Described herein is a flame-retardant building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, an inorganic coating atop the first major surface, the inorganic coating being optically transparent and flame retardant and comprising a silicate compound; and wherein the inorganic flame retardant coating is substantially transparent such that the first major surface of the body is visible through the inorganic coating.

Described herein is a flame-retardant building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, an inorganic coating atop the first major surface, the inorganic coating being optically transparent and flame retardant and comprising a silicate compound; and wherein the inorganic flame retardant coating is substantially transparent such that the first major surface of the body is visible through the inorganic coating.

Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.

Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

A mesh tape bonded to the outer edge or outward side of sheet panel products. The mesh tape is applied so that the tape overhangs the edge of the panel for the purpose of adjoining to the adjacent panel following installation of the panels at a job site. The mesh may be applied to two edges of the sheet panel, one along the panel width and another along the panel length. When installed, the panel edge with the mesh tape applied is overlapped with the edge of an adjacent panel that does not have tape applied, both along the length and width, thus allowing for a faster, more robust and reliable installation of panel sheathing.

A mesh tape bonded to the outer edge or outward side of sheet panel products. The mesh tape is applied so that the tape overhangs the edge of the panel for the purpose of adjoining to the adjacent panel following installation of the panels at a job site. The mesh may be applied to two edges of the sheet panel, one along the panel width and another along the panel length. When installed, the panel edge with the mesh tape applied is overlapped with the edge of an adjacent panel that does not have tape applied, both along the length and width, thus allowing for a faster, more robust and reliable installation of panel sheathing.

A construction board comprising a foam body having first and second planar surfaces, said foam body including a polyisocyanurate foam matrix defining a plurality of closed cells, said closed cells being at least substantially devoid of hydrocarbon blowing agents, and said foam body being characterized by a density, pursuant to ASTM C303, of at least 2.5 lbs/ft.sup.3; and a facer disposed on a planar surface of said foam body, said facer including a glass substrate having an internal planar surface proximate to said foam body and an external planar surface opposite said foam body, a first coating disposed on said external surface, and a second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface, where said first coating disposed on said external surface includes an inert filler, and where said second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface includes intumescent material.

A construction board comprising a foam body having first and second planar surfaces, said foam body including a polyisocyanurate foam matrix defining a plurality of closed cells, said closed cells being at least substantially devoid of hydrocarbon blowing agents, and said foam body being characterized by a density, pursuant to ASTM C303, of at least 2.5 lbs/ft.sup.3; and a facer disposed on a planar surface of said foam body, said facer including a glass substrate having an internal planar surface proximate to said foam body and an external planar surface opposite said foam body, a first coating disposed on said external surface, and a second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface, where said first coating disposed on said external surface includes an inert filler, and where said second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface includes intumescent material.