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Specialist performance door and doorset manufacturer F R Shadbolt & Sons Ltd has developed an environmentally friendly, engineered solid timber product for high performance door frames, which has been successfully tested for fire resistance by Chiltern International Fire (CIF).
Peter Barker, CIF Head of Section: Consultancy, said, ‘The environmental and aesthetic advantages of Shadwood as a door frame material for use with Shadbolt’s ENcore fire resisting door range could only be fully recognised with an appropriate fire test programme. The Shadwood material was developed through a series of full-scale fire resistance tests and engineered to cope with the fire conditions simulated by the BS 476 Part 20-22 test standards.
The time temperature curve utilised in the test standard, Mr Barker added, represents ‘one of the most onerous fire situations’ that an element of construction is likely to be exposed to. ‘Based on the test results, it has been proven that the Shadwood material is a suitable product that can be used for constructing door frames for the ENcore door design for both 30 and 60 minutes’ fire resistance.’
Shadbolt Factory Manager Robin Tickner explained the further advantages of the product. ‘Shadwood is dimensionally stable and ultra dry. It is engineered using finger-jointed defect-free Scots pine, glued using PUR glue lines, then lipped and veneered in the hardwood species specified. The product is guaranteed for 10 years.’
In addition, Shadwood is fully FSC-certified and, claims the company, uses 49% less hardwood on standard FD60 frames sections and 85% less on standard FD30 frames than comparable hardwood sections. Mr Tickner said, ‘The fire testing was an important element and this whole package will, we believe, change the way joinery manufacturers and specifiers think about making door frames.’
- Shadbolt has already supplied 350mm wide Shadwood frame sections in FSC walnut for a project in Scotland. Robin Tickner said, ‘Each frame was perfect, which is unheard of in such large sections of walnut.’ In addition, Shadwood frame sections in European oak measuring 170mm x 76mm have been delivered to London. ‘This is another notoriously difficult timber to supply without visible defect. While we are aware of the market prices for timber and ensure only a very small premium in cost is attached to the Shadwood product, the lack of waste on site more than compensates.’
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