• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

The combustion characteristics of cypress wood coated with boric acid (BA) and ammonium pentaborate (APB) were examined using a cone calorimeter according to the ISO 5660-1 standard. As a result, the combined specimens of boric acid and ammonium pentaborate (BA/APB) led to an improved fire performance index due to their synergistic effect. In addition, the total heat release values of the specimen coated with the boron compounds were 6.1~14.1% lower than that of the base specimen. The total smoke release rate (TSR) of the specimens coated with the boron compound decreased throughout the combustion process, except for BA/APB. The maximum concentration of carbon monoxide was reduced by 15.8~25.5%. In general, wood treated with flame retardants has a lower fire hazard.