The three products that make up Norbord’s SterlingOSB Fire Solutions range were developed in response to the Structural Timber Association’s guidance document "STA Design guide to separating distances during construction".
Structural engineer Julian Marcroft, who assisted Norbord in developing the solutions to address the issue of construction site fires, presented the three products to trade press at an event in London.
The range combines 9mm SterlingOSB3 with specialist coating and treatments designed to reduce potential radiant heat emissions.
SterlingOSB FS-300 is board treated on both sides with 150gsm of NoBurn intumscent; SterlingOSB FS-MgO is board with a 3mm magnesium oxide laminated board on one face; and SterlingOSB FS-MgO 150 is a board with 150gsm NoBurn intumescent on one face and 3mm magnesium oxide board laminated on the other.
When used in wall systems in conjunction with Rockwool insulation, these three products allow designers to incorporate a range of structural timber frame details while delivering the fire performance defined by the STA guidance, said Norbord.
The products are now available through Norbord’s distributor network.
Norbord Europe’s managing director Karl Morris also updated the press on the company’s Use Wood Wisely campaign, which lobbies for a hierarchy of use for wood products and against large scale biomass for energy production.
Citing coverage in national media such as the Daily Mail, Mr Morris said that people other than panel producers "are beginning to challenge the assumptions of the greenesss of biomass".
"We continue to believe we have right on our side and think there is growing recognition that burning wood is wrong," he said.
