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Does timber burn? A field study of naturally weathered fire-retardant-impregnated timber façade

Arvidsson, Carolina LU (2025) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM01 20242
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Abstract
This study investigates how natural weathering affects the fire performance of
fire-retardant-impregnated timber façade. Results from a Cone Calorimeter testing showed significant differences in fire properties between different parts of the façade slats, with more weather-exposed surfaces exhibiting slower ignition but higher peak heat release rate per unit areas. Timber color was found to correlate with fire performance, suggesting that color could serve as a visual indicator of the façade’s condition. The research highlights challenges in fire-retardant documentation, maintenance guidelinesand long-term performance assessment. It also raises concerns about the potential uneven distribution of fire retardants within the timber, where... (More)
This study investigates how natural weathering affects the fire performance of
fire-retardant-impregnated timber façade. Results from a Cone Calorimeter testing showed significant differences in fire properties between different parts of the façade slats, with more weather-exposed surfaces exhibiting slower ignition but higher peak heat release rate per unit areas. Timber color was found to correlate with fire performance, suggesting that color could serve as a visual indicator of the façade’s condition. The research highlights challenges in fire-retardant documentation, maintenance guidelinesand long-term performance assessment. It also raises concerns about the potential uneven distribution of fire retardants within the timber, where the middle section of the slats performed similarly to untreated pine. Key findings underscore the need for greater transparency from manufacturers, clearer maintenance protocols, a better understanding of how fire retardants adhere to and distribute within wood, and more accurate methods for assessing the long-term durability of fire-retardant-treated timber under real-world conditions. Collaborative research between the construction industry, fire retardant manufacturers and research institutions is encouraged/essential to develop sustainable and fire-safe timber façade solutions. (Less)
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author
Arvidsson, Carolina LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM01 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Fire-retardant impregnated timber façade, natural weathering, field study, exterior timber applications, fire performance, Cone Calorimeter testing, time to ignition, heat release rate, flame spread, timber color indicator, fire-retardant durability, weather-exposure effects, maintenance guidelines, regulatory frameworks, long-term fire protection, TRP, FPI
publication/series
LUTVDG/TVBB
report number
5735
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBB--5735--SE
language
English
additional info
Trevlig läsning!
id
9209533
date added to LUP
2025-08-11 09:37:59
date last changed
2025-08-11 09:37:59
@misc{9209533,
  abstract     = {{This study investigates how natural weathering affects the fire performance of 
fire-retardant-impregnated timber façade. Results from a Cone Calorimeter testing showed significant differences in fire properties between different parts of the façade slats, with more weather-exposed surfaces exhibiting slower ignition but higher peak heat release rate per unit areas. Timber color was found to correlate with fire performance, suggesting that color could serve as a visual indicator of the façade’s condition. The research highlights challenges in fire-retardant documentation, maintenance guidelinesand long-term performance assessment. It also raises concerns about the potential uneven distribution of fire retardants within the timber, where the middle section of the slats performed similarly to untreated pine. Key findings underscore the need for greater transparency from manufacturers, clearer maintenance protocols, a better understanding of how fire retardants adhere to and distribute within wood, and more accurate methods for assessing the long-term durability of fire-retardant-treated timber under real-world conditions. Collaborative research between the construction industry, fire retardant manufacturers and research institutions is encouraged/essential to develop sustainable and fire-safe timber façade solutions.}},
  author       = {{Arvidsson, Carolina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
  title        = {{Does timber burn? A field study of naturally weathered fire-retardant-impregnated timber façade}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}