I-joist test

Several preliminary tests on weight loaded wood I-Joists (*see above) were performed at Washington State University and the University of California Forest Products Laboratory. These tests were performed to initiate the process of establishing a testing protocol and criteria for large scale laboratory testing.

These initial tests indicated that I-Joists protected with Ff88 not only lasted approximately Four times as
long as unprotected I-Joists, but maintained their structural integrity in Excess of a sawn lumber joist.

(Refer to photos regarding the time comparisons of uncoated sawn lumber, uncoated and coated I-Joists.)

We believe that the appropriate initial focus of further testing should be to demonstrate the superior performance of Ff88 protected I-Joist floor systems in non-rated, type V construction. This would entail the development of new testing criteria based on "RATE OF HEAT RELEASE", and the performance of a series of comparison tests using the new criteria. These tests would demonstrate in a very graphic way that Ff88 not only provides protection for the structural system, but also, and equally important, limits flame spread. In other words, the floor system does not readily ignite, contribute fuel load, and thus become part of the problem. This is why we recommend a test based on "RATE OF HEAT RELEASE" over the "TIME vs TEMPERATURE CURVE" used in ASTM E-119.

* L-P Joist w/OSB webs and solid sawn or laminated wood flanges were used for the tests.


TREATED 12" I-JOIST ELAPSED TIME 19 MIN 15 SECS	TREATED 12" I-JOIST ELAPSED TIME 27 MIN 35 SECS	TREATED 12" I-JOIST ELAPSED TIME 28 MIN 0 SEC HEAT SOURCE REMOVED, FIRE GOES OUT ON OWN DUE TO COATINGS ABILITY TO PREVENT FLAME SPREAD.	UNTREATED 12" I-JOIST ELAPSED TIME 5 MIN 24 SEC	UNTREATED 12" I-JOIST FAILURE 7 MIN 12 SEC