Fire vs. Materials: Is Leather Fire Retardant?

Fire is an incredibly destructive force, and it can have devastating effects on homes, businesses, and lives.

Accidental fires caused approximately 2,042 home fire fatalities in 2022, demonstrating the importance of fire safety and awareness of the materials we surround ourselves with to prevent fire incidents.

One way to help protect yourself from fire damage is by using fire-resistant materials. But what materials are fire-resistant? Is leather one of them?

Find out on this blog what makes natural leather fire-retardant and how to use it to save lives.

What Are Fire-Resistant Materials?

Fire-resistant materials have a natural chemical composition that helps slow fire spread. These materials are not fireproof, but they can provide extra time for people to escape danger in a fire.

Usually, what makes them fire-resistant is their low thermal conductivity, high melting point, and the presence of certain chemicals that form a protective layer when exposed to heat.

These fire-resistant materials are common in fabric manufacturing, furniture, clothes, and other items exposed to fire risk in different scenarios.

Fire-resistant products are widely available and reasonably priced so everyone can invest in them for added security.

Is Leather Fire Retardant?

Leather is made from animal hides, containing naturally occurring oils that make them resistant to flames. The oils also help keep the leather supple and pliable so it won't crack or break under extreme heat and flames.

In addition, leather is resistant to abrasion and quickly reduces sparks' propagation.

Within the chemical composition of leather, we can find the following elements:

• Proteins and fibers (collagen, keratin, and elastin)
• Lipids
• Urea
• Tanning agents

The Importance of Leather Quality in Fire Prevention

Materials (like leather) prone to catching fire have a different manufacturing process since they have to accomplish a specific safety standard. The process consists of tanning and fireproofing with different methods, which makes them more resistant to ignition.

Each component of leather accomplishes a mission in making it fire-resistant, but it is important to consider that not all leather is eligible as non-highly flammable.

Poorly tanned or synthetic leather will not work in fire prevention and can cause a higher fire risk because it is more flammable.

On the other hand, high-quality leather is commonly used within industries vulnerable to fires, such as transportation, aerospace, public buildings, and construction.

You can identify low-quality leather by its color, texture, and smell. On the other hand, good-quality leather is usually creamy in color, flexible, and has a pleasant smell.

To ensure you are getting the most fire-resistant leather, look for the label certifying it as fire-retardant, or request this information directly from your provider before making a purchase.

Do Flame Retardants Work on Leather?

Besides being naturally resistant to flames, leather can also be treated with other fire-retardant products in spray,  paint, or emulsion.

These products are usually applied to the back surface of the leather and provide extra protection when exposed to heat.

The application of flame retardants can give an extra layer of protection and increase the time available to evacuate in the event of a fire.

Find the Highest Quality Fire-Resistant Leather Products

At RDR Technologies, we specialize in flame-retardant products to protect furniture and upholstered items.

Our main mission is to provide our customers with the highest quality products from renamed companies to achieve maximum safety.

Contact us today to learn more about our fire-resistant leather products and how they can help protect your family.

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