JetProducts has introduced a building product that purports to deliver eight times the fire-suppressing power of drywall, garnering the nickname "fireman in a wall.”

JetBoard fights fires by releasing water that is already chemically bound within the board, according to the Houston, TX-based company. The magnesium oxide board can be used in place of OSB, plywood, fiber cement board, or drywall in any application.

Photos: JetProducts

JetBoard contains chemically bonded water molecules but resists mold and mildew, according to the manufacturer.

The company says JetBoard's firefighting power comes from 13 chemically bonded water molecules. JetBoard uses no toxic gases or chemical vapors and fights fires by releasing hydrated water as steam that absorbs heat energy.

According to the manufacturer, the product is:

• ASTM-tested, Class A fire-rated with zero flame spread and eight times more fire suppression than drywall;
• Lighter than many boards and cuts easily;
• Silica free;
• Insect-, mold- and mildew-resistant; and
• Available in three standard sizes.

Green Manufacturing

According to the company, JetBoard is manufactured using extremely low energy input, with minimal waste that has similar properties to cattle feed and can then be used for fertilizer.

One of the most popular applications for JetBoard is as exterior structural sheathing for homes and buildings, the manufacturer says.

In February, JetBoard received the “Most Innovative Building Material” award from the National Association of Home Builders.

According the company, the award followed the product's approval for structural use within the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.

More information: www.jet-board.com.