HARDWOOD FLOORS – FIRE RESISTANCE
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WOOD
Wood by nature is a flammable material. However, wood has excellent resistance to fire penetration due to its low thermal conductivity when forming a layer or surface char to maintain its physical and mechanical properties for longer than metal or cement structures.
MASS TIMBER
Solid wood (Mass Timber) allows structures to be worked through solid panels such as cross-laminated wood (CLT), nail laminated wood (NLT), dowel laminated wood (DLT), and glued laminated wood panels (Glulam). Mass timber has exceptional stability and strength, making it a good choice better than steel and concrete in many applications.
OTHER MATERIALS
For example, steel can deform when subjected to very high temperatures, and metal structures tend to collapse and crumble. Likewise, concrete structures can be uninhabitable after being subjected to fire. On the other hand, wooden structures are protected by various layers of this material that allow isolation and retarding the fire. Wood, even under the most aggressive fires, burns slowly and remains stable. Therefore, it does not experience dimensional changes, allowing other structure sections to retain their properties.
HEAVY WOOD STRUCTURES
The advantage of heavy structures lies in their low thermal conductivity that causes the temperature to rise only on the surface. Therefore, when it burns, it gradually and slowly weakens. Also, surface carbonization prevents the escape of gases and heat penetration without destabilizing the structures. Some research and analysis show that solid wood meets and overcomes prescribed fire and safety codes. For example, a standard wood wall covered with gypsum withstands 3 hours of fire. Light wooden structures can burn and weaken very quickly. In this case, they can collapse very fast, being necessary to protect it with external means.
FIRE RESISTANT FLOORS
Fire-resistant flooring and structures reduce the spread of flames and smoke when a building is experiencing a fire-related event. These properties offer benefits in terms of protection and safety for the home’s occupants. Because hardwood floors are made of flammable material, underfloor heating is a cost-effective way to keep the right room environment and a stable surface under your feet.
CALL THE PROFESSIONALS
For further information, call the professionals on hardwood floors in Charlotte, NC.
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