We know how versatile and diverse the plywood is. They are distinguished into several grades, types and properties. Each of them is designed to serve a specific or broad purpose. One of the unique plywood is fire-retardant (FR) plywood. As the name suggests, it slows the spreading of flames in case of fire accidents. A plywood manufacturer uses special chemical treatment methods in making this plywood and gives it fire-retardant properties. Many buildings use FR plywood in their interiors to avoid fire propagation and safeguard the lives of large numbers of people working or residing in these buildings, and also the expensive elements inside the building. Let’s deep dive into fire retardant plywood- how it is made, and its features.
How Fire Retardant Plywood is Made
In India, a plywood manufacturer makes fire-retardant plywood as per IS: 5509 specifications. The veneers are impregnated with fire-retardant chemicals. Di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate is one of the chemicals that are popularly used in this plywood. The impregnation happens at high pressure and is then dried and cured so that the chemical distributes evenly. The rest of the process is the same as the standard method of plywood manufacturing, that is, bonding with resins at alternate grain patterns.
Features of Fire Retardant Plywood
Fire retardant plywood is used in public spaces or areas with high traffic. Unlike other plywood, which is easily combustible in case of fire, these resists flame penetration for at least 30 minutes so that the rescue team can come into the facility and evacuate the occupants to a safer place. Its application includes the kitchen of restaurants, pantries in railways, and other spaces, wherever damage due to fire is anticipated.
Here are the features of FR plywood:
- Delayed Ignition: The fire-resistant plywood is designed to delay the ignition of the wood. By delaying the ignition, it prevents the flames from spreading further and slows down the growth of the fire.
- Low Smoke Emission: This chemically treated plywood is designed to emit low smoke and harmful gases. It keeps the occupants safe from suffocating due to toxic gases or fumes.
- Protects Building Structure: The flame retardant property of this plywood protects the structure of the building from collapsing, maintaining its integrity and reducing the repair costs involved in re-construction.
- Meets Building Codes: The fire retardant plywood is not just optional choice but an essential woodwork as per many building codes. A locality with high traffic has guidelines that mandate the use of FR plywood.
- Moisture and Pest Resistance: The high moisture-resistant adhesives and additional chemicals for termite and borer resistance gives it high durability and extends its life to withstand regular environmental stressors.
Conclusion
The fire-retardant plywood is an essential woodworking element applied in various public and private building structures. It is used in furniture, partitions, wall panels, office desks, as well as decorative woodworks. Kridha Laminates is a plywood manufacturer that provides different sizes and designs of fire-resistant plywood. These are stringent tests such as water resistance test, cyclic test, mycological test, and strength tests. For the high-quality control and custom solutions, Kridha Laminates is chosen by a large number of customers across India.