New Test Method Now Available – APA Heat Performace Test PS 1-19 Section 6.1.3.4
Plywood Testing is now offering heat performance testing for structural plywood in accordance with the Engineered Wood Association (APA) standard PS 1-19, Section 6.1.3.4.
The PS 1-19 standard is a voluntary product standard that is used to assess the performance of structural plywood panels. The heat performance test involves exposing plywood samples to a 1472 °F – 1652 °F flame from a Bunsen-type burner for a period of 10 minutes or until a brown charred area appears on the backside of the panel. After the flame is extinguished, the bond lines on the panel are examined for signs of delamination by separating the charred plies using a sharp chisel.
The heat performance requirements for structural plywood are described in Section 5.7.2.1 of PS 1-19. Exterior plywood panels meet the requirements in Section 5.7.2.1 if there are no signs of delamination, except when occurring at a localized characteristic (knots, splits, cracks, etc.) permitted in the grade. When testing overlaid plywood, blisters or bubbles occurring in the surface are not considered delamination.
