IV-F FIRE PERFORMANCE OF ORIENTED STRANDBOARD

Wood-based composites represent a continuously increasing share of the wood products market. Commercial construction will be important for future expansion of the structural panels market. Use of engineered wood products as an alternative to traditional solid wood lumber is also increasing. A recent series of cone calorimeter tests evaluated the performance of several composite rim board materials, including three oriented strandboard (OSB) products, a com -ply product, a laminated veneer lumber product, plywood, and lumber. Although initial behavior was similar, the 300-s average heat release rates of the three OSB products were higher than those of the other products. Other results from the FPL cone calorimeter database for wood composites are also reviewed. With increased use of wood composites, the market for fire -retardant treatments of composites is likely to increase. Fire-retardant treatments for wood composites are briefly discussed.