Thermal characteristics of thick red oak flakeboard

As part of a cooperative project between Purdue University and the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, 1-3/16-inch-thick red oak structural flakeboard was tested for fire penetration, flame spread, and thermal resistance. The small-scale testing indicated satisfactory thermal characteristics for a wood-based product. Fire penetration performance exceeded that of a 1-1/8-inch-thick plywood accepted as roof decking in heavy timber construction. Flame-spread performance met the class C criteria of 200 or less. Thermal resistance was consistent with suggested insulative design values for particleboard. (Author).