Technical Specifications
Codes, Standards & Model Spec
Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) wood is recognized as an alternative to materials classified as noncombustible for a range of applications by building code organizations and related agencies. The model building codes require that every piece of fire retardant treated wood bear the identification mark of an approved inspection agency. Dricon® FRT wood has been evaluated and issued a report (ESR-1626) by International Code Council (ICC) Evaluation Services, providing evidence that it meets the requirements of model building codes for interior fire retardant treated wood. Dricon® FRT wood is acceptable under American Wood Protection Association’s (AWPA) P & U standards.
Each piece of Dricon® FRT wood is marked with a stamp showing compliance with ESR-1626. The mark further identifies the name and location of the treating plant and will show that the material complies with AWPA standards, has been dried after treatment, and qualifies as an Interior Type A, low hygroscopic product.
SDSs for Treated Wood Products
International Code Council® Codes (IBC, IRC & IMC)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes 101 and 703
National Building Code of Canada
Dricon® FRT wood model specification
An editable model specification is provided here for architects and design professionals to ensure that products purchased meet their intended uses. Model specifications typically include criteria defined in building codes and industry standards, but may also include additional characteristics, such as warranties, third-party certification, and special properties, to provide desired features.
Hardware
Galvanized steel hardware is recommended for use with Dricon® FRT wood. Although Dricon® treatment does not increase corrosion of bare or galvanized steel, the galvanizing provides an extra measure of protection with any treated wood.
Design Values
Dricon® FRT wood has recommended fastener design value adjustments based on full size independent testing completed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The adjustments for lateral and withdrawal loading of nailed, screwed and bolted joints range from 0 to 8 percent reduction.
Preservative Properties
Dricon® FRT wood is an EPA-registered preservative that effectively resists termites and decay in above-ground, weather-protected use. Some species treated with Dricon® FRT wood also meet the requirements of AWPA Standard U1 Commodity Specifications A (sawn products) and F (plywood).This applies to uses such as: studs, flooring, joists, trusses, sill plates, interior trim, and other applications not exposed to direct wetting. Dricon® FRT wood will also meet retention requirements for protection against subterranean and Formosan termites as established by the American Wood Protection Association (0.28 pcf B2O3) standard P5 under Inorganic Boron, SBX.
Termite Protection
Mississippi State University Forest Products Laboratory conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Dricon® FRT wood in preventing termites using the standard test procedures defined in AWPA Standards. Southern pine sample blocks were pressure treated with four retentions of the Dricon® formulation. These treated blocks and untreated control blocks were exposed to termites in an unweathered and unleached condition. In this accelerated four-week test, even the blocks treated with substantially lower than normal retentions of Dricon® fire retardant chemicals exhibited excellent termite protection. All 20 blocks treated with Dricon® were rated “light attack” or better at the conclusion of the tests. All untreated control blocks were rated either “failure” or “heavy damage.” A study performed at the University of Hawaii demonstrated the effectiveness of the Dricon® formulation against the resilient, highly destructive Formosan termites. Samples of southern pine, treated with the Dricon® solution to various retention levels, were exposed to Formosan termites in accordance with AWPA test method E1-97. After four weeks of exposure, samples treated to just 56% of the minimum retention for Dricon® FRT wood showed only “light attack” (8.6 average visual rating) and 4.05% average weight loss, compared to “failure” (visual rating of 0.0) and 51.4% weight loss for the untreated controls. Samples with higher retention levels showed even less effect.
Fungicidal Protection
Michigan Technological University evaluated fungicidal properties according to ASTM D 1413-76 using soil block cultures. Test blocks were prepared from southern pine sapwood and Douglas fir heartwood. Eight samples of each species were treated with Dricon® fire retardant using commercial treating solutions and procedures. The treated and untreated control blocks in an unweathered, unleached condition were exposed to three fungal organisms (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Lentinus lepideus, and Poria placenta) for a 12-week period. At the conclusion of the test there was no visual evidence of decay in any blocks treated with Dricon® fire retardant at normal commercial retention levels. All untreated blocks showed decay and experienced weight losses ranging from 18.6% to 66.7%.
Corrosion
Accelerated tests following procedures of military specification MIL-L-19140 have demonstrated Dricon® FRT wood to be no more corrosive to various metals than untreated wood.
Dricon® samples were tested in contact with aluminum, carbon steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel, copper, and red brass. Other tests have demonstrated that Dricon® treatment may actually help reduce corrosion of the protective zinc layer on galvanized steel truss plates.
If the exposure is such that moisture might condense between wood and the metal hardware, siding, or roofing, corrosion can be expected with either treated or untreated wood. This type of environment requires back priming with a corrosion inhibitive paint on the surface of the metal in contact with the wood or use of a moisture barrier.