Gustafs Are There Inherent Fire Retardant Wooden Panels
ARE THERE INHERENT FIRE RETARDANT WOODEN PANELS
ARE THERE INHERENT FIRE RETARDANT WOODEN PANELS
Are you considering using fire retardant mdf and plywood in a public space? If you are designing interior paneling for public spaces you might know that the fire regulations are stringent.
You have to find a material that both meets the requirements for fire safety and at the same time is able to create a beautiful interior. We have compiled a comparison between the most common wood paneling materials for wall and ceiling claddings in public spaces. The comparison is between the core material and the cladding panel including veneer, lacquer and perforations.
INFORMATION
FEATURES
- Fire Safety of the core
- Fire safety of the whole panel, including veneer, lacquer and perforations
FIBER GYPSUM CORE
- The Core : Fiber gypsum contains 83% or more non-combustible minerals and is classified A1-S1,d0 or A2-S1,d0. No impregnating chemicals or fire retardant lacquers need to be used.
- The Whole Panel : Fiber gypsum is all the way through non-combustible. Perforations do not effect the fire properties and the whole panel keeps fire class A2-s1,d0, including the veneer and lacquer.
MDF CORE MATERIAL
- The Core : Fire retardant FR-MDF’s with class B-s1,d0 are available
- The Whole Panel : With veneer FR-MDF drops to fire class C or lower. FR-Lacquers can be used, but the salts and thicknesses required, make them non-clear. Perforated holes can not be lacquered.
PLYWOOD CORE MATERIAL
- The Core : Plywood can be impregnated to class B-s1,d0. The impragnation and drying process can lead to warping panels.
- The Whole Panel : Plywood including the top veneer can be impregnated to B-s1,d0. Impregnation cannot pass the glue layers in plywood, perforations might expose non-impregnated material.
SOLID WOOD
- The Core : Solid wood can be impregnated to B-s1,d0, although few suppliers have certificates for all wood species. The impregnation and drying process can lead to warping products/ribs.
- The Whole Panel : Solid wood can be impregnated to B-s1,d0, but lacquers must be added afterwards. Fire classifications do seldom include the surface finish like lacquer, oil or stain.