HOT. HOT. HOT. FRTW DRAWS MORE INTEREST

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BY DAVID KOENIG

EVOLVING DEMAND in construction and new regional building code requirements are stoking interest in fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW).

“There is increased interest in FRTW as specifiers realize and take advantage of both the economic and environmental advantages that FRTW has over other building materials used for code-compliant applications in noncombustible types of construction in the building and fire codes,” notes Hoover Treated Wood Products’ Dave Bueche.

“I believe, with interest rates as high as they are, people are staying in rentals vs. buying or building a single-family home,” offers Todd Schoffstoll, western regional manager for D-Blaze preservative manufacturer Viance. “To meet the demand for rentals there is a lot of multifamily construction occurring at this time, and that type of construction can use a significant amount of FRTW. Single-family homes typically don’t use any FRTW.

“I also think some of the uptick is a result of FRTW being specified more and more as engineers and architects are becoming more knowledgeable about the benefits of FRTW and more codes are requiring it.”

Darren Richardson, VP of sales & business development, United Treating & Distribution, Muscle Shoals,

Al., is seeing the same phenomenon in his region of the country. “The uptick is due to more areas in the Southeast are starting to require FRT in multifamily and commercial projects,” he agrees.

T2Earth, Augusta, Ga.—a joint venture of southern pine producer Pollard Lumber Co., Appling, Ga., and sales/marketing partner International Forest Products, Foxborough, Ma.—just introduced OnWood 1.0, Class A fire-retardant-treated southern yellow pine. Co-founder and CEO Joel Kier described the product as “the first dimensional lumber confirmation of our vision to change the paradigm of treated forestry products. Our innovations will accelerate the world into a sustainably built environment by delivering a treated wood that is unmatched (pun intended) as the highest performing, compellingly priced, eco-friendly wood solution usable across key construction and infrastructure applications.”

The conversation over fire-resistant wood products has been growing for a very long time, according to Watkins Sawmills’ Bill Hendricks. “I have spent 40+ years in the industry,” he says. “I have seen a lot of changes, but being a fire protection officer is my passion. Unfortunately, climate change, drought and wildfires are increasing, but wood is sustainable and renewable. FRTW protects property and saves lives.”

As Watkins Sawmills’ technical field rep, Hendricks spends most of his time consulting with code and fire officials to ensure they understand how FRTW products meet all applicable codes. Hendricks says, “The ICC (International Code Council) creates the FRTW codes, which UL uses to certify FRTW products. An independent third-party quality control agency with IAS accreditation verifies product performance against ASTM standards. We are tested constantly, and compliance is strict. You either pass or you fail, and failure is not an option.”

Most interior fire retardants use similar chemicals in varying combinations (guanylurea phosphate and boric acide for FR-1 treatments like Dricon; phosphate, boric acid, and ammonia for FR-2 treatments like D-Blaze and FlamePRO). Viance’s Schoffstoll says, “A good analogy is that FRTW formulations are like motor oil in that they don’t differ significantly amongst brands.”

Chemco, Ferndale, Wa.—a pioneer in exterior FRTW—is reportedly the only company to use a single formula for both exterior and interior FR treatment. “Demand for interior dimensional lumber and plywood treatment is up due to more multifamily construction; however, we are also seeing an increase for exterior FRTW due to statewide adoption of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) by Washington State effective July 1, 2023,” says Chemco general manager Darin Dalry. “FRTW interest in the Pacific Northwest and Canada is at an all-time high, and we fully expect sustained demand for our TSO as more professionals specify SaferWood.”

Most pressure-impregnated fire-retardant treatments work in a similar fashion—transforming the wood into a product that no longer promotes burning. As AWPA president Colin McCown explains: “In very general terms, fire retardants for wood have one or more mechanisms for slowing down or eliminating the burning process. These include but are not limited to increasing the charring process (char insulates the wood beneath), forming an ultra-thin glassy layer, reducing the flammable gases released during the burning process, creating gases which cool the flames, etc. Each fire-retardant system will have its own mechanism (or two or three) for retarding the burning process—it really depends on the formulation.”

Even though the products may be fully compliant with IBC and IWUIC, FRTW is only part of the solution, according to J. Travis Owens, director of business development for SaferWood/Chemco. “Another part of the solution is programs like Firewise USA by NFPA. As we learn how to adapt to living with wildfire, community-level participation is required. Consistent messaging from all stakeholders is vital.”

According to ICC, five U.S. states have adopted the IWUIC statewide, along with over 200 jurisdictions in other states. Every year, more than 2 million acres in the U.S. are newly designated as a WUI Zone. As quickly as WUI is growing and building codes are changing to adapt to our new climate reality, there has been a proliferation of products and companies flooding the market—many of which do not meet the strict FRTW testing, manufacturing or reporting requirements. Ensure the FRTW brands you work with have the history, experience and expertise to deliver.

Use our list below to start your conversation about FRTW. “FRTW is serious business,” says Chemco’s Owens, “and those of us in the industry have an obligation to tell the truth and back up claims with evidence because the wood we treat is protecting property and saving lives.” BP

FRTW Brands

INTERIOR

D-Blaze

• Bestway (Cresco, PA; Corland, Gouvernuer, NY; Stony Point, NC)

• Flameproof Companies (Montgomery, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Kinsale, VA; Milwaukee, WI)

• Hixson Lumber Sales (Rochelle, Streator, IL; Hattiesburg, MS; Pleasant Hill, MO; Plumerville, AR; Winnfield, LA; Gilmer, Caddo Mills, Carrollton, Willis, TX)

Dricon FS

• Mid-States Wood Preservers (Simsboro, LA)

FlamePRO

• Biewer Lumber (Seneca, IL; Lansing, MI)

• CM Tucker Lumber (Pageland, SC)

• Culpeper Wood Preservers (Fredericksburg, VA; Columbia, Orangeburg, SC; Athens, NY)

• Great Southern Wood Preserving [FlameFreez] (Covington, GA)

• Maine Wood Treaters (Mechanic Falls, ME)

ProWood FR

• UFP Industries (Hamilton, OH; Moultrie, GA, Saginaw, TX; Windsor, CO)

Pyro-Guard

• Hoover Treated Wood Products (Thomson, GA; Havana, FL; Halifax, NC; Milford, VA; Pine Bluff, AR; Detroit, MI; Oxford, PA; Belington, WV)

Exterior

Exterior Fire-X

• Hoover Treated Wood Products (Pine Bluff, AR; Milford, VA)