Flame spread properties of forest products. Comparison and validation of prescribed Australian and North American flame spread test methods

Abstract

AbstractNineteen forest products in sawn board and panel form (including three fire retardant treated) have been tested to AS1530.3—Test For Early Fire Hazard Properties of Materials and ASTM E84—Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. These tests are used in the building codes to regulate the flame spread properties of all combustible building materials in Australia and interior finsihes in North America, respectively. A correlation was established between Time to Ignition (AS1530.3) and Flame Spread Index (ASTM E84) for the forest products that had not been fire retardant treated. Room fire testing of eight of the forest products validaded Time to Ignition (AS1530.3) and Flame Spread Index (ASTM E84) as reliable test criteria for regulating the use of combustible materials.