TimberTech flammability report - TimberTech Barcelona€¦ · TimberTech, Project No. 07CA07514 – November 16, 2007 p. 3 of 14 Underwriters Laboratories Inc. authorizes TimberTech

SPECIAL SERVICES INVESTIGATION TECHNICAL REPORT

on the

INVESTIGATION OF THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS

OF WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITE DECK BOARDS

Project No. 07CA07514, File No. NC9429

Developed For

TimberTech

submitted by

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC. 333 PFINGSTEN ROAD

NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062

November 16, 2007

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

STEVEN CUCULICH THOMAS FABIAN Associate Project Engineer Research Engineer Fire Protection Division Fire, Security & Signaling

TimberTech, Project No. 07CA07514 – November 16, 2007 p. 2 of 14

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. authorizes TimberTech to reproduce this Report provided it is reproduced in its entirety.

TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD-POLYMER

COMPOSITE DECK BOARDS FOR TIMBERTECH

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW 5

TimberTech contacted Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to evaluate the flammability characteristics of a teak wood-polymer composite deck board in response to the recent code activity for deck board flammability requirements in the state of California (Phase II - Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas Building Standards) and San Diego County (proposed Section 26.3.6). Flammability was evaluated in accordance to the California Phase II - Wildland-Urban 10 Interface Fire Areas Building Standards code (California O.S.F.M. Test Standard 12-7A-4 Under-Deck and Class B Burning Brand Exposure tests) and ASTM E1354 cone calorimeter. Test results on the unweathered, unexposed deck boards were as follows:

• Under-Deck test: All of the test decks met the Acceptance Criteria set forth in the 15 California O.S.F.M. Test Standard 12-7A-4 under-deck protocol. The average peak effective net heat release rate (PHRR) was 16.7 ±1.0 kW/ft2 (versus the 25 kW/ft2 limit).

• Class B Burning Brand test: All of the test decks met the Acceptance Criteria set forth in the San Diego County burning brand protocol.

• Cone Calorimeter: The time to ignition (tign) was 94 ±5 s and the peak heat release rate 20 (PHRR) was 178.4 ±1.2 kW/m2 (16.6 ±0.1 kW/ft2).

Cone calorimeter flammability test results from the supplied UV radiation exposed deck board samples were not statistically significantly different from the unexposed, unweathered samples at a 0.05 alpha significance level, with the exception of a reduced ignition time (tign of 83 ±2 s). 25

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate one wood-polymer composite deck board material for flammability characteristics in accordance with:

• California O.S.F.M. Test Standard 12-7A-4 Under-Deck method – triplicate, in an 30 unweathered, unexposed form

• California O.S.F.M. Test Standard 12-7A-4 Burning Brand Exposure method, modified for San Diego County – trip licate, in an unweathered, unexposed form

• ASTM E1354 cone calorimeter – triplicate, in an unweathered, unexposed form • ASTM E1354 cone calorimeter – triplicate, UV exposed 35

The data developed in this project will be used by TimberTech to evaluate the performance of products relative to the above test method(s). It is anticipated that with the data developed from this research project, a new project will be initiated for further product development and certification. 40 Investigations normally conducted by UL involve Classification, Listing or Recognition and Follow-Up Services of proprietary products. However, UL does conduct investigations without Classification, Listing or Recognition in Follow-Up Service when a need for test data in the



interest of public safety has been indicated. Such investigations do not result in specific conclusions, nor any form of Recognition, Listing or Classification of the products involved. It is on this basis that UL will undertake the Special Services Investigation proposed herein.

BACKGROUND REFERENCE 5

The currently approved California Phase II - Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas Building Standards code provides three options for deck surface materials to demonstrate flammability performance compliance. Most wood, wood-polymer composite, and biofiber-polymer composite materials will fall under the requirements specified in “Option 3”:

3. Shall pass the performance requirements of SFM 12-7A-4, Part A, 12-7A-5.7.5, 1 10 only with a net peak heat release rate of 25kW/sq-ft for a 40 minute observation period and: a. Decking surface material shall pass the accelerated weathering test and be

identified as Exterior type, in accordance with UBC Standard 23-4 and; b. The exterior wall covering to which it the deck is attached and within 10 15

(3048 mm) feet of the deck shall be constructed of approved noncombustible or ignition resistant material.

Exception: Walls are not required to comply with this sub-section if the decking surface material conforms to ASTM E-84 Class B flame spread.

The amendment to San Diego County code under consideration by the Building Division 20 (Chapter 3 of Division 5 of Title 3, Division II, Section 26.3.6.) specifies the flammability performance requirements for deck surface materials in section 26.3.6.2 Decking Surfaces. Most untreated wood, wood-polymer composite, and biofiber-polymer composite deck surface materials will fall under the requirements specified in 26.3.6.2.1 Testing of Alternative Deck Materials: 25

Alternative decking materials may be approved when tested to demonstrate passing of the performance requirements of [California] State Fire Marshall standard 12-7A-4. The decking surface shall pass the tests in both Parts A and B of SFM 12-7A-4, however, the burning brand exposure test of Part B may be conducted with a Class “B” sized brand as specified in ASTM E-108 or UL-790. 30

SAMPLES

TimberTech supplied a solid, 5-3/8 inch wide, 1 inch thick, teak wood-polymer composite deck board for testing. 35 Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. did not select the supplied wood-polymer composite deck boards nor determine whether the deck boards are representative of the final production samples. All test results strictly apply only to the evaluated samples.

40



TECHNICAL PLAN

All testing was completed at Underwriters Laboratories’ facility in Northbrook, Illinois. Samples were conditioned for a minimum of four weeks at 73.4 ±5 °F (23 ±2.8 °C) and 50 ±5 % relative humidity prior to fire testing. 5 California SFM Standard 12-7A-4 Fire Resistance Standards for Decks and other Horizontal Ancillary Structures Performance of exposed decks when exposed to direct flames and brands is determined by the Under-Deck Flame Test and Burning Brand Exposure Test methods respectively. The Under-10 Deck Flame exposure test is intended to determine the heat release rate (HRR) and degradation modes of deck or other horizontal boards when exposed to a burner flame simulating combustibles beneath a deck. The Burning Brand Exposure test is intended to determine the degradation modes when exposed to a burning brand on the upper surface. 15 Test deck samples consisted of five 24 inch long boards mechanically fastened to two Douglas fir 2 × 6 joists incorporating a 1/8th inch gap spacing. Moisture content of the joists was measured by electrical resistance.

Part A: Unde r-Deck Flame Test 20 The test deck is placed in a horizontal orientation 27 inches above a 12 inch by 12 inch sand burner. The deck is exposed to an 80 kW gas flame at ambient conditions for 3 minutes. Observations are continued for an additional 40 minutes or until all combustion has ceased. 25 Heat release rate is measured as a function of time via oxygen calorimetry throughout the test. The acceptance criteria are as follows: 1. Peak (effective net) heat release rate of less than or 30

equal to 25 kW/ft2. 2. Absence of sustained flaming or glowing combustion

of any kind at the conclusion of the 40 minute observation period.1

3. Absence of structural failure of any deck board. 35 4. Absence of falling particles that are still burning

when reaching the burner or floor. Figure 1: Under-Deck Flame Test apparatus with Sample test deck. Should one of the three replicates fail to meet the Acceptance Criteria, three additional tests may be performed. All of the additional tests must 40 meet the Acceptance Criteria. Under-deck flame tests are completed in Fire Protection Division’s Cell D calorimeter room. The utilized test equipment and fixture arrangement is displayed in Figure 1.

1 Absence of glowing combustion is not a requirement for San Diego County.



Part B: Burning Brand Exposure Test – modified for San Diego County The test deck is placed in a horizontal orientation with the deck boards perpendicular to a 12 mph air current calibrated in accordance to UL 790/ASTM E108. One Class B Burning Brand (6 inch by 6 inch) is centered laterally 2½ inches behind the leading edge of the decking. Tests are terminated no more than 90 minutes after the burning brand is 5 placed on the test deck. The acceptance criteria are as follows: 1. Absence of sustained flaming combustion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40 minute

observation period. 10 2. Absence of structural failure of any deck board. 3. Absence of falling particles that are still burning when reaching the burner or floor. Should one of the three replicates fail to meet the Acceptance Criteria, three additional tests may be performed. All of the additional tests must meet the Acceptance Criteria. 15

Burning Brand exposure tests are completed in Fire Protection Division’s Roofing Tower.

ASTM E1354 Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter (Cone Calorimeter) 20 The cone calorimeter is a dynamic research tool based on the principle of oxygen consumption calorimetry. A 10 cm square test sample is irradiated on a weigh cell that measures mass throughout the test. The heated specimen is then ignited with a spark, and a calibrated 25 exhaust hood collects and analyzes the combustion by-products. Peak and average heat release rates, total released heat, effective heat of combustion, specific extinction area, exhaust flow rate, mass loss rate and final sample mass, time to sustained ignition, oxygen, 30 carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide concentrations and smoke density as a function of time are some of the resulting measured properties. Full thickness test samples measuring 10 cm × 10 cm 35 square were cut along the center- line of the supplied boards. Samples were tested in a horizontal orientation Figure 2: ASTM E1354 Cone using an edge frame with a restraining grid (HEG) sample Calorimeter on a PMMA sample holder with the intended sample top surface exposed to a radiant heat flux of 35 kW/m2 and an electric spark igniter. 40



Heat value relations:

HRR = area Sampleheat Measured

[=] kW/m2

Total Heat = kJ/MJ 1000

dtHRRcompletion

ignition∫ ⋅ [=] MJ/m2

Effective Heat of Combustion = kJ/MJ 1000loss weight Total

area SampleHeat Total⋅

⋅ [=] kJ/g

5 Smoke value rela tions:

SRR = “Measured” extinction coefficient × Exhaust volume flow rate [=] m2/s

Total Smoke = ∫ ⋅completion

ignitiondtSRR [=] m2

Specific extinction area = loss weight Total

Smoke Total [=] m2/g

10 UV Exposure Full thickness test samples measuring 10 cm × 10 cm square were exposed to 2,000 hours of fluorescent UVA light in accordance with Section 6.3.2.1 of ASTM D 6662 Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards. The following cycle (Cycle B) was used: 15

1. 8 hours of UVA (0.72 W/m2·nm @ 340 nm) 2. 4 hours of no light with condensation

Sample exposure was conducted at Q-Lab using a Model ses QUV Weathering Tester. A copy of the exposure details provided by Q-Lab is attached at the end of this report.

20



RESULTS

California SFM Standard 12-7A-4, Part A: Under-Deck Flame Test Every tested deck exhibited the same heat release rate trends – 1. Heat release rate reaches 80 kW approximately 41 to 47 seconds after the burner was ignited. 2. Heat release rate reaches a constant plateau value within 75 seconds tha t continues until the 5

ignition source burner is stopped. 3. Heat release rate decreases to below 40 kW within 50 seconds of shutting the ignition source

burner off.

Acceptance Criteria #1 (intention) – Pass 10 Under the intended peak effective net heat release rate per square foot of deck surface area acceptance criteria of no greater than 25 kW/ft2, the corresponding maximum peak heat release rate including both the deck contribution, as well as the 80 kW ignition source burner, is determined as below:

(25 kW/ft2 × 4.56 ft2) + (80 kW) = 197 kW 15

All three evaluated decks met this limit with maximum peak heat release rates ranging between 149.9 to 159.4 kW. On a per area basis, the peak effective net heat release rate per square foot of deck surface area ranged between 15.7 to 17.8 kW/ft2, well below the specified 25 kW/ft2 limit. The 20 projected surface area of the deck used in the area calculation was determined as follows:

24 inch width × 27-3/8 inch depth = 657 inch2 = 4.56 ft2

The recorded total heat release and heat release rate data for the evaluated decks are plotted in Figures 3 and 4 and summarized in Table 1 below.

25 Table 1: Joist moisture content and heat release results for CA SFM 12-7A-4 Under-Deck

Flame Tests.

Deck Joist Moisture

Content (1) (%)

Total Heat Released

(MJ)

Peak HRR (2)

(kW)

Peak HRR per area (2)

(kW/ft2)

Peak Effective Net HRR (kW/ft2)

Trial 1 8.0 – 11.5 34.1 149.9 32.9 15.7 Trial 2 8.0 – 11.5 33.7 155.1 34.0 16.8 Trial 3 8.0 – 11.5 26.8 159.4 35.0 17.8

Average -- 31.5 154.8 33.9 16.7 Std. Dev. -- 4.1 4.8 1.0 1.0

Notes to Table 2: (1) As measured in accordance with ASTM D4442. (2) Peak heat release rate and the peak heat release rate per square foot of deck top surface 30

area include the 80 kW heat contribution of the ignition source burner output.



0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Time (s)

Cu

mu

lati

ve H

eat

rele

ase

(MJ)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Figure 3: CA SFM 12-7A-4 Under-Flame test total heat release.

5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Time (s)

Hea

t R

elea

se R

ate

(kW

)


Figure 4: CA SFM 12-7A-4 Under-Flame test heat release rate results.



Acceptance Criteria #2 – Pass Flame and glowing combustion were not observed at the conclusion of the 40 minute observation period in any of the trials. Acceptance Criteria #3 – Pass 5 Structural failure as defined by deck board separation or open holes through the deck was not observed in any of the trials. Acceptance Criteria #4 – Pass No falling particles that burned when reaching the floor were observed in any of the trials. 10

California SFM Standard 12-7A-4, Part B: Burning Brand Exposure Test – modified for San Diego County Three decks were evaluated by the San Diego County burning brand protocol. 15 All of the test decks met the Acceptance Criteria set forth in the San Diego County Burning Brand protocol. Results are summarized in Table 2 below: Table 2: Joist moisture content and results for CA SFM 12-7A-4 Burning Brand Exposure Tests.

SD County Termination Deck Material Trial

Joist Moisture Content

(%) Results

(40 Minute) Reason Time (hr:mm:ss) Reason

1 8.0 – 11.5 Pass - 1:30:00 - 2 8.0 – 11.5 Pass - 1:30:00 - Teak 3 8.0 – 11.5 Pass - 1:30:00 -

Reason 1: Sustained flaming 20 Reason 2: Structural failure of deck boards Reason 3: Falling particles still burning on the floor Acceptance Criteria #1 (Sustained flaming) – Pass Sustained flaming was not present at the end of the 40 minute observation period. 25 Acceptance Criteria #2 (Structural failure of deck boards) – Pass Structural failure of deck boards was not observed during the 90 minute observation period. Acceptance Criteria #3 (Falling particles still burning on the floor) – Pass 30 There were no fallen particles that were still burning when reaching the floor observed during the 90 minute period.

ASTM E1354 Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter (Cone Calorimeter) 35 Cone calorimeter test results can be divided into three physically significant areas: time to ignition, heat release, and smoke release. The time to ignition describes how long it takes for unheated material to heat to a temperature at which it readily ignites when in the proximity of an open flame. This time has been demonstrated to be related to the flame front propagation rate on large scale tests through an inverse relationship – given all other factors as being equal, longer 40 ignition times would yield slower flame front propagation rates. Heat release information is



indicative of how much energy is released during combustion and is also related to flame front propagation rate – given all other factors as being equal, lower heat release rates would yield slower flame front propagation rates. And finally smoke release information is useful for comparing different materials for their inherent potential for developing smoke – materials with higher extinctional cross-sectional areas will generate more smoke on a per weight basis. 5 Results of cone calorimeter tests on unexposed and UV exposed samples are summarized below in Tables 3 and 4 respectively. HRR responses to test duration are similarly plotted in Figures 5 and 6. 10

Table 3: ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter results on unexposed samples.

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Std. Dev. Ignition Time (s) 89 98 94 94 5 Initial Weight (g) 1379.54 1407.53 1361.86 -- -- Total Weight Loss (g) 144.03 145.59 148.71 -- -- Weight Loss (%) 10.44 10.34 10.92 10.57 0.31 Eff. Heat of Comb. (kJ/g) 21.67 22.42 22.29 22.13 0.40 Avr. HRR. at 180 s (kW/m²) 152.20 152.80 151.75 152.25 0.53 Peak HRR (kW/m²) 177.2 179.5 178.6 178.4 1.2 Total Heat (MJ/m²) 354.71 370.92 376.69 367.44 11.40 Peak SRR (m²/s) 0.0166 0.0157 0.0186 0.0170 0.0015 Total Smoke (m²) 24.39 27.44 28.86 26.90 2.28

Table 4: ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter results on UV exposed samples.

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Std. Dev. Ignition Time (s) 86 82 82 83 2 Initial Weight (g) 319.96 319.32 321.55 -- -- Total Weight Loss (g) 135.23 140.43 139.75 -- -- Weight Loss (%) 42.26 43.98 43.46 43.23 0.88 Eff. Heat of Comb. (kJ/g) 26.19 21.42 22.24 23.28 2.55 Avr. HRR. at 180 s (kW/m²) 176.97 163.64 157.29 165.97 10.04 Peak HRR (kW/m²) 209.7 191.5 178.6 193.3 15.6 Total Heat Release (MJ/m²) 402.39 341.83 353.19 365.80 32.19 Peak SRR (m²/s) 0.0080 0.0114 0.0092 0.0095 0.0017 Total Smoke Release (m²) 1.70 1.66 1.20 1.52 0.28

15



0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Time (Seconds)

HR

R (

kW/m

²)


Figure 5: ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter heat release rate.

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Time (Seconds)

HR

R (

kW/m

²)


Figure 6: ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter heat release rate on UV exposed samples. 5



UV EXPOSURE EFFECTS

ASTM E1354 Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter (Cone Calorimeter) Average cone calorimeter results for UV exposed and unexposed boards are summarized in Table 5. Analysis of the data using a two tailed, unequal variance (heteroscedastic) Student’s T-5 Test indicates that UV exposure of the samples did not result in statistically significantly different results at a 0.05 alpha significance level, with the exception of a reduced ignition time (tign of 83 ±2 s). Table 5: Average ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter results for unexposed and UV exposed deck 10

boards. Bolded values are statistically significantly different.

Sample Ignition Time (s)

Weight Loss (%)

Effective Heat of

Combustion (kJ/g)

Average HRR at 180 s

(kW/m2)

Peak HRR (kW/m2)

Total Heat Release (MJ/m2)

Unexposed 94 44.57 22.13 152.25 178.4 367.44 UV exposed 83 43.23 23.28 165.97 193.3 365.80

T-Test 0.04 0.13 0.52 0.14 0.24 0.94



APPENDIX 1: CA OSFM 12-7A-4 Under-Deck Test – Post-Test Photos

Top Bottom

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3



APPENDIX 2: CA OSFM 12-7A-4 Burning Brand Exposure Test – Post-Test Photos Top

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

, Q-LAB TEST CONFIRMATION

LL- 1~1\

(/6 ~O::;/Q-Lab Weathering Research Service

To our Client:Your test specimens have been received by us and weathering testing commenced according to the following:

Company:Address:

Washington State UniversityWood Mat. & EngineeringLab, 100 Dairy RdPullman, WA 99164-1806

Test No:Customer No:QT No:

WSW-0016

WAS007

X04326

Attn:Phone:

Mr. Robert Duncan509-335-6266 Ext.

Your Ref:

Date:

PO# F541204

February 9, 2007

Specimen Description:

27 composite deck boards4" x 4" and 18" x 2"

SDecimen Condition:

All specimens were received in good condition except:

No Exception

Test DescriDtion: Evaluations and Reports:No evaluations-exposure only.

Date Exposed:Type of Test:Test method:Device Used:

Light Source:Irradiance:Filters:

Cycle:

February 9, 2007

Accelerated weatheringASTM D6662 Deviation: No

QUV Weathering Tester, Model sesUVA 340

0.72 W/m2(v1.0 calibration)*N/A

8 hours UV light, 5 min. spray, 3:55hours condensation

Special Instructions: Testing per ASTM D6662, Section 6.3.2.1.2. At end, return 12 samples (4" square) to ThomasFabian, remaining 15 to client. *Equivalent to 0.83 W/m2(v2.0 calibration).

Return Schedule: Upon Completion

Final Return: Report Type: Standard

Please confirm all information on this order is correct and retain for your records.Please use the test number and your customer number to identify this test in all correspondence.

Thank you for your order,

M~.i~Michael J. Crewdson

General Manager/Technical Director

Q-Lab Florida: 1005 SW 18 Avenue, P. O. Box 349490, Homestead, FL33034 Phone (305) 245-5600 Fax (305) 245-5656

r!1~;~~~~T~

Temperatures: 70°C, 50°C...--Humidities: N/A

Water type: Deionized

Relocation: As requiredTotal Hours: 2000

Documents

TimberTech flammability report - TimberTech Barcelona€¦ · TimberTech, Project No. 07CA07514 – November 16, 2007 p. 3 of 14 Underwriters Laboratories Inc. authorizes TimberTech