As construction adapts to tighter, tougher safety regulations – fire-retardant timber is emerging as the transformational solution many in the sector have been searching for.
It’s easy to see why. Not only does this treated material create life-saving time to escape in the event of a fire – with the timber charring rather than igniting when exposed to high heat – it’s also eco-friendly and made with natural ingredients.
One brand forging a path in this arena is Belfast-based HALT, which uses the innovative, non-toxic, fire-retardant BURNBLOCK treatment.
A business arm of the bespoke fit out contractor Pure Fitout (the brand behind the renovations of high-profile venues like Hawksmoor’s debut Irish restaurant, Claridges’ Spa and The Leinster), HALT is currently in the process of upgrading its Belfast production facility to meet intense demand – investing €1.8m overall on a 2,000ft2 site.
HALT has also created 20 specialist jobs in the Belfast region, as well as earning a shortlist spot on the 2023 FSB Awards.
Since its formation in autumn 2021, the firm has set turnover targets of €6m and has positioned itself as a popular choice for merchants, distributors, contractors and architects/specifiers. It has a project book that includes transport hubs, fast-food chains and the biggest rooftop bar in Ireland.
And earlier this year Transport for London (TfL) awarded Halt with a contract to become an approved supplier of fire-retardant timber.
The contract will see HALT supplying all of the fire-retardant timber used in construction work across the London Underground.
HALT has also won a contract to supply its specially treated timber to the UK’s HS2 project.
The company has also played its part in a number of high-profile hospitality renovations, which include the glossy Chinese restaurant Mama Yo (fitting the interior with reclaimed and salvaged timber across walls, ceiling and seating) and Ireland’s 20th Wowburger destination (fitting birch plywood wall panelling to the Bray Central site).
The brand was also behind the restoration of two historic locations in Dublin. These include the beloved Foxhunter pub this summer – refurbishing the 1900s public house with timber features including wall and ceiling panelling and wooden bar areas – and an agreement to treat internal wall linings in Dublin Castle for the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The construction sector is currently in the midst of irrevocable change – with regulations such as The Building Safety Act marking the first step towards a stricter building landscape.
Enhancing the performance of building materials to prevent and slow the spread of any fire is a key part of new legislation – and specially-treated timber is emerging as an essential solution during a period in which the UK is aiming to tighten up safety whilst simultaneously accelerating construction.
The timber industry specifically will also turn a corner in 2025 – with a new focus on embracing modern technology. The Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) discovered an appetite for new tech in its latest State of the Industry Survey, revealing that just 10% were “unlikely” to invest in new technology or new ways of working in 2024.
HALT can be recognised as one of the pioneers for the new phase of timber – specialising in a highly effective and non-toxic fire retardant from its partner BURNBLOCK. The treatment consists of purely natural ingredients combined in a patented formula – utilising a process that effectively prevents oxygen from reaching the treated object (without the use of oxygen and fire during treatment).
The fire retardant is invisible and leaves no trace of grease or staining, making the material ready for further treatments. Once absorbed by the treated material, a surface remains that chars rather than ignites – releasing water upon application of heat.
The process has been applied to various types of material including western red cedar, spruce, sapele, beech, birch plywood and pine plywood in previous HALT projects, with the treatment proving hugely popular as a safe and aesthetically attractive solution in a changing construction world.
“People are realising the value of what HALT has to offer the market – and we’ve been seeing a substantial increase in interest as a result,” said Thomas Ferguson, HALT general manager.
“There aren’t many other companies anywhere in Ireland or the UK who have licenses to use our particular mix chemical [WJ FireWright – part of the WJ Group in the UK is another], so we’ve really set ourselves apart as frontrunners for this type of fire safety technology.
“We’re bringing something of genuine value to the construction sector at a time when it needs it most. Regulations and legislation have evolved, and fireretardant timber ticks the boxes as a safe and environmentally-friendly answer to challenges that specifiers, architects and builders are all facing.”
The company says that part of its expansion can be attributed to the strong relationships the brand has built right across the timber and construction sector and Mr Ferguson attributes the firm’s successes not just to technology, but also the strategic pivot towards sealing partnerships with some of the most familiar names in the industry.
“We are going in a different direction than we were – moving focus towards working closely with a wide range of suppliers rather than chasing down particular customers,” he explained.
“The order book has filled considerably as a result – our new plan is working.”
The list of partner names includes Falcon Timber, with whom HALT is working to bring a range of plywood products to the market, as well as Brooks Brothers.
HALT has also struck deals with Wilsons Yard, Haldane Fisher, and Timber Ireland, which provides sustainable timber and building materials.
Securing multiple partnerships has resulted in faster, better results for customers, explained Steve McCann, HALT operations manager.
“In construction, everybody wants everything yesterday,” he said. “But you can be looking at anywhere from four to six weeks to obtain materials – which can often feel like a long wait.
“We partner with multiple high-quality suppliers who have great materials ready and waiting. Instead of a four- or five-week turnaround, it can be done within three days. Our approach is trying to get partnered with the top suppliers so we have everything ready to go when people need it.”
With partnerships, facilities and resources all growing, HALT is aiming to be one of the biggest names in timber and construction in 2025.
