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Testing Fire Retardants |
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What's New ! ausbrush ProtaCoat TM
In Adelaide in recent years, brush fence arson by bored teenagers has become something of a nuisance to owners and the industry in general. It has not become a problem in the other Australian cities, however, and some attribute this to the greater popularity and incidence of brush fencing in Adelaide (ie most streets in Adelaide have brush fences), whereas in other cities it is more sparsely located.
Within Adelaide, although fire damage tends to be more prevalent in some suburbs than others, a spate of damage or isolated incidents occur can almost anywhere in the metropolitan area. Occasionally accidental fire damage occurs but is rare. See also the section on Repairs to Fire Damage
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Testing Fire Retardants |
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We have found that with about 90% of arson cases, damage is limited in extent to 1 to 2 metres, and hand packed fences can be seamlessly repaired by good tradesmen. With machine packed panel fences it is a relatively simple procedure to replace the affected panels. Most insurance policies cover fire damage with an excess of between $60 to $100. Occasionally more serious damage occurs and sometimes to adjoining property. I have not heard of any injury caused in such instances, however.
There are a number of means of minimising arson and fire damage;
In Adelaide, higher risk locations for brush fences are areas adjoining public reserves and walkways, areas of poor lighting and sections hidden by shrubs.
Where brush is placed under the eaves of buildings or next to garden sheds and under trees with heavy overhanging foliage the risk of a fence fire spreading is increased.
In general brush fencing should not be placed under the eaves of buildings and trees should be trimmed back in high risk locations. Good lighting and minimising shrubs (or hidden spots) on the public side of the fence reduce the risk of arson.
Hand packed brush fencing provides an almost perfect combustion environment, with a high fuel load (dry kindling) and plenty of oxygen. Machine compressed panels fire retarded at the point of manufacture have the potential to provide retardant capabilities given the higher densities and lower voids/oxygen levels, although reapplication of retardants after five years is recommended for panels exposed to the weather. See ausbrush at www.ausbrush.com for details and pricing of fire retarded, machine packed panels and for details of ausbrush ProtaCoat TM DIY preparation. Application of preservative retardants will not prevent damage to brushwork when accelerants are used to vandalise a fence, however they are effective in slowing down the rate of spread as well as making it more difficult to start a fire.
ausbrush ProtaCoat TM is an "all in one", water soluble, non hazardous preservative coating and fire retardant and is applied in 2 clear coats to new brushwood fencing panels (made from the hardwood, Australian Melaleuca uncinata).
It lasts up to 5 years outdoors before re-application is required (20 years indoors).
In addition to other special ingredients, the formulation comprises phosphoric acid, formaldehyde and methanol.
It has excellent fire
retardant and preservative properties, is anti-fungal
and mildly resistant to bacteria and is pest resistant. It sets clear,
with the finished look on brush fencing panels a 'clear coat'
or 'wet' look. It reacts to fire and heat making a chemical change in
the wood and also nitrogen is produced displacing air/oxygen.
Other uses include thatched roofs, decks, fencing, raw furniture, timber
plywood and all natural wood material surfaces.
Specifically formulated for maximum protection exterior and interior,
for materials including wood, leaves, straw, rope, fibreboard, paperboard,
corrugated cardboard, canvas and other fabric materials,
it can be applied to porous and non-porous surfaces.
Application is by brush, roller or commercial pressure spray 50 to 250 psi. Application rate 4 to 5 square metres per litre, which means that it will take just over a litre of retardant per lineal metre of brush fence allowing two coats on both sides of the fence. It is supplied in 4 litre containers.
Use of the ausbrush ProtaCoat TM preservative coating is recommended for new brushwood panel installations only, so that the brushwork and panel density are preserved and maintained and maximum fire retardant properties achieved. The preparation should be re-applied every 5 years in outdoor applications (20 years indoors).
Application to very old, deteriorated, dilapidated brushwood fences is not recommended.
Last updated: 28th March 2008
© Copyright 2008; Adelaide Brush, Fairview Park, South Australia 5126; Tel +61 8 82513309, Fax. +61 8 82893155, Mobile 0418 841 889.
