The current Swedish building code (Boverkets Byggregler, BBR) is very strict regarding fire-safety in high-rise timber structures because of the heightened risk of fast flame spread or structural failure in case of fire. Fire safety solutions, that are used in timber structures must therefore be optimal to contain flames from spreading in the event of fire. The current building code requires that load-bearing elements must withhold their load-bearing capacity for 60 minutes under fire. The purpose of this study was to research the effect that different fire-retardant surface treatments, have on fire protection of a load bearing, laminated timber element. Thereafter, a short analysis was made on the environmental impact of the fire-retardant surface-treatments in question and finally, a cost analysis and comparison were conducted with regard to different fire-safety solutions such as fire-resistant gypsum board and a combination of fire-resistant gypsum board and stone-wool. The methods used in this study are a combination of theoretical reviews and theoretical calculations. A theoretical review was conducted in order to collect the information needed to understand the behavior of timber under fire, the impact of fire-resistant surface treatments on fire protection, and the environmental impact of the actual surface treatments. Therefore, a series of theoretical calculations were made in accordance with European standards (Eurocodes) in order to present the impact in numbers. The calculations made were concerning a laminated timber beam with the dimensions of 145 x 450 x 6000 [mm] and took into account the remaining cross-section of the timber element under various timestamps during fire with regard to fire-stage, charring-rate, and fire coating. The results of this study indicate that the moment-capacity and shear-capacity of an untreated beam decrease constantly under fire and does not fulfill the requirements of the Swedish building code. Thereafter, in case that the same timber beam is fire-treated with a fire-retardant surface treatment. The moment-capacity is observed to increase in the first stage of fire, were the fire-protection of the surface-retardant treatment is still in action. Therefore, after fire-protection ceases, the moment-capacity of the timber beam is calculated to decrease in different rates with regard to fire-stage. The shear capacity of the treated beam is calculated to decrease under fire with a time-displacement of 30 & 60 minutes in comparison to the untreated element. The conclusions are that the studied surface treated timber beam and the actual fire treatments fulfill the requirements of the Swedish building code. Have insignificant environmental impact and are in comparison to other solutions cheaper.

Purpose: This work is based on the problem with the product cross-laminated timber and its properties in the event of fire. The reason for the problem is the glue used in the product and the lack of requirements for adhesion at high temperatures. Due to this, there is a risk of delamination in the event of a fire, i.e. that the wooden slats that constitute the largest component in the CLT wood fall off during the course of the fire and contribute to extra energy. Method: The work is built up of two different methods, first a literature study and then an experiment. The literature study focuses on the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning's building regulations, the production of cross-laminated timber and what happens in the event of a fire. The experiment was carried out at Fågelbacken in Västerås, where help from the rescue service was available. The informative part of the report begins with a subject reference framework where the first part consists of information about the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning's requirements and ordinances that are based on the Planning and Building Act and the Planning and Building Ordinance. This study describes the experiment, everything from the application of the fire protection treatment to the design of the fire test. The materials included in the fire test are described and any certifications they hold are mentioned. The results section presents the results of the literature study and the fire test. Results: The four pieces of wood showed different results after fire, as three out of four showed cracks between the slats on the fire-affected surface. No piece of wood delaminated or had loose slats, however, the cracks are interpreted as meaning that the glue did not withstand the temperature that the fire generated, and melted. The depths of the carbon layer, on the other hand, were significantly protected by the fire protection treatment as there was a maximum difference of 7 mm between one of the fire protection-treated pieces of wood and the untreated piece of wood. The burning time of the fuel pool varied. The course of fire for the pieces that were treated with fire protection was strong with large flames and large, black smoke pillars. Conclusion: The conclusion of the thesis is that the fire protection treatment has a good effect on the depth of the carbon layer, which delays the risk of delamination. The fire protection treatment also has a good effect on the adhesive in some of the cases when no or few cracks between the slats were seen.