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PARTICLEBOARD FLOORING	Data Sheet 3 May 2004

Scope

This Data Sheet covers Particleboard manufactured for use as flooring. The Australian / New Zealand Particleboard Flooring Standard (AS/NZS 1860.1) defines two classes of flooring (Class 1 and Class 2) although Class 2 flooring is not approved for use in Australia. It also covers three products manufactured with special resistance, Fungus Resistant Flooring (designated F), Termite Resistant Flooring (H2) and Fire Retardant Flooring (FR).

Board Marking

Flooring manufactured by AWPA Members has the following markings:

1. Manufacturer's Brand Name

2. AWPA logo, Flooring Type (Class 1 or 2. Fungus, Termite or Fire resistant).

3. Reference to Australian Standard AS/NZS 1860.1.

4. Identification of top or bottom side for laying.

Manufacture

The manufacturing process of Particleboard Flooring is as outlined in AWPA Data Sheet 1 - Manufacture. Wood particles are coated with a resin, formed into a mat and pressed to cure the resin and produce the required board thickness. Again it is the resin used that differentiates Flooring from other types of Particleboard. Most of the Particleboard Flooring manufactured in Australia is made with large flakes, compared with the fine flakes used for Standard and MR Particleboard. However Flooring can be made from fine flakes, its principal difference lies in the resin system.

Particleboard Flooring currently manufactured by AWPA Members is based on an MUPF resin system ie the resin used to bond flakes is a melamine - urea - phenol formaldehyde co-condensed resin. Some tannin formaldehyde resins are also used. These resins provide extra protection from moisture and weathering, in recognition of the use of Particleboard Flooring in platform construction.

Particleboard Flooring is available with a fungicide incorporated into the resin system to protect the board from fungus attack during service life. Particleboard Flooring is also manufactured with termiticide addition and with fire retardant treatment.

Particleboard Flooring is available in square edged sheet form, but most of the material is used with tongued and grooved edges. All AWPA Members use a plastic inserted tongue, which allows easier, more accurate installation and is resistant to handling and transport damage.

Particleboard Flooring from AWPA Members is also factory edge sealed to reduce uptake of moisture and resultant edge swelling during the period of weather exposure.

Product Range

Particleboard Flooring is manufactured by AWPA Members in 3 thicknesses: 19, 22 and 25 mm. It is available as Class 1 flooring, and with fungus, termite and fire resistance.

(NOTE: Not all AWPA Members manufacture all products).

In domestic house construction, 19 mm Flooring is used with joists at 450 mm spacing and 22 mm Flooring with joists at 600 mm spacing. Both 19 mm and 22 mm can also be used for non-domestic applications. 25 mm Flooring is specifically made for these purposes.

Mechanical & Physical Properties

The Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1860.1) gives limit values for certain mechanical and physical properties. Table 1 gives typical values of these properties (rather than limit values) presented for each product thickness).

Table 1
Typical Property Values for Class 1 Particleboard Flooring

Dimensional Tolerances

Dimensional tolerances for flooring sheets are given below. In some cases, these are tighter tolerances than required by AS1860.1 and may not apply to flooring from non-member producers.

Structural Performance

The main applications for Particleboard Flooring are domestic flooring. However it can be used in buildings where design loads are in excess of domestic loadings; buildings such as sporting and community halls, educational insti­tutions, light industrial and commercial areas. Design loads for these applications are given in the SAA Loading Code Part I - Dead and Live Loads (AS1170 Part 1).

Domestic usage is based on design loads of 2.0kPa Uniformly Distributed Load and 1.8kN Concentrated Load. Particleboard flooring can be used in applications where Uniformly Distributed Loads are up to 4.0kPa and Concentrated Loads up to 2.7kP.

MOISTURE PROPERTIES

Moisture Content

Particleboard, like other wood based products and many other building materials, will respond to changes in relative humidity of the surrounding air. Board dimensions are closely related to moisture content. Ex-factory moisture content is about 10% with a usual range of ± 2%.

Dimensional Changes

The highest potential for moisture movement exists when Particleboard Flooring is exposed to the weather as platform construction. Sheets that have been left exposed on a building site should be dried out before installation so as to avoid shrinkage gaps later.

FIRE BEHAVIOUR

Fire Resistance

Fire resistance relates to the period for which an element of construction will resist the passage of flame, remain free from collapse and insulate against an excessive temperature rise on the unexposed face. The property relates to a building element and its details of construction, rather than a particular material. Particleboard reacts generally to fire like natural timber, the rate of burning is similar and it does not shatter or delaminate.

Fire Hazard

Fire Hazard refers to the surface burning characteristics of a material and indicates whether a material will allow a fire to spread quickly. Smoke developed is also part of hazard assessment.

Fire Hazard is measured by procedures laid down in AS1530 Part 3 and is expressed as indices. Typical results for Particleboard Flooring are:

Specific Building Regulations indicate where flooring with these Early Fire Hazard Indices can be used.

Thermal Properties

The Thermal Conductivity of Particleboard Flooring varies slightly according to thickness with a typical figure being 0.13 W/mK.

Like natural timber, Particleboard has a low thermal capacity. Used as flooring, it is warm to the touch, which contributes to comfort.

Acoustic Properties

Sound transmission loss is another property that depends greatly on the building element and its method of installation. However, as a general figure, Particleboard flooring should achieve a sound transmission loss of at least 25 db.

Biodeterioration

As with most other wood products, Particleboard is susceptible to attack from wood destroying fungi and termites. However moisture contents of over 18% must be maintained before either form of biodeterioration can occur.

Moist conditions are more likely to occur with flooring than with most other applications for Particleboard. Information on prevention of moisture build-up is provided in Applications & Installation Sheet 1 - Domestic Flooring.

Fungus resistant Particleboard Flooring should be used where there are any doubts about preventing moisture build-up or liquid water contact. Such cases may arise with difficult soil drainage conditions under the floor or where experience indicates a risk of leaks from shower recesses, plumbing or overflowing appliances. However it should be realised that Particleboard Flooring, like other wood products, will not perform satisfactorily if its full service life is under saturated conditions.

Health & Safety Information

Normal health and safety precautions should be taken when working with wood panel products. Machine tools should be fitted with dust extraction and work areas should be kept clean. If dust levels exceed The National Occupational Health & Safety Commission's standards, the wearing of a dust mask (AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716) and safety glasses is recommended.

For further information, please contact one of the manufacturers listed below for a Material Safety Data Sheet or download from www.woodpanels.org.au .

Whilst the information contained herein is based on data, which to the best of our knowledge is reliable and accurate as of the date hereof, no responsibility can be accepted by us for errors or omissions. Since the information contained herein may be applied under conditions beyond our control, no responsibility can be accepted by us for any loss or damage caused by any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of this information.

Published by the Australian Wood Panels Association Incorporated, PO Box 158, Coolangatta Qld 4225, May 2004.