Wood-Based Paneling as Thermal Barriers,

Fire penetration tests were conducted to examine how the thermal protection afforded insulation in fire-exposed wall assemblies is influenced by wood-based panel type and thickness. Small-scale specimens 20-by 20-in. were fabricated reflecting 14- to 34-inch plywood over 1-inch slabs of foam plastics 58-inch plywood panels with no backup material, over a 3-12-inch loose-fill cellulosic insulation, 3-12-inch air gap, 12-inch foam plastic, or 3-12-inch glass-fiber insulation and 58-inch particle board, 58-inch hardboard composite, 58-inch solid wood, 58-inch fire-retardant-treated plywood or 12-inch gypsum wallboard over 1-inch slabs of foam plastic. These specimens were then subjected to the time-temperature fire exposure given in ANSIASTM Standard E 119. Because this research was conducted only to characterize material response and not to define the more complex performance of full-scale assemblies according to all the requirements of ANSIASTM Standard E 119, the information is not directly applicable to establishing the finish rating for a given panel type. However, the results do increase our understanding of what panel characteristics influence finish rating in assemblies. Author