Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood and the IWUI Code
Fire-retardant-treated wood contributes to both sustainable forest management
Sponsored by Hoover Treated Wood Products
As communities continue to grow into wildland areas, the need for fire-resilient, sustainable building materials becomes increasingly critical. This course introduces design professionals to fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW)—what it is, how it works, and where it fits within the context of today’s building needs and environmental goals. Participants will explore how FRTW contributes to sustainable forest management, supports affordable housing, and how it compares to other materials from a performance and sustainability standpoint. The course also covers the available FRTW products, their specifications, and why treated wood is considered a “green” material for modern construction, especially in WUI zones.
Image courtesty of Hoover Treated Wood Products
Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc, in business since 1955, supplies a comprehensive portfolio of pressure-impregnated kiln-dried lumber and plywood products for fire retardant and preservative applications. Hoover has multiple company-owned treating facilities, conveniently located to service a 100 plus member stocking distributor network which thoroughly covers the USA and Canada. The rigorous quality control procedures employed by Hoover are constantly reviewed and inspected by Underwriters Laboratories and Timber Products Inspection’s follow-up services.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in July 2025
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Acknowledge what fire-retardant-treated wood is.
- Learn how fire-retardant-treated wood can contribute to both sustainable forest management as well as improving housing availability.
- Determine what fire-retardant-treated wood products are available and how to specify them.
- Learn why wood is a “green” product
- Comprehend how fire-retardant-treated wood compares to other building materials.
