Provide fire protection at the source! Protecting wood at a lumber mill level not only is a protection for the lumber mills themselves, but also for homebuilders. Applying fire retardants at the milling stage, prior to sale, provides an indefinite fire protection barrier.
Lumber Protection: How?
Lumber yards primarily protect wood from fire by using fire retardant chemicals, either through pressure treatment to impregnate the wood deeply, or by applying topical coatings like paints or sprays that create a barrier on the wood’s surface. GreenFire® Pro Defense is a food environment safe (NSF Listed) and mineral-based fire retardant concentrate. Used as a “fire hardening” measure, it can protect cellulose-based products and materials, such as lumber.
To protect your lumber, first make sure the wood is clean and dry before applying GreenFire® Pro Defense. Remove any dirt, dust, or debris that might interfere with the product’s effectiveness. GreenFire® Pro Defense comes in a liquid form and needs to be diluted with water before being applied. It can then be applied by using a sprayer, such as a backpack sprayer or universal wand sprayer. Evenly coat the surface of the wood to ensure complete coverage. Because GreenFire® Pro Defense is non-toxic, no special protective equipment, precautions, hazards, or extinguishing products are needed during application.
After applying GreenFire® Pro Defense, allow the treated wood to dry completely. Drying times may vary based on temperature, humidity, and wood type. Drying typically takes between 24 and 48 hours. Make sure there is adequate ventilation for proper drying.
Benefits of GreenFire® Pro Defense: Lumber Protection
GreenFire® Pro Defense will work to delay ignition and slow the spread of fire. However, it does not make wood completely fireproof. It increases the time it takes for the wood to catch on fire and helps reduce the spread of flames, offering protection to your lumber and eventually to any home or building.
For more than a decade, California has mandated special building codes for new homes built in high risk fire zones. They specify that roofs, siding and windows must be fire-resistant. Treating lumber with GreenFire® Pro Defense ensures that these fire safety standards are met. In some cases, using fire-retardant-treated wood can even lower insurance premiums, as it reduces the risk of fire damage to your property.
GreenFire® Pro Defense has a ASTM* E84/UL723 Flame Spread Index of 25, with a Smoke Developed Index of 160, giving it the best rating of A.
The 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code® both require interior wall and ceiling finishes to be classified according to ASTM E84 and NFPA 255, respectively, for Class A, B, or C.
*About ASTM E84: Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and UL723: Standard for Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
ASTM E84 measures the response of materials to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment. Materials that fall within the 25/50 indices pose an acceptable level of risk for most occupied building applications. Materials that rate in higher indices are often too great a risk to be left exposed to occupied spaces and are typically permissible only for outdoor or protected applications.
The ASTM E84 test results represent relative performance, not exact or absolute numbers. They refer to the performance of materials compared to three different calibration materials: cement board, Red Oak, and Heptane. The calibration materials are used to ensure equipment variables are calibrated appropriately and consistently, and to offer a comparative control for test materials.
GreenFire® Pro Defense offers a 10-year concealed construction material guarantee, giving lasting peace of mind. It offers effective protection against class A and class B fires. Invest today in lumber protection and homes!
Contact Fire Suppression Innovations for any additional questions about our products, application, or more about lumber protection.
