Housing project benefits from fire protection technology

Fire safety has been an essential consideration throughout this project and MEDITE SMARTPLY was able to provide and install its specialist, structural OSB panels with reliable reaction to fire properties to provide enhanced fire protection throughout these residential and retail dwellings.

The project was to supply and erect timber frames as part of the design and construction of 104 residential dwellings and three commercial units. Around 3,500 sheets of SMARTPLY MAX FR B were used in the project, covering over 8,900m2.

“We chose SMARTPLY MAX FR B panels for the Cat B buildings and for the decking in Cat C buildings because of its flame retardant properties,” said Emma Barry, project co-ordinator at Gibbs Timber Frame. “Crucially, the product is also suitable for EC5 Design and Cat 1 racking, which is just what we needed.”

SMARTPLY MAX FR B is impregnated during the manufacturing process with non-toxic Zeroignition Solution, which goes into the cellular structure of the engineered wood fibre. This provides reliable reaction to fire properties throughout the thickness of the panel, and unlike some post-treated panels, the same level of protection remains in the section of wood no matter how many times it is cut.

“We have been working with MEDITE SMARTPLY over a number of years to create the Euroclass B Structural OSB product,” said Ian King, chief operating officer at Zeroignition. “Our mission here at Zeroignition is, and always has been, to protect property and save lives.