Last year in the United States, fire accounted for 4,275 deaths and 27,250 injuries. One in 65 fires resulted in the loss of life or serious injury. Fires occur for several reasons. They are caused by adult carelessness; children playing with matches; electrical cords and transformer short-circuits; spontaneous combustion of oily rags and numerous other causes. Whatever the source, all fires have two things in common; they are unexpected and their progression to total destruction follows a similar pattern. To prevent this progression of destruction, the elimination of fuel, heat, or oxygen is required. These elements make up the fire triangle.
For centuries, man has searched for an effective means of combating the disastrous effects of fire. Prior to the 1800s, water and dirt remained the firefighters ammunition for denying a fire of oxygen and heat. Thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property each year are lost to the ravage of fire. However, technology in today's modern fire protective coatings offers the opportunity to decrease these numbers dramatically. By supplying occupants additional time to escape and firefighters additional time to respond and work safely, lives will be saved. In a fire, every second counts. The job of a fire retardant coating is to prevent a fire from starting or to reduce the speed which flames spread and to lower smoke in the fire zone. Of the 4,275 deaths that occurred last year, over 60 percent were due to smoke inhalation. Lower smoke development allows easier access to escape routes, denies the fire an additional fuel source and can slow the spread of flame. These elements allow occupants valuable time to escape and fire fighters time to respond.
Fire Retardant coatings are tested according to ASTM E-84. The test requires that a coated 25-foot panel be exposed to flame for 10 minutes. The flame front is observed during this period as it progresses over the panel. By comparing this progression with known standards a Flame Spread Rating is determined. These flame spread ratings are categorized as: Class A (being the best), Class B, or Class C. Class A fire retardant coatings have a flame spread of 25 or less and a smoke developed of 450 or less. Class B fire retardant coatings have a flame spread of 26 to 75 and a smoke developed of 450 or less. Class C coatings have a flame spread of 76 to 200 and a smoke developed of 450 or less.
Today's fire retardants are completely non-toxic and non-staining. They are applied to wood studs and drywall of new construction or for pre-existing homes, apply to your curtains, furniture, bedding mattress, on carpeting beneath electrical cords and transformers, etc., gives you much added safety protection. Remember, smoke alarms and sprinklers cannot prevent the fire, but fire retardants in most cases can effectively prevent and/or slow the spread of fire which can greatly prevent lose of life and property in addition to using smoke alarms or sprinklers.
About The Author: For more information on fire retardants and products, contact the National Fireproofing Co. at; 1-888-391-3981. Or visit our website Click Here
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