Looking for a trusted supplier of fire retardant plywood for your next property development project? Need help with fire retarding regular plywood? As one of Sydney’s most trusted suppliers of fire-retardant plywood and plywood treatment services, FA Mitchell delivers the high-quality, certified materials you need to meet both safety and design requirements. With our extensive experience in the construction industry, we provide the right solutions to help you confidently achieve compliance and elevate your projects.
Australian fire-retardant plywood
While no engineered wood product can ever be 100% fireproof, plywood can be manufactured and treated to be “fire-retardant” or nearly inflammable. Our treated plywood provides superior resistance to combustion compared to standard wood materials. Installed in your interiors, it helps contain the spread of fire, giving your team crucial time to manage and control any emergency.
In Australia, all fire-retardant plywood should comply with the requirements set by the AS (Australian Standards) AS 5637.1:2015 for determining fire hazard properties of wall and ceiling linings. The best fire-retardant plywood also shows great resistance to heat or flashovers when assessed according to the AS/NZS 1530.3 (covering methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures).
At FA Mitchell, we ensure all our fire-retardant plywood is certified and compliant with these standards. Aside from having lower ignition and flashover points, our products also have lower smoke generation. This means that even when it finally begins burning, our plywood exudes less gaseous by-products — and thus, poses a lower risk of smoke inhalation.
How our fire-retardant plywood is created
We prefer plywood made from locally sourced wood. The manufacture of our fire-retardant plywood starts with creating veneers from the best Australian timber. These are usually heat-resistant tree species such as Hoop Pine or Eucalyptus (e.g., Ironbark, Blackbutt, Silvertop or Black Ash).
These veneers are kiln-dried and then glued together with formaldehyde-free adhesives. Next, the plywood is given a high-pressure treatment. Fire-retardant chemicals are infused throughout the veneers as they are compressed. This process provides plywood with the density and resistance needed to slow the spread of any fire.
Plywood samples are also subjected to quality control tests (i.e., charring or burn rate tests) before a production batch is certified.
Extra protection for regular plywood
We also offer flame-retardant coating services for other plywood types you order from us.
Regular plywood coated with fire-retardant coating offers only superficial protection. However, combining its use with other heat-resistant building materials can further lower the fire hazards of your construction.
Best uses of fire-retardant plywood
Today’s fire-retardant plywood doesn’t just give you safer walls and ceilings. It can also contribute greatly to the beauty of your interior designs.
As such, it helps you fulfil functional and aesthetic goals for a broad range of applications, including:
- Home or office interior partitions, walls, ceilings and (e.g., bedrooms, kitchens, living areas)
- Mall eating areas
- Restaurant industrial kitchens and bakeries
- Classrooms and university conference halls
- Theatres or auditoriums
- Vehicle interiors (e.g., cars, train passenger compartments)
- Balconies and decks
- Staircases and landings (including rails and trims)
- Industrial workshops and work sheds (especially those with flammable items)
- Barns, stables or outbuildings
FAQs
How does the fire retardant in plywood slow down combustion?
Depending on its type, a plywood fire-retarding formula could either:
- Form a protective layer over all the plywood veneers that prevents the material from igniting.
- Provide heat-activated chemical reactions that temporarily lower the temperature of the plywood
- React to the surrounding heat and release water, water vapour or carbon dioxide through the ply, which dilutes any radicals and discourages burning
In future emergencies, these features will provide your clients and authorities with precious extra minutes to evacuate people and control the fire.
A few examples of flame retardants commonly used for plywood (whether infused into the plywood, the adhesives or the surface veneers) are magnesium hydroxide, polyphosphate or diammonium hydrogen phosphate.
How long do flame-retardant formulas stay effective?
When installed properly in moisture-free interiors, the flame-retardant qualities of the plywood can last for many years.
Can fire-retarding plywood be used as an outdoor or all-weather building material?
We do not recommend it. Fire-retardant plywood is designed primarily for interior applications. If you expose it to the outdoors or water, the protective chemicals may leach out over time and compromise safety.
Moreover, plywood of any kind should never be used for exterior applications in Australia’s bushfire-prone areas. It cannot provide 100% fireproof outdoor protection nor be a viable replacement for materials like brick or galvanised steel.
On the other hand, we recommend you use marine plywood for wet locations that are open to the elements.
If you’re concerned about moisture or partial weathering reaching the interior plywood features of your property development, you can have weather-resistant surface coatings or primers applied to help maintain its longevity.
Does fire-retarding plywood make good structural supports?
That will depend on the make of the specific plywood brand. Many are indeed suitable for interior structural features, such as wall bracing, roof sheathing or even flooring.
Nevertheless, for heavy or critical load-bearing structures, please consult your architect, structural engineers or construction professionals first before deciding which materials comply with safety standards best.
The FA Mitchell Advantage: Fire-Retardant Plywood You Can Rely On
Why should you source this plywood from us? As a property developer, architect, or project purchasing head, our product gives you the following benefits:
- Reliable plywood supply with consistent quality. With decades of experience, FA Mitchell provides a steady and trustworthy supply of high-quality fire-retardant plywood. This ensures your project stays on track with materials you can count on, especially for time-sensitive developments.
- Easy transport and installation. Compared to other building materials (including lumber or wood), fire-retarding plywood is lightweight. That makes it easy to handle, transport, and install. Its versatility also means you can quickly adapt to various interior design needs, saving time and labour costs.
- Enhanced safety and minimised fire hazards. By using our fire-retarding plywood, you reduce the risk of fire-related incidents in your building. It also helps your project comply with strict government and industrial safety codes, particularly in commercial or workspace settings.
- Extended response timeframes for fire-related emergencies. Fire-retarding plywood slows the spread of fire, giving emergency responders and property occupants more time to act. This extended window can be crucial in preventing greater damage and ensuring safe evacuations.
- Compliance with local council codes for building safety, bushfire-prone areas or adjacent heritage site protection. Our plywood helps ensure your building complies with specific safety standards, particularly in areas prone to bushfires or near heritage sites. However, always check to see if your construction materials meet all safety and preservation requirements stipulated in your site’s local council regulations.
- Better property insurance costs. Installing our high-quality fire-retarding plywood in your interiors may help reduce property insurance premiums. It provides added safety, leading to more favourable terms from insurance companies, benefiting your investors, property managers, clients and tenants.
- Less cost for the beauty of natural wood. Fire-retarding plywood combines safety with the aesthetic appeal of natural wood. This allows designers to achieve the warmth and elegance of wood for interiors, without the extra costs associated with rare fire-resistant hardwood species or additional fireproofing layers.
- Guaranteed sustainability. At FA Mitchell, we support environmentally responsible suppliers and constructions. We source all our plywood from sustainably harvested Australian timber. This means the fire-retarding plywood you get from us not only meets safety standards but also aligns with eco-friendly building practices.
- Customisation and technical expertise. We’ve been in the business of wholesale plywood supplies for many decades. We have custom wood-cutting services and in-depth knowledge of plywood. We can offer tailored solutions and expert advice to meet your specific needs.
Get a Free FA Mitchell Quote on Fire-Retardant Plywood Today!
Ready to elevate the safety and style of your next project? At FA Mitchell, we offer top-quality fire-retardant plywood sheets, tailored to your specific needs and delivered from our Sydney warehouse.
With over 90 years of experience as one of Australia’s leading wholesale plywood suppliers, we know fire-retardant plywood better than anyone. We’ll ensure that every sheet meets the highest safety standards at a competitive price. Whether you’re looking for advice on incorporating it into your design or require assistance with custom cutting, we have the experience to deliver the right solutions.
If you’re unsure about the quantity or size of plywood panels required for your property development or need help with cost comparisons for different materials, we’re here to provide the information you seek. We’ll guide you through product selection and help you achieve both safety compliance and design excellence.
Let us be your partner in bringing your project to life, safely and beautifully! For personalised assistance and a free quote, contact us today by calling (02) 9646 2777 or filling out the contact form below.
