What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (2024)

By Bill Christou, 10/25/19

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (1)

Usually, when people think of fire-rated decking, hardwood decking is not the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, it may very well be the farthest from their mind.

Now, companies like Nova USA Wood Products work hard to bring their clients beautiful, sustainable, fire-resistant wood decking. While they offer various fire-resistant decking options, the star product is their Batu hardwood decking. Here is what you should know about fire-resistant decking in general and why Nova USA Wood Products' Batu wood decking is the best fire-resistant decking on the market today.

What is Class A Fire Rated Decking?

Essentially, a fire rating is used to denote how fire-resistant a product is. Products undergo rigorous testing to determine how well the product will hold up against high temperatures and real fires. Every product has a chance to earn anywhere from Class C (the lowest rating) to Class A (the highest rating).

In order to earn the distinction of Class A fire-rated decking, the deck material must pass several intense tests. During these tests, the decking product being tested is placed on a non-combustible surface and then exposed to a flame.

In order to receive their fire rating, products are tested to see how long they last prior to igniting into flames. For Class A fire rated decking, it would mean the material lasted 2 to 4 hours before finally igniting.

Why Fire Rated Decking Is Important

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (2)

You want to invest in products that have a Class A fire rating, as it means your home and property will be better protected from potential fires. In some cases, extreme heat even has the potential to cause a fire to start, which is why having fire-resistant wood decking is so critical.

It's also essential to consider that the building codes for some states, such as the state of California, require residents to use only Class A fire-resistant materials on their homes due to the wildfires that occur regularly. Therefore, the higher the fire rating you select for your decking material, the safer it will be

Batu Fire-Retardant Wood Decking

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (3)

Nova USA Wood Products has several wood decking options. Both Ipe and Cumaru hardwoods are rated for fire-resistance, but their Batu wood decking stands out from the rest due to its Class A fire rating. The Batu fire-retardant rating also exceeds that of other softwoods as much as five times over, making it an incredibly durable option.

Batu wood earns the distinction of Class A fire-resistant decking due to the naturally occurring silica that is present within the wood itself. Because of this silica, Batu wood meets, and even exceeds in some cases, most of the fire rating criteria set forth by various building codes.

Benefits of Batu Fire-Resistant Wood Decking

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (4)

Besides meeting even the strictest fire-retardant wood decking requirements set forth by the California Building Code, Nova USA Wood Products' Batu decking has several other benefits that make it such a great option.

The Batu wood is a beautiful natural wood from Southeast Asia that has a rich red color and is kiln-dried to provide maximum product stability. In addition, it is both rot and insect-resistant.

Batu decking is also three times harder than Douglas fir and seven times harder than Cedar, making it one of the most highly durable hardwood decking options available on the market. It's a low-maintenance option with a life expectancy of 50 years or more.

Invest in Fire-Resistant Wood for Your Deck

Wood decking has always been a popular decking option in the past. But, with the fear of fires, many people have begun to seek alternatives, when they don't need to. All that is needed is a fire-resistant wood material.

Nova USA Wood Products offers beautiful, sustainably sourced Batu wood decking that has a Class A fire rating, ensuring it passes the California Building Code requirements for San Diego County. Beyond that, Batu has countless other benefits that make it a highly durable and easy-to-maintain option that everyone will love.

For more information about Batu wood decking, visit our website or click here to contact us with your questions.

By Bill Christou, 10/25/19

"Is batu wood red Balau?"

By Michael Scott on 02/06/21

"Discover the ultimate solution for fire safety with our Fire Retardant Coatings. Our comprehensive guide addresses all your burning questions, providing insights into application, effectiveness, and more. With our innovative coatings, you can protect your property and loved ones from the threat of fire, without compromising on aesthetics. Find peace of mind knowing you have the best defense against flames.Vijay Systems Explore our guide today and safeguard your environment with confidence." https://www.vijaysystems.com/"

By yashsinha on 03/22/24

Comments?
Display Name:
Contact Email:

please be respectful of others' opinions and do not use profanity.

comments may be edited for objectionable content.

Email addresses are not publicly posted, and are used to follow up directly with your comment as needed.

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Fire-Resistant Wood Decking & Why Do You Need It? ›

Resists igniting Ignition-resistant decking is less likely to catch fire compared to traditional wood and composite decking. Slower flame spread

flame spread
Smoke-developed index (abbreviated SDI) is a measure of the concentration of smoke a material emits as it burns. Like the Flame Spread Index, it is based on an arbitrary scale in which asbestos-cement board has a value of 0, and red oak wood has 100.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Smoke-developed_index
If a fire starts, it won't spread as quickly. This could help contain the fire and prevent it from rapidly spreading to other areas.

What is fire-resistant decking? ›

In comparison to wood, composite decking is often a better choice for fire-prone areas. Composite decking is made of a mixture of wood and plastic fibers, making it less susceptible to flame spread than many types of wood.

What wood is fire rated for decks? ›

Pressure-Treated Wood

Wood impregnated with flame-retardant chemicals, like this Exterior Fire-X lumber from Hoover, is an economical choice for a fire-resistant deck. Hoover's treated southern yellow pine scores a 15 in flame-spread testing (25 or below gets a Class A rating).

How to make a wood deck fire-resistant? ›

To make an existing deck more fireproof, use a flame-retardant spray. You might also add metal sheathing around the base timbers to create more fire-resistant decks. Ask your local home improvement professional for the best recommendation.

What is fire-resistant wood? ›

Fire Resistant Lumber or Plywood

The cut wood is first kiln-dried and then pressure treated with fire-retardant chemicals. This high-pressure system is used to infuse the fire-retardant chemical into the wood to fully incorporate it into the wood's structure.

Does decking need to be fire rated? ›

Instead, for your project, you must specify Class A fire-rated decking. This is so you can avoid any remedial actions in the event of a fire inspection. In choosing fire rated decking materials, you'll know that the project is both safe and compliant.

Is IPE wood fire-resistant? ›

Ipe is resistant to moisture, insects, and fire and can last for up to 75 years.

Is IPE decking worth the cost? ›

Table of Contents. Installing an ipe wood deck typically costs between $8 and $20 per square foot, but most homeowners will pay around $20 per square foot for the highest quality materials. Ipe is a high-end decking material, so it costs more than many alternatives, but it's also incredibly strong and durable.

Is Trex decking fire proof? ›

Is Trex fire resistant? Nothing is more important than your safety outdoors. At Trex, we do everything we can to ensure it. Our Transcend and Select decking lines retain a Class B fire rating, while our Enhance decking lines retain a Class C fire rating; however, they are not fireproof.

Can you burn fire-resistant wood? ›

Of course, burning fire retardant wood is not advised, since even at the end of its service life, it still retain is protective qualities against fire. However, it can be burned in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

What is better fireproof or fire-resistant? ›

The terms fire resistant vs fireproof is often used interchangeably since they mean essentially the same thing. When talking about the difference between fireproof and fire resistant, both terms allude to a material's resistance to flame and high temperatures.

How do you know if wood is fire-rated? ›

Examine the Wood

The International Building Code has mandated the sale and labeling of fire-rated plywood that requires a visible stamp to be added to each piece. Usually, this stamp will be applied with black ink in a rectangular shape to be easily identifiable.

How to make wood fire-resistant? ›

Redirecting pyrolysis: Fire retardants can be used to change the pathway of pyrolysis in wood. This is a relatively quick and inexpensive method. Fire retardants are a chemical treatment for a substrate that can be used to slow down the spread of fire across a substrate. This includes wood.

Is Trex decking fire resistant? ›

Is Trex fire resistant? Nothing is more important than your safety outdoors. At Trex, we do everything we can to ensure it. Our Transcend and Select decking lines retain a Class B fire rating, while our Enhance decking lines retain a Class C fire rating; however, they are not fireproof.

What decking material has a class A fire rating? ›

Mataverde Ipe hardwood, Mataverde Cumaru hardwood and FSC® Certified Mataverde Machiche, Mataverde Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) hardwood all surpassed the E84 fire test criteria earning them a 'Class A' fire rating.

Is PVC decking fire resistant? ›

TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking is one step you can take. Our Vintage and Landmark Collections have an Ignition Resistant designation and a best-in-class flame spread rating – Class A – which means they burn at a slower rate and are unlikely to contribute to aggressive flame spread.

Will a fire pit burn my decking? ›

Even most of the heat from your fire pit travels upwards, a lot of heat will also radiate down towards the decking, which can scorch or burn the deck. This will cause unsightly damage to the surface, structural weakness in the boards, or worse.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5817

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.