Softwood and plywood panels treated with nine commercial fire retardant formulations, including Dricon, were exposed in office and warehouse environments 21 years ago in testing commissioned by the Wood Protection Association (formerly the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association).
The trials were designed to increase confidence in the use of fire protected timber by building control officers.
Follow-up tests have involved panels being withdrawn and subjected to BS 476: Part 7 surface spread of flame test to assess their fire resistance after years of exposure in situ.
Arch product manager Richard Adams said the test data shows that Dricon’s fire performance is as good now as it was 21 years ago.
Arch celebrated the 25th anniversary of Dricon, which is applied to timber in a vacuum pressure impregnation plant, at its stand at The Timber Show in London.
