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Yellow birch fire-protection using polyelectrolytes complexes
2020 - IRG/WP 20-30755
Fire protection has been a major challenge in wood construction for many years. The demand for high-performance, environmentally friendly treatments respecting the physical and chemical characteristics of the material has been accentuated in recent years. Halogenated fire-retardant (FR) compounds were commonly used from the 70’s for their low-cost and high efficiency. They are able to form radic...
M Soula, F Samyn, S Duquesne, V Landry


Self-regulating heating cables for conductive heat transfer in pest control
2020 - IRG/WP 20-40895
Pest control by means of conductive heating of wooden elements requires considerable measuring and control efforts in order to avoid overheating of wooden surfaces, damage of structural elements and risk of fire. The usage of self-regulating heating cables might overcome such problems. In laboratory tests and under real conditions the applicability of self-regulating heating cables is tested with ...
J Müller, E Melcher, J Welling


Occurrence of synanthropic beetles (Coleoptera Ptinidae) and checkered beetles (Coleoptera Cleridae) in relation to climatic factors in historical buildings from North-Eastern Germany
2021 - IRG/WP 21-10980
Predatory checkered beetles occur in many historical buildings. Thus, it is essential to learn more about the ecology of these beetles, specifically for their further use as suitable beneficial organisms in biological control of wood-destroying insects. In this study, indoor climatic conditions were examined as a major factor influencing their occurrence and that of their prey Anobium punctatum an...
C Baar, C von Laar, M Willert, H Bombeck


Development of Wooden Fireproof Structures for Mid- and High-rise Buildings in Japan
2021 - IRG/WP 21-30757
When constructing a mid-to-high-rise building more than 4 stories in general in Japan, it is necessary to have a fireproof structure stipulated by the Building Standard Law. The performance required as a fireproof structure in Japan is generally stricter than in other countries, and it is required to be structurally sound after a fire even without fire extinguishing activities. In order to satisfy...
D Kamikawa, M Harada, H Matsunaga, R Takase, N Hattori, Keisuke Ando, M Miyabayashi


Impact of wetting agents on polyelectrolyte complex impregnation for wood fire-retardancy
2022 - IRG/WP 22-30768
Wood fire performance is a great concern in interior finishing due to the high risk of flame spread. To increase the use of wood in high building while ensuring the safety of building occupants, fire retardant (FR) treatments are required. Traditionally, two fireproofing strategies are employed: impregnation and coatings. They have been widely studied but they, respectively, are time and chemicals...
M Soula, J B Grenier, S Duquesne, F Samyn, V Landry


Green approach in wood mineralization for improvement of fire properties
2022 - IRG/WP 22-30769
Various treatments have been developed in order to improve fire properties of wood. Because the use of some flame retardants can release toxic compounds in the event of a fire, leading to poisoning or even death of people from smoke inhalation, the use of no-toxic and more ecologically acceptable flame retardants is preferable. Mineralization of wood with the incorporation of carbonates has proven...
A Pondelak, R Repič, L Škrlep, N Knez, F Knez, A S Škapin


Effects of Borax and Boric Acid as Fire Retardants on the Resistance of Pterygota macrocarpa Wood to Fire Tests
2022 - IRG/WP 22-30770
The combustible nature of wood as a building material, when exposed to hazards of fire underscores the reason for fire retardant treatments. Pterygota macrocarpa wood is commonly used by builders in Nigeria for roof and other structural applications. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the effect of Borax and Boric acid on the fire-retardant properties of P. macrocarpa wood. Wood sampl...
J M Owoyemi, O Apogbona, T O Akinwamide


Comparative study of the properties of silicate coatings with different mineral pigments (titanium dioxide, iron (III) oxide, copper (II) oxide) on the surface of wood
2022 - IRG/WP 22-40936
Silicate coatings are attractive alternatives to conventional organic-based coatings for wood protection. In this work, silicate coatings were prepared with a potassium silicate binder modified with a methyl siliconate solution, and three types of mineral pigments titanium dioxide, iron (III) oxide and copper (II) oxide. The coatings were applied on beech wood and cured under ambient conditions. T...
A M Cheumani Yona, M Petrič


Premature adhesion failure of exterior wood coatings – The influence of substrate temperature at coating application and moisture accumulation during storage
2022 - IRG/WP 22-40937
The present study aimed at extending the knowledge about premature coating failures of industrially finished wood cladding. Two potential factors were studied: the influence of substrate temperature at coating application and moisture accumulation during storage on the adhesion of waterborne coating systems. In the first experiment, 4 batches of wood specimens were submitted to 4 different tempera...
U Hundhausen


Effect of densification of Eucalyptus nitens and E. obliqua on moisture uptake, swelling, decay resistance, and fire performance
2022 - IRG/WP 22-40946
Some Australian Eucalyptus species that are abundantly available have low natural durability and poor resistance to fire. These same species are also extremely difficult to treat with preservatives or fire retardants using conventional pressure treatment methods due to a large proportion of refractory heartwood. The aim of this research was to understand whether thermo-mechanical densification had...
B Hassan, J J Morrell, F Wiesner, W Wu, B Belleville, K C Wood


A Comparison of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Floor Panels using Finite Element Analysis and Experimental Fire Testing
2022 - IRG/WP 22-40955
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a relatively new timber product and has gained popularity in North America and Europe as a construction material. As a sustainable engineered timber product, CLT offers many advantages over solid wood, concrete, or steel construction. However, the use of timber in medium to high rise buildings is often avoided mainly due to its combustible nature. In this paper, a n...
M Yasir, A Macilwraith, K Ruane


Susceptibility of selected Australian commercial timbers to West Indian drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11003
West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is a globally distributed timber pest and is invasive in Queensland, Australia, causing widespread damage to structures and large economic impacts in control and repair costs. Despite this, the knowledge of which specific timbers are susceptible to attack is limited and requires investigation. Two six-week feeding trials were performed, exposing se...
W Haigh, R A Hayes, B Hassan


Subterranean termite control management in urban areas in Spain. Example of management in the old town of Vigo, Spain
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11006
Termites are wood destroying insects always present in the nature with an important wood decomposition function. In Europe, they are mainly located in the Mediterranean area. In Spain, termites are an important problem in urban areas. It is estimated about 80% of old historic towns in Spain are affected by subterranean termite attacks and it is the most important damage in wood structures and wood...
D Lorenzo, A Lozano, M Touza, J Benito


Japanese traditional wooden building construction project in Bangkok - Part 2 Verification of termite control method
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11022
We have confirmed the effectiveness in Thailand of chemicals and stainless steel mesh that have been proven effective in Japan. Stake and container tests were conducted and the following results were obtained: 1. There is no damage on specimens covered with stainless steel mesh, CuAz-treated specimens both stake test and container test. 2. Natural pyrethrin-treated specimens without stainless ...
H Ishiyama, S Murakami


Recent studies into improved fire retardancy of wood undertaken at Luleå University of Technology
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30784
Modern construction is moving more towards engineered wood products, such as glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT). This increase is driven by the aspiration to deliver high-rise buildings with enhanced environmental profiles and human well-being. This desire to use wood in construction is pushing the need for fire treatments capable of meeting a products service life. However, the use of wood ...
D Jones, C-F Lin, I Kim, E Garskaite, O Karlsson, D Sandberg


Identifying compatible waterborne timber preservatives and fire retardants for use in a VPI system: a practical approach
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30796
To enhance the use and suitability of timber in all applications in both exterior and interior settings, timber typically needs to be treated with a preservative and/or a fire retardant chemical. Combining fire retardants with preservatives into a single treatment process has been a long-term aim of researchers in the timber preservative industry because of the significant logistic and economic ad...
R Robinson, S Meldrum


Control of Asian subterranean termites Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodae: Rhinotermitidae) by a new generation bait system with vegetal extracts-diflubenzuron mixture
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30797
The efficacy of anti-termite bait pebble dosed at 0.3% w/w of Diflubenzuron, and Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor (CSI) and 0.6% w/w of vegetal extract from Berkem Biosolutions®, was evaluated in the laboratory on the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four concentrations 33.3%, 50%, 50% bis and 100% as well as two neutral matrices, were used in two in-house developed test method...
F Chopinet, D Messaoudi


Investigating the fire properties of a composite material made of MDF-residues, citric acid and sorbitol
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40969
In times of climate change and a shortage of energy and raw materials, it has become apparent, that material reuse of wood in a cascade system can reduce the ecological impact of a material and be cost effective. A new composite material has been developed made from citric acid, sorbitol, water and waste MDF. Not only will there be a material reuse option for waste MDF but due to the small particl...
P T Lewandowski, W Perdoch, E Larnoy, H Militz


Multi-scale Experimental Study on Self-sustained Smouldering of CCA-treated Timber Poles
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40988
While it is accepted that appropriate treatment with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) will extend the design life of wood markedly, there are concerns regarding the effect of treatment on fire performance. Smouldering combustion in CCA-treated timber infrastructure can self-sustain, destroying the timber elements, as the chromium and copper present in the CCA can act as catalysts of the smouldering...
W Wu, L Yerman, J J Morrell, F Wiesner


Enhanced durability of bio-based materials for green building
2023 - IRG/WP 23-50382
Wood protection technologies provide tools to enhance the durability of bio-based materials for green building. Both wood and related bio-based material are regarded as eminent for green building. It allows to underpin several of the United Nations sustainable development goals and is regarded critical for the Green Deal objectives of the EU. Nevertheless, to enhance the potential it needs to be b...
J Van Acker, L De Ligne, J Vand den Bulcke


Prevention of termite tubing on foam insulation materials
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11039
Foam insulation products have been shown to be damaged by termites who can readily tunnel within it and use it as a conduit within structures. Different types of commercially available foam insulation were tested to see if they could support termite (Coptotermes formosanus, Shiraki) tunnelling on or within them and whether they could be used as a conduit to access a wood food source placed above i...
Q Wu, J Curole, J D Lloyd


Investigating moisture dynamics and fungal decay risk: integrating X-ray CT visualization and simulation benchmarks through a Fungal Control Unit
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11045
Wood is susceptible to fungal attack and over time the structural integrity can be compromised. This risk is of course strongly related to moisture dynamics, as moisture is needed for fungal growth. While existing methodologies, such as lab and field tests, provide valuable insights into wood decay, they often fall short in replicating real-life conditions, particularly within the intricacies of t...
J Van den Bulcke, J Van Acker, M Delbeke, A Blommaert, N Van Den Bossche, M Steeman, L De Ligne


Efficacy performance of Pea Extract as bait toxicant for termite control in Reunion Island
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11050
This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of Pisum sativum L., extract (Pea Extract) for the subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Yellow field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are particularly rich in protein. A solid-liquid hydroalcoholic extraction process was employed on the dried form of pea seeds to obtain one particular peptide PA1b (Pea Albumin 1, subunit...
J Vuillemin, D Messaoudi, A Robert, P da Silva


Effects of phosphoric acid and diammonium phosphate treatments on the physical and fire-retardant properties of five selected Nigerian wood species
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20713
Wooden products in buildings are major sources of fuel for fire outbreaks. Effects of phosphoric acid and diammonium phosphate treatments on the physical and fire-retardant properties of wood species commonly used in buildings were evaluated. The timber species utilized in this study were sourced from the sawmill sector located in Akure, Nigeria, encompassing Brachystegia laurentii, Khaya ivorensi...
J Owoyemi, T O Akinwamide, O M Ibrahim, E A Iyiola


Binder-free, fire-resistant, light-weight fiberboard materials encrusted with expandable graphite and borax
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20714
Despite abundant data on innovative fire protection technologies tailored for wood and lignocellulosic materials, the prevailing approach revolves around the formulation of fire retardant solutions employing water-soluble salts, e.g., phosphorus or boron compounds. On the other hand, additives fostering the formation of a char layer during the combustion of lignocellulosic materials as a non-leach...
W Perdoch, W Grześkowiak, B Mazela


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