Barrier obtained the license rights to the patented Pyrotite technology in 1986 with the goal to develop economically feasible alternatives to fire treated wood building products. After an initial R&D phase where an effective fire barrier laminate was developed for use with wood panel products, Barrier began an association with the Weyerhaeuser Company late in 1989. The association with Weyerhaeuser resulted in the development of the first surface applied fire treatment to pass the stringent fire testing requirements for a “structural” building sheathing. Weyerhaeuser, as part of this endeavor, tested over 80 other emerging technologies for fire treated wood and concluded Pyrotite technology was superior. Blazeguard® fire rated sheathing was first introduced to the US building products market by Weyerhaeuser in 1990. In honor of Blazeguard’s® innovative approach to fire treatment, Barrier and Weyerhaeuser received the coveted “Best of What’s New” award for new technology by Popular Science in 1991. As part of a cyclical restructuring in 1992, Weyerhaeuser released, and sold to Barrier all of its rights to the Pyrotite technology and the Blazeguard® product. Barrier manufactures Blazeguard® in a newly constructed manufacturing facility in Watkins, Minnesota. Current markets include: multifamily roof deck applications; the thermal barrier for structural insulated panels (SIPs); commercial roof deck applications; fire-rated wall assemblies and, specialty markets such as electrical panel boxes for the telecommunications industry
