SafeWood and SafeWood FRX have been developed to make the application of timber possible for interior and exterior cladding and ceilings where fire regulations are concerned. By impregnating timber it is possible to use a sustainable material.
Trees take up and store carbon dioxide during their growth, which makes timber a carbon neutral building material. The development of fire retardant technologies makes is possible to impregnate timer for cladding material with a Euro class B fire safety classification.
This way SafeWood and SafeWood FRX can comply with the strict requirements of the Construction Products Regulations on fire safety, for both public and private buildings.
The product dramatically reduces flame spread and heat release, has low smoke generation, substantially extends the period before “flashover” occurs and provides enhanced biological durability to the treated timber.
The product dramatically reduces flame spread and heat release, has low smoke generation, substantially extends the period before “flashover” occurs and provides enhanced biological durability to the treated timber.
Non-hygroscopic
The product offers fire retardant treated wood and sheet material for exterior or severe damp situations. It is protected by an advanced polymer based formulation that allows application of finished products in exterior or severe damp situations without the need for further protection.
SafeWood is non-hygroscopic and resistant to humid environments up to 90%. Therefore this product is excellent suitable for humid environments like swimming pools or public spaces. In the Olympic swim stadium in London SafeWood was applied to the ceiling
Fire retardant with a coating
SafeWood is suitable for exterior applications provided that the cladding has a coating. The coating protects the fire retardant formula from leaching due to rain. If SafeWood Color is used a coating like firestain will prevent a negative impact on the burning behavior. The coating system fixes exceptionally well to the timber since no molds grow on it, especially when applied on a face band sawn surface. This also prevents the coating from peeling off. With the coating, SafeWood is suitable for exterior applications when the coating is maintained.
Circularity
SafeWood fits excellent in circular projects where materials are being reused. The timber will be treated with the SafeWood solution and receive a Euro class B level. Then these timbers can be applied in new building projects.
From tree to facade
The timber for SafeWood is sourced from responsibly managed forests with a PEFC or FSC certificate. SafeWood is made from spruce, pine, Siberian larch and western red cedar.
The timber is treated with a fire retardant formulation under high pressure. This results in a humidity resistant fire retardant protection in the timber. For exterior applications the fire retardant treatment needs a coating to protect it from leeching.
Under high pressure the timber is treated with a fire retardant formulation based on polymers. This results in a maintenance free fire retardant protection of the timber.
During the heat treatment a polymerisation reaction is initiated. The fire retardant biopolymers bind with the wood cells. This results in a permanent fire retardant protection without the need for maintenance during the service life of the timber.
A 40 year track record
There is a track record with the used technology of over 40 years with proven stability and safety in Western Europe and the United States. It is fully tested in accordance with the most up to date European Standards (Euroclasses) under the Construction Products Directive and classified in accordance with EN 1350-1. Euroclass C/B fire performance can be achieved for a wide range of timber and plywood species. It is listed in the UK WPA Fire Retardant Manual as a leach resistant industrial treatment for exterior timbers.
Full design flexibility with timber
SafeWood® select provides the full design flexibility with wood products as a sustainable material. Timber products are impregnated with an advanced polymer based formulation in a vacuum pressure impregnation plant, followed by a kiln drying and high temperature curing schedule to return the timber to an acceptable or specified moisture content.
Project References
As part of the redevelopment of the train station area of Driebergen-Zeist this is the first energy neutral parking garage in the Netherlands. By using timber slats and stone in gabion baskets on the façade, the building fits in with its location and its users experience the stunning surrounding landscape. Extra attention has been paid to the main entrance where the characteristic, playful application of timber slats is continued.
In Amersfoort a beautiful modern hospital has recently been built. Through the use of 5000 meters square timber cladding the Meander Medical Centre now has a professional and friendly appearance. Carpenters from Foreco Timber Constructions have mounted a framework on the outer wall to apply the timber cladding of Western Red Cedar. The external cladding received a fire retardant treatment of SafeWood® Select. Unique about this treatment is that it is a maintenance free fire retardant. Since some cladding has a height of 42 meters this was one of the requirements of timber.
Primary School + Social Housing Project, Amsterdam NL
Paul de Ruiter Architects designed a new façade concept for a new community school and a wide range of high-qualified houses and flats. A specific design detail was a wooden construction for a Green Living Façade that could support climbing plants. This green wall will be completely covered with vegetation. Conventional solutions are constructed with materials such as steel, concrete or plastics. The application of renewable and bio-based materials was not possible due to specifications related to sustainability, durability and fire safety. NobelWood® provided the technical specifications necessary to apply wood in the construction. \
In order to comply with construction safety standards it needed a fire retardant treatment. This will reduce potential heat release, flame spread and smoke generation. Due to maintenance restrictions it is not possible to use a coating system to prevent weathering of the fire resistant treatment. It was necessary to use a polymer based formulation that is compatible with the timber products. NobelWood® is compatible with SafeWood® select, a polymer based fire retardant.
