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Woodsafe® PRO™

Woodsafe® PRO™ is a perfect choice for fire-retardant treated wood in both interior applications such as wall and ceiling cladding and acoustic panels, as well as for exterior façade cladding intended for paint coating.

Woodsafe® WFX™

Woodsafe® WFX™ is the only fire-retardant treatment on the market approved according to use class EN 16755 EXT, making it possible to choose façade cladding designed for natural weathering — that is, without surface coating.

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Here you'll find useful information for builders and contractors in various fields. Click the buttons below to learn more.

Project risk starts with proper execution

The right materials, proper installation, and verified documentation reduce the risk of delays, redesigns, and future liability.

When the project enters the construction phase, the contractor is responsible for ensuring that the correct products are installed in accordance with the design documents and that the necessary documentation is available.Even minor deviations—such as a change in wood species, altered dimensions, or modified structural solutions—can mean that the solution is no longer covered by the documentation, classification, or type approval on which the design is based.

Therefore, it is important to inspect the delivered materials before installation begins. If any errors or deviations are discovered, the supplier must be contacted immediately. The contractor should not make any modifications, alterations, or repairs without the supplier’s approval, as these may affect the product’s documented properties and liability conditions.

With Woodsafe’s traceable products and verified documentation, the contractor receives a clear basis for self-inspections, an inspection plan, and a final acceptance report, which contributes to a safer and more efficient construction process.

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Fire Class, FoA, and Use Class

Three concepts—three different functions. Together, they determine whether the right product is being used correctly.

When fire-retardant wood is used in a construction project, it is important to distinguish between FoA (Field of Application), fire class, and use class. These terms describe different aspects of the product’s verified performance and are of great importance for design, construction, and documentation.

  • Fire class describes how a product reacts to fire according to standardized testing and classification. For wood products, EN 13501-1 is typically used; for example, Euroclass B-s1,d0 indicates the product’s fire performance in terms of fire spread, smoke emission, and burning droplets.
  • FoA (Field of Application) describes the conditions under which a fire classification is valid. It specifies, among other things, the types of wood, dimensions, densities, structures, fasteners, and installation methods covered by the tested and classified solution. If any of these conditions change, the classification may need to be re-verified.
  • The use class describes the environment for which the fire performance has been verified over time. A product intended for interior use is not automatically verified for exterior environments. For outdoor applications, the product’s durability and fire performance must be documented for the intended use, for example, through testing in accordance with EN 16755.

It is important for the contractor that the fire class, FoA, and use class correspond to the actual construction being built. If the type of wood, dimensions, construction, or usage environment changes, the verified fire performance and the associated documentation may be affected. Therefore, any deviation should always be assessed before installation begins.

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When Changes Occur in the Project

The greatest risks often arise when conditions change during the construction period.

Almost all construction projects undergo changes during implementation. Materials are replaced, delivery times are affected, dimensions are adjusted, and design details are modified. Changes are a natural part of the construction process, but they can also affect the verified fire performance and the documentation that forms the basis of the project.

Even minor changes—such as a change in wood species, dimensions, or installation method—can mean that the solution no longer complies with the tested design or applicable documentation.

Therefore, it is important to always verify that changes still fall within the product’s fire class, FoA, and use class before the material is installed. An early review is almost always simpler and more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences afterward.

Woodsafe is happy to provide technical guidance and documentation to ensure that changes to the project can be assessed before they are implemented.

 

How to Reduce Project Risk

A structured inspection at the right stage saves time, reduces costs, and prevents unnecessary delays.

The most successful projects are not those that lack challenges—but those that identify and manage risks at an early stage. When fire-retardant wood is used, there are several simple checks that contribute to safer implementation and reduce the risk of deviations during the construction process.

These include, among other things:

  • Verify that the delivered materials conform to the design documents.
  • Ensure that the correct wood species, dimensions, and construction are included in the product’s documentation and FoA.
  • Verify that the fire class and use class are appropriate for the intended use.
  • Verify that the labeling and accompanying documentation are included with the shipment.
  • Report any discrepancies or damage to the supplier before installation begins.
  • Avoid making your own modifications or repairs without the supplier's approval.
  • Maintain the product's traceability and documentation throughout the entire project.



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When the right materials, proper documentation, and verified fire performance accompany the project from delivery to final acceptance, it creates better conditions for an efficient construction project—with higher quality, reduced risk, and a more reliable basis for decision-making throughout the entire construction process.