American Plywood Association Publishes Technical Notes on FRT Plywood (Fire-Retardant-Treated Plywood

Fire resistant construction is a big part of the building code, and new technologies have given us Plywood that has been treated to be fire retardant.
The APA has just published a Technical Note on the product and the Notes contain some excellent information on this product.

Fire-retardant-treated plywood is pressure impregnated with chemicals to permanently inhibit combustion. This qualifies it for a lower flame-spread rating and smoke developed index, and reduces it's fire-hazard classification. When it is identified as such by a code recof=gnized testing agency label, it is rated on parity with non combustible construction by many insurance rating bureaus.

This type of fire retardant material may well find it's way into our industry...I wonder if it has the same qualities as regular plywood does?

So click our headline to download and read this APA produced Technical Note and learn more about this new product. It could be that you'll find it someday on one of your next jobs if your a contractor...

Please Take a Moment for one Minute of Silence for the Victims of Australia's Wildfires...

Just like California and the west, Australia is a land of little rain.

As I'm sure you've heard, many people have perished in the most horrible of ways from arsonists lighting fires that have become monsters of flames that are incinerating everything that burns.

Please take a minute of silence to say a prayer or however you wish to think of those who have lost their lives down under...God knows it could be our home or our life's next time that is in danger...may the person or persons who may be responsible be caught and brought to justice.

WHY USE PLYWOOD WHEN OSB IS CHEAPER? Read this piece and you'll see why Fire Rated Construction maybe uses plywood for a reason...

Hey, I always want plywood on my decks for sheathing...and a lot of guys bitch about it, cause plywood costs more. But deck coating manufacturers stipulate plywood for a reason, and here's a good enough one for me...

when it comes to fire, using the best fire resistant materials I can is my goal.

Click the headline to read about other construction methods and materials that may cause fire to spread or make it more difficult to fight.

They All Fall Down

Critical Fireground Factors for New Residential Construction

by John Brunacini

The majority of all new residential construction uses lightweight construction materials. Let’s take a look at the different features of this construction type that directly effect the decision making process of firefighting strategy and tactics at these structures.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is now the construction industry’s predominate sheeting material; it has replaced plywood for roof decking, flooring decks and siding. OSB is assembled by gluing together small pieces of wood and wood chips at extreme pressures. After curing, they are cut into shapes (usually 4' x 8' sheets measuring 3/8" to ½" thick). OSB is structurally sound, cheaper and more readily available than plywood. But like a lightweight truss, it also fails much faster under fire conditions. The glues and resins that hold OSB together start to decompose rapidly at relatively low temperatures (+300°F). These moderate temperatures will decompose the adhesives holding the wood chips together, and the sheet will quickly delaminate (fall apart). The released glue and resin vapors are also very flammable and contribute to the combustion process. This phenomenon is causing faster attic flash-over times and quicker roof failure times once the fire has entered into the truss space.

Good Video From Peter in Melbourne! Balcony Waterproofing Australia Style

I saw this video while surfing You Tube and it's a very good clip on waterproofing a balcony for a tile finish. It's production is great, it shows us clearly the steps and methods used (there's a lot) and shows the final tile deck. A nice job and a good educational film that maybe one of us will see something that would work better here? Or vice versa, an exchange of ideas on deck waterproofing from voices all over the globe...imagine the possibilities.

Click and watch it, click our headline to go to You Tube to see all of Peter's videos.

Tell em G'day for us...

From the RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL- Nevada contractors want defect laws changed

This article on construction defect's repair process in Nevada came out yesterday...

Homeowners, contractors and subcontractors gave state lawmakers varying viewpoints on Nevada's law governing construction defects, though most were of the opinion that the law needs to be adjusted.

"I think there is a little tweaking that is going to have to be done," said state Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that received the testimony during a hearing about construction defect laws and Chapter 40 of state law.

"The Chapter 40 process is slow, expensive and isn't working," said Josh Griffin, representing the MGM Mirage that is building a

2,392-unit residential project in Las Vegas.

Steve Hill, chairman of the Construction Coalition, agreed.

"Chapter 40 is such a convoluted process; it does more harm than good," he said.

Three homeowners who used the Chapter 40 process to have construction defects fixed on their properties said it is invaluable.

David Babel of Reno said he received no satisfaction from the builder of his home despite phone calls and face-to-face meetings but was able to get his home fixed with the Chapter 40 process.

Read the rest of the article by clicking on our headline!

RCI Offers 2009 California Energy Code Update-Low and Steep Sloped Roofing and The Building Envelope

So Cal Chapter of RCI, Inc.

2009 California Energy Code Update Low and Steep-Sloped Roofing and the Building Envelope Now offered in two locations: SAN FRANCISCO, CA Monday, March 2, 200 Pacific Energy Center 851 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 973-2277 SAN DIEGO, CA Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Holiday Inn on the Bay 1355 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 (800) 877-8920 Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope The focus of this portion of the program will be on new requirements involving the inclusion of roofing for residential and certain institutional entities and the new requirements for sloped roofing, shingles, tiles and metal panels. Both of these areas where previously excluded from Title 24 Cool Roof requirements. The last topic for Title 24 Cool Roofs, will be the 3 year progress updates on how the reflectivity of Cool Roofs has played out in the field and how it will impact any revised requirements. Speakers: John A. Goveia, President of Pacific Building Consultants, Inc. and Philip D. Dregger PE RRC FRCI, President of Technical Roof Services, Inc. This program will also provide an overview the current '05 T-24 California Energy Efficiency Standards impacting nonresidential buildings with '09 energy code changes to watch for that impact a nonresidential building's envelope, particularly energy issues for both new and existing roofs. The seminar will include a current standards overview of relative building energy impacts for a generic building's roof R-value options and "Cool" roof initial reflectance and initial emittance specifications, and how those overall building energy budget impacts might effect how proactively you approach building energy features upgrade options with roofing performance improvements. Speaker: Ken Miller, President, Energy Compliance Systems, Inc. Continuing Education Credits RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) from RCI 5 AIA Learning Units (LUs) from the American Institute of Architects 5 Registration and Location Registration Time: 12:30 pm Program: 1 pm to 7 pm An afternoon break and dinner will be provided Registration Fees: RCI / AIA / CREIA / WESTCON / SDRCA Member: $120 Non-Member: $145 Parking: Pacific Energy Center: Holiday Inn on the Bay: Self $10 Valet $17 Location: MARCH 2, 2009 Pacific Energy Center 851 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 973-2277 MARCH 3, 2009 Holiday Inn on the Bay 1355 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 (800) 877-8920 To register, go to www.RCISoCalChapter.org Questions call: 866/914-4RCI