How Effective is Fire Retardant When Used on Fire?

When you need fire protection, you want to look into fire retardant products. A fire retardant, whether it be a spray, paint, or foam, is exactly what you're looking for. You may be asking, "Is it really that effective though? How could something really stop a fire?" We're glad you asked. Let's get to the answer right now!

What is a Fire Retardant?

Before we talk about whether a fire retardant is effective or not, let's first discuss what exactly this product is. Essentially, a fire retardant is a protective coating designed to reduce the spread of flames in the event of fire. These coatings are odorless and often have the appearance of traditional paints and varnishes. As well, they comply with building and fire codes because they give the substrate rated flame spread protection.

Let's pause for a minute and talk about "fireproof." It's important to note that "flame retardant" isn't the same as "fireproof." What a fire retardant does is make it much harder for the building to catch on fire and if it does, the flame moves very slowly. This gives the people inside valuable time to leave and the fire department time to arrive and put it out for good. In a situation like this, a few minutes can be the difference between a scary day and a deadly catastrophe.

Is a Fire Retardant Effective?

You may not be surprised to learn that much of a fire retardant is water. Fire retardant also contains salts, typically fertilizers, that alter the way a fire burns. This decreases the fire intensity and slows the advance of the fire, even after the water in the fire retardant has evaporated. It is designed to prevent flames from spreading for 30 up to 120 minutes. This paint makes it much harder for the building to catch on fire and if it does, the flame moves very slowly.

Order a Fire Retardant Online

When added to different products and materials, including anything from steel to wood furniture to fabric, flaire retardants can help prevent fires from starting or at the very least limit their spread. Fire retardants provide you with a critical layer of fire protection and can be vital to reducing the risks associated with fire. RDR Technologies specializes in fire retardant paints. Our goal is to offer the best in class products for each code requirement and substrate. As you shop our website, you'll see many great options. It's easy to find the fire retardant you need! One we especially encourage you to look into is the Contego HIGH SOLIDS Fire Retardant Paint/Primer for Steel. It offers exceptional protection from heat and fire. It can be sprayed, brushed or rolled, so it's incredibly versatile. As well, it's made from nontoxic, non-dermatic, and noncarcinogenic latex.