Fire Retardant Treatment
Working with industry leading partners, Vincent Timber can supply fire retardant treated timber cladding for projects across the UK.
Fire Retardant Timber Cladding
An increasing number of commercial, educational, and residential projects now require fire retardant timber cladding to meet building control requirements. It is vital to ensure the fire-retardant solutions being applied are fully and independently tested, and that the application methods follow strict criteria under factory controlled processes.
The safety of our cladding is vital. This is why we work with customers to ensure we are able to offer you effective fire protection specification. Where Euroclass B or C has been specified, a fire retardant wood treatment will need to be applied prior to delivery of your timber cladding.
Our fire treatment suppliers are continuously developing and testing their products to quickly meet any change in standards within the ever-evolving timber market. In the UK, The Wood Protection Association (UK) is a technical and advisory organisation dedicated to improving the performance and value of wood as a sustainable construction material. Fire treated timber cladding options from Vincent Timber are tested in accordance with the most up to date European Standards (Euroclasses) under the Construction Products Regulation and are classified in accordance with EN 13501-1.
Which EuroClass can Timber Cladding achieve?
Fire testing and classification standards for construction products are defined under European Standard EN 13501-1.
This system measures the products ‘reaction to fire’ and is classed by levels A1 through to F. Timber is able to reach a maximum of B with the use of fire retardants.
Smoke production and flaming droplets are reported, in addition to the following combustibility and contribution to fire: Euroclass B – s1, d0.
BS EN 13501-1 divides building materials into 7 classes according to their reaction to fire
| A1 | Non-combustible materials: do not contribute to the development of a fire |
| A2 | Materials with limited combustibility: do not contribute to the development of a fire. |
| B | Combustible: limited contribution to fire. |
| C | Combustible: minor contribution to fire. |
| D | Combustible: contributes to fire. |
| E | Combustible: will only resist a small flame for a few seconds. |
| F | Materials that have not been classified or have not met the minimum requirements of class E. |
The Fire Treatment process
The application of a fire retardant follows a strictly controlled process.
- Prior to the process, moisture checks are carried out on the timber to ensure levels are suitable.
- Packs of timber are placed in a large autoclave (cylinder).
- Under high pressure, the fire retardant solution is pushed into the cell structure of the timber.
- After the pressure treatment, timbers are removed, re-stacked and placed into kilns for drying.
- Kiln drying is a slow and measured process to reduce the change or movement of splits throughout.
- Final checks are carried out to ensure uptake has been achieved throughout the pack.
- Re-packing ready for delivery to site.