Education

This session is a discussion of fire-retardant-treated wood technical characteristics and building code related applications. Emphasis is placed on the testing and labeling required by the International Building Code. The building code, as with many products, regulates the use of wood in construction. Two broad categories separate materials: combustible and noncombustible. Codes limit the applications of combustible materials on the basis of fire and life safety. The question is then, are there options available to using wood in lieu of a noncombustible material. Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood (FRTW) provides that option. Codes recognize FRTW for many applications where a noncombustible material is mandated. A few applications allow FRTW in lieu of one-hour ratings.