Thursday, February 6, 2014

Fire Retardant Coatings Must Be Maintained Well

By Marcie Goodman


Millions are spent every year on fire prevention. There are companies dedicated to helping protect and prevent fires from destroying lives and property. After years of research on propagation, new chemicals have been developed to prevent fires from spreading. Fire retardant coatings are one of these breakthroughs which have help save countless lives and businesses.

By preventing the flame from spreading both property and lives can be saved. Through new advances in materials, paints and other industrial materials, lighter and better products can be created. They are applied to objects that could be considered a common source of accidental fires such as Christmas trees.

Oxygen is a fires best friend and by using these powders and gases, it can be removed from the equation thus preventing the flame from spreading. Coating object such as sofas or curtains can prevent fires from starting. These coatings are not flame proof but are flame resistant. This will help to control or contain the flame for a short period of time in order for the occupants to flee the area that is burning.

With the use of retardants the flame cannot propagate and the flame is self-extinguished within a short period of time. This has also been a revolution in the painting industry. By adding these chemicals to paint, you can create a protective coating on walls and even heavy industrial equipment. Major sky rise buildings use these paints. By providing a little extra time to get out of the building these coatings help save lives.

These retardants can come in many types of forms, such as gels, powders and liquids. Stringent testing is done these chemicals and need to pass the tests before they can be declared safe for use. These retardants are not flame proof but are merely a way to stop the flame from spreading. Older houses which used lead based paints are more likely to burn quicker that there more modern counter parts.

One of the major structures that use these is in the massive oil super tankers. There volatile contents make these the perfect barrier to fires. Lighter plastics and noise reduction materials have helped vehicle manufactures to reduce the weight of vehicles. These materials can aid in the suppression of flames spreading and allow time for the driver to escape or be rescued.

Special gels have been used by movie stunt men for years. This helps make a movie more realistic without burning the stunt man. Vehicle manufactures are able to make lighter materials for vehicles. This includes plastics and noise suppression materials. In the likelihood of an accident these materials can reduce the flame spreading before the driver can be freed.

Lighter plastics reduce the overall weights of the vehicle thus allowing a further saving in gas usage. This also prevents toxic smoke in the event of a vehicle accident. These retardants produce benefits in every industry. It also plays a major role in the health and safety aspect of a company as it makes it a safer environment for both employers and employees. From everyday products to items you never knew existed fire retardant coatings can save lives and improve the lives of everyone that uses it.




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