Fire retardant treatment of wooden structures: a modern approach

The use of materials of natural origin in the construction of buildings is characteristic of all periods of human history. The most accessible raw material for building structures is wood. There are many technologies for its application in the construction of buildings from Russian chopped huts and houses to European half-timbered houses. The most difficult and acute problem at all times was fire retardant treatment of wooden structures, yet the material is flammable.

Modern construction industry offers innovative technologies to increase the limit of resistance of this material to high temperatures and open flame. Their use makes it possible to use the useful properties of wood to a considerable extent. As studies show, carrying metal and reinforced concrete frames under the influence of high temperatures lose their resistance in 15-20 minutes.

Methods of increasing the fire resistance of materials

The most promising direction is the fire retardant treatment of wooden structures with special chemical compounds. These compounds are called flame retardants. The practice of their application shows that the rate of charring of wood is reduced to a value acceptable for practical use. For a considerable thickness, the load-bearing elements are able to maintain stability for a long time.

Such fire retardant treatment of wooden structures can be made even at the stage of production of finished construction parts. For example, round logs or profiled logs are solid or glued exposed to impregnation with fire retardants even at the woodworking enterprise. The buildings in service are handled by the owners or employees of specialized companies.

The principle of fire retardants and application methods

Processing fire retardant composition of wooden structures is made in a variety of ways. On wood processing plants, the soaking of the finished elements in solutions is mainly carried out. This technology is most effective, but it requires special equipment and large volumes of formulations. In finished structures, flame retardants are applied by brush, roller or from a sprayer.

Fire retardant treatment of wooden structures by the method of impregnation with chemical compounds is widely used in construction. The principle of its operation is the following: under the influence of flame and high temperatures, a layer of non-combustible substances forms on the surface. It is mainly foaming, which significantly reduces heat transfer. In addition, the formation of substances that displace oxygen.

Testing the effectiveness of technology

The fire-technical expertise has the purpose to check the degree of fire protection of buildings and structures. Classification of buildings is made in accordance with regulatory documentation and legislation. This allows you to identify the level of fire safety of real estate. Based on the conclusion of commission checks, a set of measures is being developed to increase the degree of fire resistance of buildings.

Verification of fire retardant treatment of wooden structures is carried out at the stage of their production. Control is carried out in the laboratories of the enterprise or independent research centers for certification.