All You Need To Know About Fire Retardant Plywood
If you’re building a home or a commercial property, consider using Sonear fire-retardant plywood in your construction project. Also known as fire-resistant plywood, this type can significantly reduce a fire outbreak and damage. Read on to learn everything you need about fire retardant plywood.
Fire Resistant Plywood – What Is it?
It is a wood product carefully impregnated using fire-retardant chemicals, which further lowers the burning characteristics of the plywood, such as:
- Spread of the flame
- Fuel contribution rate
- Smoke density
Fire-resistant plywood lowers the chances of a fire breakout by acting like a barrier to the flame spread inside the home or commercial property. Furthermore, the chemicals used on fire-retardant plywood make it difficult to oxidize, making it hard to burn. So, when on fire, the plywood only chars but doesn’t burn, lowering the fire’s progression.
Moreover, fire-resistant plywood is also an excellent choice for combating harsh weather elements like heat and moisture.
How Is it Manufactured?
During the veneering process, the plywood is treated with fire-resistant chemicals meeting the IS 303 BWR grade standards. It is first cleaned to ensure it is free from oil and dirt. After that, the untreated wood is gently placed in a vacuumed retort chamber, where fire-resistant chemicals are then introduced to the wood. The chamber is depressurized while the wood is kiln-dried to the right moisture content- of not more than 15%.
The plywood sheet goes through two mechanisms to become fire resistant. The first is to reduce its flammability by lowering the speed at which the flames spread and slowing down the combustion rate. The second mechanism is to alter the vapors released from the combustible process, which makes it less volatile.
It’s important to understand that when the fire-resistant plywood panels are impregnated, they don’t get the top coat which often burns off. Hence, the plywood becomes protected permanently.
Furthermore, in the event of a fire, the plywood releases water vapor and non-combustible gas, which ensures that only a layer of char forms on it while the flame dies out.
Uses of Fire Retardant Plywood
Fire retardant plywood is becoming a popular choice for residential and commercial applications. These panels are infused into the following for fire resistance and protection:
- Stairwells
- Decks
- Soffits, Fascia, and siding
- Roof panels
- Trusses
- Beams
- Interior load-bearing and non-load-bearing partitions
- Sidewall sheath
Fire retardant plywood is best for practically all exterior & interior applications.
Installing fire retardant plywood in your homes and offices can prevent the risk of a major fire outbreak and serious physical and property damage. As they delay flame penetration, it gives ample time to evacuate the site and put it down easily- preventing the fire from destroying precious belongings and properties. Get in touch with Sonear for flame-retardant plywood.
