Can lumber be treated to resist fire spread and smoke?

Lumber can indeed be treated to resist fire spread and smoke. Fire-retardant treatments are specifically designed to enhance the fire resistance of wood products. These treatments involve applying chemical solutions that modify the wood's behavior when exposed to fire, resulting in slower burning rates and reduced smoke production. This capability is particularly important in construction and building safety, as it helps to increase the overall fire safety of structures by slowing the spread of flames and lowering the amount of toxic smoke generated during a fire.

While it's true that only certain types of lumber may respond better to these treatments, the fundamental capacity for treatment to enhance fire resistance holds true across various wood products. Therefore, the notion that it cannot be treated or is limited to specific lumber types is not accurate in a general sense.

The misconception that only unprocessed lumber can resist fire is also incorrect since treated lumber is specifically engineered to help manage fire risks. In summary, the ability to treat lumber for fire resistance is a valuable and viable option in enhancing safety in construction.