FRT or flame resistant plywood is (or was) required by building codes for certain structures such as on either side of the fire wall between building units in multiple-living unit structures (apartments, condos, townhouses).
Fire-rated plywood can help protect a building and the people inside it in the event of a fire. When this type of wood is exposed to a fire, it creates a non-combustible gas and water vapor to hinder combustion. It is also designed to form a layer of protective char that insulates the wood against deeper damage.
Can I add wood structural panels to a fire rated gypsum board?
Section VI, item 6 of the guide on walls and partitions indicates that the addition of wood structural panels in fire-rated gypsum board wall assemblies is permitted provided :.
One way to consider this is Fire resistant or fireproof buildings and FRT wood use. According to the APA, and in accordance with the International Building Code (IBC), noncombustible buildings Types I and II (usually built of steel and concrete), allow fire-retardant-treated plywood and heavy timber construction in limited uses.
Does plywood burn?
Plywood burns slowly at low temperatures, which makes it even more dangerous. Lighting up plywood manually will take it longer to fully combust since it’s treated with a flame retardant. This is why it’s highly discouraged to burn plywood materials, even in an outdoor setting.
Will plywood burn?
Firstly, at about 320 degrees Fahrenheit up to about 500 degrees, the wood will start to burn and you can see it change in a way that can’t be reversed (char marks, cracking, shrinking, etc.) and at some point (anywhere above about 390 degrees) the wood will catch fire. What happens when plywood is exposed to extreme heat?
You could be wondering “Will plywood burn longer or oak?”
Hardwoods: Arguably, the best wood for fires is Hardwoods such as Oak. Hardwoods burn longer than other woods, and burn cleaner, meaning it creates less smoke and residue than other woods. These denser woods will produce a hotter, stronger, and long-lasting fire.
Can plywood be used in place of wood?
It can be used for interior as well as exterior walls. The combination of wood and cement makes it a good alternative to marine plywood for making boat floors, walls, and anything that needs to be moisture resistant. Birch plywood is also an economical marine plywood alternative.
This begs the query “Could OSB be better than plywood?”
OSB tends to be more flexible than regular plywood. However, this doesn’t mean that OSB is inherently weaker; it just means it can be a bit bouncy. For instance, if you’re using OSB as subflooring, you want to ensure that your floor joists aren’t too far apart; otherwise, you may end up with some bending.