720622FR PlyCoatClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKFR PlyCoat next generation wood fire retardants for a safer, greener world. Fire & Rescue Authorities in the UK attended 192,600 fires in 2012-13, of a reported 357,000, where 75% of fire-related deaths occurred in residence/house fires (2). This resulted in ~3500 deaths & 35-70,000 injuries (3). Across Europe >50% of these incidents are attributed to fires in timber frame buildings (4) costing ~0.3% of GDP or ~£780million(5) Increased evacuation time increases potential to maintain structural integrity & time for the Fire Service’s arrival. “FR treated wood…impedes the spread of flames & generates less smoke (the no.1 cause of deaths in fires). Structural damage is slowed & escape time increased” (6). The average escape time in tests on FR treated wood were >15 times great than for non-FR (7) Limited progress has been made in wood FR in recent years. Many end-users & regulators recognise hazards presented by the toxicity, smoke & corrosiveness of FR compounds. (9) There are also current multiple-species issues: 1000s of species of wood that are farmed for panel products, yet no single product currently available provides FR classification compliance across all species. FR “PlyCoat” will. PFS have proven the concept that they can overcome these limitations with a laboratory environment development FR“PlyCoat”. Now is the time to prove this with real world application and get the product to market by Development of Prototype. InnovateUK SMART – helping to save life and reduce injuries through innovation funding!