Flame-Spread Measurements By the Radiant Panel Flame-Spread Method

The radiant-panel flame-spread test method indicated that variations in moisture content and mean density can cause appreciable differences in results from the same materials. At the same mean density and moisture content, variations in the surface grain structure of untreated wood affected the flame-spread index. Careful selection, specification, and conditioning of test materials to conform with well standardized conditions are important in obtaining accurate results from these tests. When this method was used to evaluate fire-retardant coatings applied to wood-base materials, the flame-spread indices of the fire-retardant coated assemblies were considerably lower than those of the uncoated or conventionally coated materials, though there were also significant differences among coatings. Water soluble paints that intumesce to produce a thick surface barrier foam are effective fire-retardants, although there are practical drawbacks to their use. The radiant panel test should be useful in the development of fire-retardant coatings for wood-base products.

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