01 · The requirement
Why did the branches need treatment?
Natural branches are often used to create striking displays in restaurants, hotels, retail interiors and event venues.
Although they are decorative rather than structural, a venue may request fire-retardant treatment and certification before allowing them to be installed.
For this project, the branches needed to be treated to BS 5852 Part 1.
02 · Workshop visit
Treatment at the client’s workshop
The branches were stored at the client’s workshop before installation.
We attended on a dry day and established a controlled spraying area outside the workshop. This provided the space and ventilation needed to treat the branches thoroughly without affecting other materials or work taking place inside.
03 · Professional application
Applying the fire-retardant treatment
The branches were arranged so the treatment could be applied across their exposed surfaces.
A professional fire-retardant product was sprayed evenly onto the natural wood to complete the BS 5852 Part 1 treatment.
Working with the branches before they were assembled into the restaurant display made it easier to reach the individual pieces and provide consistent coverage.
04 · Protected drying
Drying inside the workshop
After treatment, the branches were moved back inside and stacked in the workshop to dry.
Keeping them under cover protected the freshly treated wood from rain and allowed the branches to remain at the workshop until they were ready for installation.
05 · Documentation
BS 5852 Part 1 documentation
The treated branches were recorded as having received fire-retardant treatment to BS 5852 Part 1.
The treatment documentation identified the material, project location, fire-retardant product used and completed treatment standard.
06 · Planning the work
Planning treatment before installation
Treating the branches before assembly gave us access to the individual pieces. They then dried under cover, ready for the restaurant display.