If you have paid attention to historical buildings, you must have noticed that wood was used in the construction of many of them. From this, we can conclude that in the past, experienced architects knew that wood is resistant to many damages and has the ability to remain healthy for years. One of the dangers that may threaten a building is the danger of fire. Some think that in the event of a fire, the wood may not be resistant and cause a lot of damage to the structure. But we must say that it is not so. Sometimes wood is more resistant than steel. In this article, we will recount the reasons for this claim. Stay with us.
Characteristics of fire resistant wood
Undoubtedly, it is true that wood has a high resistance to heat. But we need to know what type of wood will be more resistant. In case of fire and high temperature, the outer layer of wood burns quickly. But charcoal is formed around the core or heart of wood, which has a lower heat transfer coefficient, thus reducing the speed of fire and damaging the structure. Based on these materials, it can be said that it is very important to use heavy, thick and soft timber. The stronger and larger the wood used in the building is, the less likely it is to be damaged. In addition, hard woods have less gum and therefore burn more slowly. But soft woods have more gum and will naturally burn faster.
Fire prevention solution in wooden structures
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Location and connections:
Different types of joints are used to connect wooden components in structures. In some cases, metal connections are used, and in others, wooden connections are used. In case of fire, metal parts react to heat and change their shape much faster than wooden parts. In this case, the foundation of the structure will suffer more damage. But it can be delayed by using wooden joints.
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Spraying fire protection materials:
Today, there are many ways to prevent fires. Using fire protection materials is one of these solutions. Using protective materials based on plaster and cement or fire-resistant paints can be a good option. By doing these things and using these materials, you can easily protect the wooden structure against fire.
Conclusion
Compared to steel or concrete structures, wooden structures are more resistant to fire and high heat. Because they change shape more slowly. When wood burns, its outer layer burns and then layers of charcoal are formed on the surface of the wood, which also prevents burning. But despite all these advantages, there are solutions that can provide more resistance to wood, which we have explained in previous articles.