Standardization News

ASTM International’s wood committee (D07) has created a comprehensive standardized practice for evaluating fire-retardant-treated laminated veneer lumber (FRT LVL). This practice (soon to be published as D8223) will help test laminated veneer lumber under both normal environmental conditions and extended exposure to high temperature.

ASTM International member Borjen Yeh of APA-The Engineered Wood Association says, “This standard can be important for helping protect the lives of building occupants when fires break out.” 

Yeh adds that FRT LVL is becoming more frequently used for exterior walls that are known as “Type III” construction in the International Building Code, which requires the wood products to be fire-retardant-treated.

Having a standard will help FRT LVL manufacturers, fire-retardant treatment companies, regulatory bodies, and building designers to properly evaluate the FRT LVL before certification, he says.

The wood committee is planning to create a similar standard for fire-retardant-treated structural glued laminated timber (glulam).

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of the wood committee is Oct. 9 at Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. 

To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).