated Wood hoducts. Inc.

dow units or as blocking between st€el studs tro support wall-hung fixtures. Other uses include performing stages and raised platforms over concrete flocs. Typically, FRT jois6 are used with FRT plywood subflooring for tile or carpet.

Warehouses, superstores and ligbt industrial buildings often utilize IRT plywood as protective wall cladding to resist damage from carts or material handling. These are usually onehour fre rated gypsum walls. A plywood outer layer protects the gypsum from impact, puncnrres or other danage that might affect its fire resistance.

FRT plywood is also used ex0ensively for roof sheathing on schools, nursing homes and multi-fanily residential structures, as well as for "phone backs" or elecrical equipment panels for mounting phone or electrical control cent€rs.

Basic on-the-job cutting of FRTW is allowed. Plywood can be cut in any direction. Lumber can be cut to length without resricdon, though ripping or resurfacing is not permitted since altering its surface could rcduce the effectiveness of the treamenl

FRTW is not a frue non-combustible per ASTM E-136. Only concrete, steel, fire-rated gypsun, etc., can pass this test. FRTW qualifies as a "slow burning" product. It doesn't support combustion or contribute a fuel loa( although it can get burned away if exposed tro an intense ffue.

What treatment does is greatly reduce the wood's fate of beat release. In U.S. Forest Products Laboratory testing, untreated wood reached flash-

Abouttheauthor

A native of Hoover's hometown of Thomson, Go., Ray Guy atendcd the University oJ Sonthcrn Mississippi, lzttering allfour years in football and baseball and leading the nation in punting. Selectedfint in the 1973 NFL drS by thc Raidcrs, he played in 207 consecutive games over 14 seasons, seven straight Pro Bowls and three Super Bowlwins.

He and his family moved back to TTomson in 1990, and lu joined Hoover in Iu$ 1993.

USES for FRTW indude (above)wall blocking wilh $eel sluds tor hanoino of fixlures sud as vanilies, cabinets and iotinters, and (below) for couflroom iudoe's bench includino FRT joists and FRT plywood undedayment. - over in six minutes. FRTW never reached flashover in the test, with a heat release rate about ll7 that of unEeated.

All model codes define FRTW in similar t€rms. It must be pressure inpregnated and have a flamespread of 25 or less per ASTM E-84 (30 minute duration) and strength testing after extended exposure to elevated temperatures. It must show non-hygroscopicity and non-corrosiveness per ASTM D-3201. And each piece of FRT lumber and plywood must be stan@ with the third party mark of an agency such as Underwriters Laboratories certifying the flamespread rating.

FRTW does not qury an hourly rating. The ASTM-84 "Tunnel Tesf' measures the distance the flame spreads across a freated surface compared to that of untreated red oak. FRT'Ws flmrespread must be 25Vo sr less of oak's. FRTW is the only mato rial subjected to ASTM E-84 for 30 minutes. Fire retardant surface coatings and other building materials arc tested for just 10 minutes.

Hoover Treated lVood Products is a major producer ofJire retardant treakd Innber and plywood with treating plaats in Georgi4 Arlunsas od Virginia, od a supplier of fire retardant formulatiorc to licensees in the northem andwestem U.S. ond Caruda" - Editor.