Flame Spread Index for Wood Products

Fire Safety of Wood Products

Numerous flame-spread tests are used, but the most common one cited by building codes is
ASTM E 84, the 25-foot tunnel test. This test method involves the use of a 20-inch by 25-foot
specimen exposed horizontally to a furnace operating under forced draft conditions. The two
results of this test are the flame spread index and smoke developed index.

In the past, select grade red oak flooring was used as a standard and was given a flame spread
index of 100. Today, red oak flooring still has an index around 100 but is no longer used in the
calculation of the flame spread index. The smoke developed index is still based on red oak
flooring having a value of 100. The indexes are also based on inorganic reinforced cement board
having a value of zero.

For regulatory purposes, interior finish materials are classified according to their flame spread.
The classes are 0-25 for Class A or I, 26-75 for Class B or II, and 76-200 for Class C or III. For
regulatory purposes, the requirement for smoke developed index is usually 450 or less.

This list of ASTM F 84 flame spread indexes and smoke developed indexes for untreated wood
products was prepared from the literature. The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) does not have
an ASTM E 84 test furnace. Results from the 8-foot tunnel (ASTM E 286) of the FPL are not
comparable or equivalent to ASTM E 84 test results. A list of commercial testing laboratories with
the 25-foot tunnel is available from the Fire Safety of Wood Products Research Work Unit (608-
264-5669).

The flame spread index may depend on density, thickness, chemical composition, and surface
characteristics. Finishes on the wood may affect the flame spread index depending on the
thickness and composition of the finish. Changes in the procedures for calculating the flame
spread index have also affected the numbers. Species identification on this list are the names
given in the references. Exact identification of the species may not have been possible.

Fire-retardant treatments can be used to reduce the flame spread index of wood to 25 or less.
Lists of the fire-retardant coatings and pressure treaters are also available from the Fire Safety of
Wood Products Research Work Unit.

Building code officials may require building materials to be stamped with the flame spread
classification of an approved testing agency. Users should consult the manufacturer as to the
availability of their product with an approved stamp.
Lumber (1-in, nominal thickness) FSI SDI
Azobe/Bongossi 0 5-10
Birch, yellow 105-110 -
Box, brush (Lophostemon confortus), 17mm 45 373
Cedar: Eastern red, 1/2 in. 110 -
Pacific coast yellow 78 90
Western red 73 98
Western red (Thuja plicata), 17mm 69 137
Western red 70 213
Western red, nitrocellulose base, lacquer finish 71 226
Western red, linseed oil base, stain finish 71 235
Western red. polyurethane varnish 70 218
Cottonwood 115 -
Cypress 145-150 -
Cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla), 17mm 51 184
Douglas fir 70-100 -
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), 17mm 69 54
Eucalyptus: Blackbutt (E. pilularis), 17mm 48 68
Jarrah (E. magenata) 42 -
Jarrah (E. marginata). 17mm 26 20
Karri (E. diversicolor) 45 -
Victorian ash (E. delegatensis), 17mm 51 43
Fir, Pacific silver (Amabilis) 69 -
Greenheart 40,46 230,304
Gum, red 140-155 -
Hemlock. West coast 60-75 -
Maple (flooring) 104 157
Oak. red or white 100 -
Pine: White 73 -
Eastern white 85 122
Idaho white 72 123
Idaho. white, linseed oil base finish 70 125
Idaho. white, nitrocellulose base, lacquer finish 72 108
Idaho, white, polyurethane varnish finish 73 175
Lodgepole 93 210
Northern white 120-215 -
Ponderosa 105-230 -
Red 142 229
Southern yellow 130-195 -
Western white 75 -
Radiata (Pinus radiata), 17mm 85 122
Radiata (Pinus radiata) 77 206
Poplar 170-185 -
Redwood 70 75-115
Redwood, 3/8-in. nominal 95 95-110
Species Material Form (Pre 1976) (Post- 1976)
Birch, Yellow Lumber (1”) 105-110 -
Cedar, Western Red Lumber 70 -
Cedar, Western Red Lumber 73 -
Cottonwood Lumber (1”) 115 -
Cypress Lumber (1”) 145-150 -
Douglas Fir Lumber (1”) 70-100 -
Eucalyptus diversicolor (Karri) Lumber 69 -
Eucalyptus magenata (Jarrah) Lumber 51 -
Greenheart Lumber 64 -
Greenheart Lumber 54 -
Gum, Red Lumber (1”) 140-155 -
Hemlock, West Coast Lumber (1”) 60-75 -
Lauan Plywood (3/16”) 155 -
Maple, Hard Lumber 104 -
Oak, Red or White Lumber (1”) 100 -
Pine, Eastern White Lumber 85 -
Pine, Idaho White Lumber 72 -
Pine, Northern White Lumber (1”) 120-215 -
Pine, Ponderosa Lumber (1”) 154 -
Pine, Southern Yellow Lumber (1”) 130-195 -
Pine, Western White Lumber (1”) 75 -
Poplar Lumber (1”) 170-185 -
Redwood Lumber (1”) 70 -
Redwood Plywood (3/8”) 95 -
Spruce, Northern Lumber (1”) 65 -
Spruce, Western Lumber (1”) 100 -
Teak Lumber 76 -
Walnut Lumber (1”) 130-140 -