WOOD FIRE RETARDANT TESTS

Underwriters Laboratory
12 Laboratory Drive
PO Box 13995
Research Triangle Park
North Carolina 27709-3995
(919) 549-1400
FAX No. (919) 549-1842

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A not-for-profit organization
dedicated to public safety and
committed to quality service.

PRODUCTS COVERED:

*   The products covered by this Report are fire retardant coatings. For the purpose of this Report, the products are identified as Type C and Type I. The manufacturer has designated Type C as “Fire Kote™ ” and Type I as “Wood Seal™”.

USE:

    The coatings covered in this Report are intended for use as interior coatings as permitted by the authorities having jurisdiction. The established Surface Burning Characteristics of the coatings are applicable only when the coating material is applied in the indicated number of coats, coverage rates, substrates, and overcoats and undercoats as specified in the published advices of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and when the the coating is maintained.

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EXAMINATION OF MATERIAL:

    The materials used in this investigation were produced in a ready-to-use form under the observation of a representative of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. And were applied to the indicated test surfaces at the Northbrook testing station.

    The compositions of the coating materials are of a proprietary nature and the formulas involved are on file at the Laboratories for use in the Follow-Up Service Program.

       Various chemical and physical analyses were conducted on the coating materials and the results obtained from these analyses were employed in the establishment of specifications for use in the Follow-Up Service Program.
 

SURFACE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS TESTS:

    Douglas Fir - The test decks were 21 in. wide and 8 ft. Long, composed of 1 by 4 in. Tongue-and-groove Douglas fir flooring fastened together on the unexposed surface with wood furring strips. Three such decks were butted together end to end to form the 24 ft. long test surface required to fill the Steiner Tunnel furnace.

    The coating materials were applied to the test surfaces by a representative of the submittor under the observation of a staff member of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.  The coating materials were rolled applied in three coats; each coat was allowed to dry to touch before the application of the next. The amount of coating applied was determined by weight.

    Two coatings were evaluated under this investigation; for the purpose of this Report, the coatings have been identified as “Type C” and “Type I”. “Type C” coating was applied at a rate of 360 ft²/gal per coat; “Type I” coating was applied at a rate of 330 ft²/ gal per coat.

The test samples were conditioned for 28 days at a temperature of  70 ± 5° F and relative humidity of  45 to 55 percent before testing.

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        1.     If the total area (At) is less than or equal to 97.5 min.-ft (meter-minute x 3.3), the flame spread Classification is to be 0.515 times the total area (At), FSC = 0.515 At.

        2.     If the total area (At) is greater than 97.5 min.-ft (meter-minute x 3.3), the flame spread Classification is to be 4900 divided by 195 minus the total area (At), FSC = 4900/ (195-At).
 
 

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Test No.	Material	Calculated Value For Fuel Contributed
1	Blank Douglas Fir Decks	71.2
2	Blank Douglas Fir Decks	71.8
3	Type C	14.0
4	Type C	13.7
5	Type C	15.2
6	Type I	30.2
7	Type I	29.8
8	Type I	26.1

Smoke Developed

    The smoke developed during the test is indicated by the output of a photoelectric circuit operating across the furnace flue pipe. A curve is developed by plotting values of light absorption (decreased in cell output) against time. The calculated value for smoke -developed by plotting values of light absorption (decreased in cell output) against time. The calculated value for smoke-developed Classification is derived by expressing the net area under the curve for the material under test as a percentage of the net area under the curve for untreated red oak.
 

Test No.		Calculated Value For Smoke Developed
1	Blank Douglas Fir Decks	20.7
2	Blank Douglas Fir Decks	18.4
3	Type C	148.5
4	Type C	131.6
5	Type C	144.4
6	Type I	101.3
7	Type I	92.1
8	Type I	92.1

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Page 6

                       Page C1                 Issued :  08-23-8

                                               Revised : 10-24-96

             C O N C L U S I O N

SURFACE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS:

    The following Surface Burning Characteristics are established for the coatings evaluated under this investigation :
 
 

	("Fire Kote") DOUGLAS FIR	("Wood Seal") DOUGLAS FIR
FLAME SPREAD	20	35
SMOKE DEVELOPED	140	95

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                     Page C2                Issued:   08-23-84
                                                         Revised : 10-24-96

Surface	Douglas Fir	Douglas Fir
Flame Spread	20	35
Fuel Contributed	15	30
Smoke Developed	140	95
Number of preliminary coats	None	None
Rate per coat (ft² / gal)	-	-
Number of fire retardant coats	3	3
Rate per coat (ft² / gal)	360	330
Number of overcoats	None	None
Rate per coat (ft² / gal)	-	-
Flash point of liquid coatings:  Fire retardant coating: closed       cup, no flash	.	.

Report by:                                             Reviewed by:

NESTOR G. SANCHEZ                                      RICHARD N. WALKE

Project Engineer                                       Engineering Team Leader

Fire Protection Department                            Fire Protection Department