Special to Florida Construction News
TechWood 4400, a pressureless fire-retardant lumber protectant, passed the ASTM E-119 two-hour wall assembly test, according to a DRJ report released this week. TechWood is the first product of its kind to meet such high industry standards for fire rating wood frame assembly.
ASTM is an international testing standard recognized throughout the building industry. The E-119 test is designed to evaluate how well building components contain a fire and maintain their structural integrity. Building codes call for advanced fire-resistant components especially within multi-unit buildings to prevent fire conflagration between units and to nearby buildings.
“At TechWood, we continue testing to illustrate to the industry that our products make building better, safer and cleaner,” says Irv Minnaker, CEO. “The two-hour wall assembly listing gives builders and codes officials the confidence to request and approve TechWood products where advanced fire safety is required by code.”
TechWood, the industry leader in pressureless protective lumber treatments for component manufacturers and builders. TechWood technology uses a pressureless treating process unique in the lumber treatment industry. Without using punitive pressure-treating techniques, TechWood infuses lumber with a proprietary solution to prevent mold, eliminate termites, and protect against fire. The lumber is completely penetrated; unlike pressure-treat and retains those protections over time.
“Our two-hour wall assembly listing proves that builders have an option for strength and stability when code requirements call for fire walls,” said Andrew Dingman, executive vice president. “By definition, we meet the ICC standard for fire-retardant treated wood in Type IV construction.”
Several fire-retardant products are listed for two-hour wall assemblies, but only TechWood can document no loss of strength as a result of their treating process. Engineers can count on lumber treated with TechWood 4400 fire retardant to carry the same load as untreated – no reduced strength calculations.
“Our fire-retardant product is also unique in the market because we include warrantied protections against mold, rot, decay and termites,” explains Minnaker. “When you go with TechWood 4400, you get fire protection that exceeds industry requirements plus additional protections you don’t get with any other product.”
TechWood lumber treatment is available across the country through a nation-wide network of licensed applicators. Technical Evaluation Reports, Safety Data Sheets and UL Green Guard certifications for all TechWood products are available for public download and review at www.techwoodtreatments.com. To contact TechWood directly call 1-833-TEKWOOD or through email at co*****@****************ts.com.
