Fire retardant
Fire Retardant
Fire retardant (pronunciation: /ˈfī(ə)r rəˈtärd(ə)nt/) refers to a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion.
Etymology
The term "fire retardant" is derived from the English words "fire", meaning a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame, and "retardant", which comes from the French word "retardant", meaning delaying or slowing down.
Related Terms
- Flame retardant: A substance that is applied to fabric, wood, and other materials to prevent, suppress, or delay the production of flames to prevent the spread of fire.
- Fire resistance: The property of a material or assembly to withstand fire or give protection from it.
- Fireproof: Materials that are able to withstand fire and not undergo combustion.
- Fire safety: Practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire.
- Combustion: A chemical reaction that occurs between a fuel and an oxidizing agent that produces energy, usually in the form of heat and light.
Usage
Fire retardants are used extensively in many industries. They are commonly used in the construction industry in materials such as carpets, upholstery, and in the treatment of a variety of different structures. They are also used in the aviation industry, in the military, and in space exploration.
Fire retardants work in one of several ways: They may coat the surface of a material, they may release a gas, or they may cause the material to char, which is less flammable and acts as a barrier to the fire.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Some fire retardants have been associated with health and environmental concerns. For example, certain brominated fire retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been found to persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, and they are suspected of causing neurodevelopmental and reproductive damage in humans.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fire retardant
- Wikipedia's article - Fire retardant
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