Explore why pressure treated retardants offer better protection
When it comes to protecting wood against fire, infusing fire retardants into the wood fiber offers more durable protection than surface coatings. The advantages of pressure treating compared to surface coatings are detailed in the new FireSpec sheet Fire Retardant Treating vs. Coatings.
The one-page guide explains the benefits of infusing fire retardants into sawn lumber and plywood for protection, noting code requirements where paints, coatings and stains are not approved under the codes for fire protection. While some coating are promoted as the same as pressure treating, they can be damaged during construction or over time from moisture, handling or changes in the wood.
The FireSpec sheet provides guidance on identifying approved fire retardant wood, noting that color should not be the only indicator the wood has been pressure treated. The presence of a code-mandated quality mark is the best way to know the wood has the proper protection against fire.
Click here to review the FireSpec sheet.