ISSN: 1945-7553
Page Count: 12

An Empirical Model for Predicting Performance of Fire-Resistive Coatings in Wood Construction

White, RH
Research Forest Products Technologist, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,WI

Abstract

Currently used fire-retardant coatings for wood products reduce flame spread; they are not designed specifically to provide fire resistance. Fire-resistive coatings designed for steel and foam plastics generally are not recommended for wood. However, these fire-resistive coatings have been tested for their ability to improve the fire resistance of plywood. We have developed an empirical model for predicting the fire-resistance performance of fire-resistive-coated wood based on these small nonload-bearing fire-resistance tests.

The equations in the model provide estimates for the times to reach either a temperature rise of 139°C or a temperature of 288°C. Using these equations, various applications for fire-resistive coatings in wood construction were examined. Applications considered include thermal barriers, walls, floors, large timber members, and doors.

Predictions using the model compared favorably with the very limited experimental data available in the literature. Additional research is needed before use of fire-resistive coatings in wood construction can be realized.

Keywords:
fire-resistive coatings, wood, fire endurance, fire resistance, plywood

Paper ID: JTE10327J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10327J
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