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Moving Towards A Fire Retardant Treatment Approach For Custom Exterior Siding

By Matthew Turner


Fire retardant wood treatment also called FRT is the process by which wood is impregnated with fire radiant chemicals. The FRT is known to be a protective treatment as it reduces the combustible nature of wood and thus minimizes the risk of a fire for custom exterior siding.

The FRT process uses the same process as the process used by chemical treated timber. The chemicals used in these processes, however, are highly different and ranges from the use of ammonium phosphates, boric acid, borax and nitrogen-phosphorous. These products used for FRT are difficult to light than normal wooden goods. It is because of this process that the spread of flames are retarded and the amount of smoke is reduced.

Most commonly used products nowadays include chemicals that are free of halogens, sulphates, ammonium, phosphate and formaldehyde. The reason for this formula usage is because these chemicals yield the best results when it comes to performance characteristics. These water-soluble substances are best at reducing spreading flames and they succeed in decreasing smoke developments.

The label found on any FRT produced product has the following information on it. The products name is established, the treating plant and drying method are identified. The label also makes note of the way the timber was treated during the anti-fire wood treatment process and the treating standard used. The flame speed when burning is also contained on the label. Lastly, the manufacturing agency is labelled and mentioned.

Ultimately one must never fall prey to the misconception that the fire retardant treatment prevents the wood from igniting or burning. Truth be told the rate of burning with FRT wooden products is approximately the same as the rate of burning for wooden products that were not tampered with. The only difference is with FRT products the initial ignition process is slowed down and the rate at which the flames spread across the surface area is significantly reduced.

FRT wooden products unlike products that have not undergone the process cannot be ripped. Furthermore, FRT products are lightweight and economical but it remains heavier and a tad bit pricier than its untreated counterparts. The increase in price is due to the actual process. The main benefit of the FRT process is to minimize the strength of the wooden product.

The main reason why FRT treated products actually work is because of the fact that when in contact with a flame these products release carbon char among other things. Carbon char is an insulator and as such slows down the rate of burning and decrease the spreading fire.

Most FRT processes entail substances that soak into the wooden products leaving them virtually unchanged in appearance and colour. However, this process makes the product unaffected by leeching and protected from wear and tear.




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