Variation of Ignition Point of Wood with Surface Treatments

Abstract

The occurrence of fire is ubiquitous; and wood as a constructional material is indispensable. The ubiquity of fire out-breaks has necessitated the re-examination of the different constructional materials particularly wood, and especially the surface treatments given to wood. Therefore, the variations of ignition points of selected wood samples with different surface treatments were investigated. The wood samples were coated with different wood ash suspensions, emulsion paint, oil paint and adhesive binder. The ignition points were determined using Vecstar furnace model ECF2, serial no. f3077. Moisture contents and metal concentrations of the wood samples were determined with oven Search tech model DHG and Perkin Elmer absorption analyst 400 spectrophotometer respectively. Danta wood (Nesogordoniapapaverifera) and Ikpaya wood (Lophiraalata or lanceolata) coated with polyvinyl acetate adhesive binder gave the highest increase in ignition point relative to the uncoated samples, from 427 - 570oC and 410 - 500 oC respectively while the other coatings, wood sawdust suspension, emulsion paint and oil paints either suppressed the ignition points or gave little increases in ignition points relative to the uncoated samples. Some constituents of the wood samples such as moisture content and metal concentrations were found to have no significant effects on the ignition points of the wood samples. Therefore, treating constructional woods with surface coatings such as adhesive binders offers a considerable fire resistance.