State of the art paper: Effects of fire-retardant treatments on chemistry and engineering properties of wood

This review provides a fundamental understanding of the factors dictating the effects of FR treatments on wood properties, both initial processing effects and in-service effects, when exposed to elevated temperatures. By reviewing the results of a comprehensive series of research studies, this review has shown that the effects of long-term thermal exposure on wood products (treated, untreated, and/or veneered composites) are a complex function of wood composition, acidity of chemicals used to treat the products, temperatures used in various preand posttreatment processing conditions, material size and species, and in-service exposure conditions and durations. To better predict these effects, standards were developed to assess initial and in-service performance. Alternative technologies were also developed, aimed at extending the service life of wood used as structural systems. Also, new analytical tools for providing a more accurate condition assessment and models for predicting residual serviceability were developed. In summary, these developments have increased the utility and serviceability of wood-based structures, increased the reliability and long-term efficiency of such structures, and decreased their environmental footprints by making existing products last longer, thereby decreasing the need for replacement products.