Evaluation of the fire retardant efficacy and leach resistance of an amino resin fire retardant - Preliminary report
IRG/WP 3260
W D Gardner, P N Alexiou, P Lind, D Butler
The Early Fire Hazard Indices of untreated Pinus radiata were determined by testing to Australian Standard 1530, Part 3 - 1976. Differences in the performance of heartwood and sapwood were noted, with heartwood samples giving higher Ignitability, Heat Evolved and Spread of Flame indices. The treatability of Pinus radiata with Pyrogard H was assessed, and backsawn sapwood treated more effectively than all other combinations of direction of cut and sapwood/heartwood. Treatment of kiln dried DAR Pinus radiata with Pyrogard H did not produce dimensional changes of practical significance. This factor, plus a high concentration gradient of retardant in the treated timber, make it an ideal treatment for fully machined and profiled Pinus radiata. The leach resistance of the retardant was assessed. A greater percentage of phosphorus than nitrogen was leached, but the retardant remaining after leaching conferred similar protection to the unleached material at equivalent rententions. Pyrogard H is an effective leach resistant fire retardant for Pinus radiata.
Keywords: FIRE RETARDANTS; PINUS RADIATA; SPREAD OF FLAME; IGNITABILITY; TREATABILITY; PYROGARD H; LEACHING; AMINO RESIN
Conference: 83-05-09/13 Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia