FAQS
OUR PRODUCTS
Are all fire retardants for timber the same?
The short answer to this NO.
At HALT we utilise an environmentally friendly, 100% biodegradable fire retardant, which has A+ VOC emission rating. Some other fire retardants available contain borate, which appears on the REACH SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) list, making them toxic.
At HALT we utilise an environmentally friendly, 100% biodegradable fire retardant, which has A+ VOC emission rating. Some other fire retardants available contain borate, which appears on the REACH SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) list, making them toxic.
Is the Fire Retardant Treatment toxic?
NO.
The fire retardant we use, Bunblock© is the only CRADLE-to-CRADLE certified fire retardant on the market. It has been independently tested by various laboratories. NONE of the ingredients are found on the REACH SVHC list. The ingredients are 100% natural, being found in nature in there elemental form, is fully biodegradable and has been awarded an A+ attestation for VOC emission. This means you can have complete peace of mind knowing you are not introducing a toxic chemical into your project that may affect the end user in years to come.
The fire retardant we use, Bunblock© is the only CRADLE-to-CRADLE certified fire retardant on the market. It has been independently tested by various laboratories. NONE of the ingredients are found on the REACH SVHC list. The ingredients are 100% natural, being found in nature in there elemental form, is fully biodegradable and has been awarded an A+ attestation for VOC emission. This means you can have complete peace of mind knowing you are not introducing a toxic chemical into your project that may affect the end user in years to come.
Do HALT provide pre-treated timbers?
Yes. HALT offers a selection of pre-treated fire proof timbers, readily available for immediate order.Our timbers are expertly treated to meet stringent industry standards, ensuring superior performance for a variety of applications.With our pre-treated options, you can streamline your project with high-quality materials ready for prompt delivery.
Are HALT products available to purchase through other timber suppliers?
Yes. HALT have partnered with some of the leading timber suppliers and distributors across the UK and Ireland. Pre-treated sheet materials, cladding and reclaimed timber are available to purchase from each of these partners. Visit our partners page for more information.
IMPREGNATION PROCESS
How does the treatment process work?
HALT applies a highly effective and non-toxic fire retardant from our partners BURNBLOCK®, consisting of only natural ingredients combined in a patented formula.
This process effectively prevents oxygen from reaching the treated object – and without oxygen: no fire.Once absorbed by the treated material, a surface remains that can char and release water upon application of heat.This process absorbs a portion of the heat and helps prevent further occurrence and spread of fire. Watch a full video on our treatment process here.
This process effectively prevents oxygen from reaching the treated object – and without oxygen: no fire.Once absorbed by the treated material, a surface remains that can char and release water upon application of heat.This process absorbs a portion of the heat and helps prevent further occurrence and spread of fire. Watch a full video on our treatment process here.
Can timber be cut to size after treatment?
Yes. HALT’s treatment process is a homogenous, through and through process – meaning treatment changes the cell structure of the timber. So, once treated it can be cut, drilled or sanded as needed without losing its fire protection.
Does it need reapplied?
Unlike a surface applied FR coating, which does need reapplied according to the maintenance schedule provided, HALT’s impregnation treatment, once complete, does not reed to be reapplied.
The fire retardant we use is deposited into the cell structure of the wood, and will stay there until the wood decays.
The fire retardant we use is deposited into the cell structure of the wood, and will stay there until the wood decays.
Is there a minimum order size you can treat?
We can accommodate up to 5.8m lengths. We do have a minimum order quantity of 30m3, but will try to find a solution for smaller order where we can group in the kilns with other smaller orders. This may increase lead times.
Can timber be treated if it has already been fitted on site?
No. Timber must be impregnated in our autoclave at our Belfast facility, therefore it needs to be treated before it is installed on site.
What cladding thicknesses are available?
Cladding thickness is dictated by the minimum thickness we have tested. This is currently at 15mm, though standard thicknesses used are 18/19mm.
DOCUMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS
What is the Construction Products Register?
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) lays down harmonised rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. The Regulation provides a common technical language to assess the performance of construction products. It ensures that reliable information is available to professionals, public authorities, and consumers, so they can compare the performance of products from different manufacturers in different countries.
Halt provide a CE and UKCA certified treatment process for FR timber products. This means that we can provide a CE or UKCA certificate, making is easy for our customers to enhance the CE or UKCA mark of the product they are selling.
Halt provide a CE and UKCA certified treatment process for FR timber products. This means that we can provide a CE or UKCA certificate, making is easy for our customers to enhance the CE or UKCA mark of the product they are selling.
What documentation do I need for compliance?
When purchasing and installing FR products, you should ALWAYS be asking for Declaration of Performance (DOP) of the product you are using. The DOP is a key part of the CPR. It provides information on the performance of a product and includes references to the classification of the product along with typical installation parameters.
In addition, we would recommend asking if the FR product being supplied has been tested on the material you intend using it on.
At HALT we only provide FR timber species that have been fully tested, so we can provide the correct documentation for each species. Different timber species, based on their density and cell structure, react differently when subjected to fire. There isn’t a one size fits all solution to fire safety in timber products. Ensure that you are completely satisfied with the technical advice you are given, and that the essential documentation is provided.
In addition, we would recommend asking if the FR product being supplied has been tested on the material you intend using it on.
At HALT we only provide FR timber species that have been fully tested, so we can provide the correct documentation for each species. Different timber species, based on their density and cell structure, react differently when subjected to fire. There isn’t a one size fits all solution to fire safety in timber products. Ensure that you are completely satisfied with the technical advice you are given, and that the essential documentation is provided.
Does HALT’s treatment process cover surface spread of flame?
YES, but in addition to this, at HALT we test all our wood species independently in accordance with the European harmonised standard EN1350-1:2020. This standard sets out the testing methodology and subsequent fire rating of construction products with a EUROCLASS rating which not only cover surface spread of flame, it also measures:
• Reaction to fire of the material, assessing its overall contribution to the fire.
• Smoke production.
• Presence of burning droplets.
A Euroclass rating of b,s1-d0 provides much more than just surface spread of flame.
• Reaction to fire of the material, assessing its overall contribution to the fire.
• Smoke production.
• Presence of burning droplets.
A Euroclass rating of b,s1-d0 provides much more than just surface spread of flame.
Is tongue and groove an option?
Yes, many of the species we have tested have been tested as T&G. The key element to this is that when the two panels are joined, they form a continuous lining.
What is the Euroclass system?
A single classification system exists for all EU member states and has introduced a common method for comparing the Reaction to Fire performance of construction products.
Testing is standardised through the use of EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements. There are seven Reaction to Fire classification levels available – A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F for Wood or wood-based products intended to be used in wall and ceiling constructions, or externally as cladding.
Additional criteria provide information on a product’s tendency to produce smoke and flaming droplets or particles.
For combustible products, of which timber belongs, smoke release is an important consideration and is measured for Reaction to Fire classes A2 to D.
There are three smoke intensity levels: s1, s2 and s3, with s3 being the worst.
Burning droplets/particles can inflict skin burns and cause further spread of fire. Burning droplets/particles are measured for Reaction to Fire classes A2 to E.
There are three classes of burning droplets: d0, d1 and d2, with d2 being the worst.
HALT treated timber species all achieve a Euroclass rating of b,s1-d0.
Testing is standardised through the use of EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements. There are seven Reaction to Fire classification levels available – A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F for Wood or wood-based products intended to be used in wall and ceiling constructions, or externally as cladding.
Additional criteria provide information on a product’s tendency to produce smoke and flaming droplets or particles.
For combustible products, of which timber belongs, smoke release is an important consideration and is measured for Reaction to Fire classes A2 to D.
There are three smoke intensity levels: s1, s2 and s3, with s3 being the worst.
Burning droplets/particles can inflict skin burns and cause further spread of fire. Burning droplets/particles are measured for Reaction to Fire classes A2 to E.
There are three classes of burning droplets: d0, d1 and d2, with d2 being the worst.
HALT treated timber species all achieve a Euroclass rating of b,s1-d0.
MAINTENANCE AND USE
Can you impregnate any timber?
The short answer is YES.
However, each timber species has a very different biological makeup, and therefore will absorb differing amounts of fire retardant subsequently reacting differently in the event of a fire. Therefore, it is essential that each timber species is tested in the correct manner. The timber species we offer at HALT have all been fully tested to the correct standard. We are continually adding to our species list, but only after they have passed the correct testing and classification. As a customer of FR timber, you need to satisfy yourself that you are receiving a product that is fit for purpose, HALT provide this by testing wood species to the correct standard.
However, each timber species has a very different biological makeup, and therefore will absorb differing amounts of fire retardant subsequently reacting differently in the event of a fire. Therefore, it is essential that each timber species is tested in the correct manner. The timber species we offer at HALT have all been fully tested to the correct standard. We are continually adding to our species list, but only after they have passed the correct testing and classification. As a customer of FR timber, you need to satisfy yourself that you are receiving a product that is fit for purpose, HALT provide this by testing wood species to the correct standard.
Can I sand, cut or drill holes in treated timber?
YES.
Unlike every FR coating, which you can only apply to the surface of timber, you can sand impregnated timber without compromising its fire rating. This is down to the fact that we have factory production control which ensure a homogeneous distribution of fire retardant throughout the entire piece of timber receiving the HALT treatment.
In addition to that and because of the even distribution of fire retardant after our process, you can drill holes and make cuts in the timber. The European standard, EN13823, which sets out the testing methodology for the fire test makes allowances for both horizontal and vertical cuts in timber tested.
There is also no requirement to treat cut ends, unlike other FR coatings on the market.
Unlike every FR coating, which you can only apply to the surface of timber, you can sand impregnated timber without compromising its fire rating. This is down to the fact that we have factory production control which ensure a homogeneous distribution of fire retardant throughout the entire piece of timber receiving the HALT treatment.
In addition to that and because of the even distribution of fire retardant after our process, you can drill holes and make cuts in the timber. The European standard, EN13823, which sets out the testing methodology for the fire test makes allowances for both horizontal and vertical cuts in timber tested.
There is also no requirement to treat cut ends, unlike other FR coatings on the market.
What is the appearance of impregnated timber?
The environmentally friendly fire retardant we use at HALT is water based, so in effect there is little or no change to the appearance of timber once impregnated. Certain timber types can have very low PH values or be very high in tannic acid. Occasionally these will react with water and there may be some discolouration during the impregnation process. This is normally only a surface issue and can be removed with light sanding. We provide our customers with advice on how particular timbers may react during the treatment.
Are there any restrictions in how I mount or fix HALT treated timber?
The harmonised standard for the use of wood and wood-based panels In the construction market is clearly defined by EN12915 and EN13986 respectively.
The key element to how a product is fitted on-site is linked directly to how it was tested. When HALT puts forward any new wood species to be tested, the European standards are used for the methods employed during that test. All our products are tested on a ventilated cavity as this closely replicates a typical installation method used on site. This also increases the likely hood that the test will fail, as hot air and combustion gases can build up behind the test article, creating increased fire risk on both sides of the panel.
Wood and wood-based panels that receive the HALT treatment can be mounted both horizontally and vertically with closed joints.
There is also no need to use expensive stainless steel fixings, as the fire retardant we use will not induce corrosion, which will save money on your project.
The key element to how a product is fitted on-site is linked directly to how it was tested. When HALT puts forward any new wood species to be tested, the European standards are used for the methods employed during that test. All our products are tested on a ventilated cavity as this closely replicates a typical installation method used on site. This also increases the likely hood that the test will fail, as hot air and combustion gases can build up behind the test article, creating increased fire risk on both sides of the panel.
Wood and wood-based panels that receive the HALT treatment can be mounted both horizontally and vertically with closed joints.
There is also no need to use expensive stainless steel fixings, as the fire retardant we use will not induce corrosion, which will save money on your project.