Following a change in the Building Code In 2017, a restriction was imposed on the use of combustible external claddings (C: Protection from Fire: C/AS2), limiting the height for timber cladding to buildings under 10 metres.

With the introduction of WoodSafe-Exterior, featuring its Type A certification, architects can once again embrace Western Red Cedar in various timber profiles, reviving beauty and design freedom in the construction industry.

WoodSafe-Exterior is an off-site fire-retardant treatment impregnated into Western Red Cedar exterior cladding, ensuring a certified Type A fire rating.

For buildings over 10 metres in height, all claddings must pass a fire test, which involves a small-scale cone calorimeter test following ISO 5660 standards. This test measures the material's total and peak heat release rate, with higher rates indicating greater combustibility.

WoodSafe-Exterior cladding is just one component of a complete Type A system for the exterior weather-resistant surface of a building. This system includes cladding, underlays, cavity components, windows, doors, penetrations, flashings, seals, joints, and junctions.

The cladding materials are categorised into two types:

• Cladding Type–A: Peak heat release rate (kW/m²): 100 / Total heat release rate (MJ/m²): 25
  Cladding Type–B: Peak heat release rate (kW/m²): 150 / Total heat release rate (MJ/m²): 50

The Acceptable Solution permits the installation of Type A external claddings on buildings over 10 metres in height or within 1 metre from the boundary.

Timber claddings with fire retardant treatment undergo pre-weathering according to the ASTM2898 weather testing method before fire testing, ensuring the durability of their fire-retardant properties.

The WoodSafe-Exterior system offers a Type A certification for the timber's entire lifespan, eliminating the need for ongoing maintenance from a fire safety perspective. While you can stain the timber with a wide range of compliant stains, it essentially requires no further upkeep; it's there for life.

Specify WoodSafe-Exterior cladding using systems from local suppliers like Hermpac, who offer popular exterior profiles, fins, and battens for exterior use. WoodSafe-Exterior also provides a Group 1-S surface rating, making it suitable for internal wet areas.

If you're eager to incorporate the natural beauty of timber into your designs once more, contact Fireshield to discover more about WoodSafe-Exterior and its incredible possibilities. Reconnect with nature and unleash your creativity with the enduring allure of timber cladding.