| All fabrics will burn but some are more | | | | People unfamiliar with fire retardants are |
| combustible than others. Untreated natural | | | | surprised to hear that wood or fabric can |
| fibers such as cotton, linen and silk burn | | | | qualify as a non-combustible material to a |
| more readily than wool, which is more | | | | certain degree. Should a fire strike, the |
| difficult to ignite and burns with a low | | | | chemicals react with combustible gases and |
| flame velocity. | | | | tars normally generated by the material. The |
| | | | tars are converted to carbon char which forms |
| The weight and weave of the fabric will | | | | on the surface, slowing the burning rate . |
| affect how easily the material will ignite | | | | The combustible gases are rendered |
| and burn. Recommended fabrics are materials | | | | nonflammable for the most part due to |
| with a tight weave. Heavy, tight weave | | | | dilution with harmless carbon dioxide and |
| fabrics will burn more slowly than loose | | | | water vapor released in the reaction. This |
| weave, light fabrics of the same material. | | | | happens automatically, driven by the heat of |
| The surface texture of the fabric also | | | | the fire, and requires no coating |
| affects flammability. Fabrics with long, | | | | maintenance, batteries, or plumbing; it is |
| loose, fluffy pile or "brushed" nap will | | | | true passive protection. |
| ignite more readily than fabrics with a hard, | | | | |
| tight surface, and in some cases will result | | | | According to the NFPA's National Fire Safety |
| in flames flashing across the fabric surface. | | | | Survey findings: Although the U.S. has a |
| | | | higher fire death rate than Canada, Western |
| Most synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, | | | | Europe and the Pacific Rim, the majority of |
| acrylic or polyester resist ignition. | | | | Americans are very confident about their fire |
| However, once ignited, the fabrics melt. This | | | | safety. Older adults express the greatest |
| hot, sticky, melted substance causes | | | | confidence even though they have the greatest |
| localized and extremely severe burns. When | | | | risk of fire death. Men are more confident |
| natural and synthetic fibers are blended, the | | | | about fire safety than women; although, of |
| hazard may increase because the combination | | | | the two groups, men are at a higher risk of |
| of high rate of burning and fabric melting | | | | fire death. The majority of Americans feel |
| usually will result in serious burns. In some | | | | safest from fire in their homes, when in |
| cases, the hazard may be greater than that of | | | | truth, home fires account for roughly 80% of |
| either fabric individually. | | | | all fires - and they pose the greatest threat |
| | | | to life. |
| Curtains, draperies and other articles in the | | | | |
| home can have their burning rates reduced | | | | The cost of operating public fire prevention |
| with flame retardants applied through | | | | services in the U.S. costs the taxpayers |
| chemical treatment. Such flame-retardant | | | | billions of dollars per year, most of which |
| treatment after manufacturing is not | | | | is spent on suppression of fire. Many people |
| recommended for clothing. | | | | have the attitude that "fire only happens to |
| | | | other people." But until fire strikes their |
| In terms of flammability, silk may be the | | | | home and family, fire prevention is ignored. |
| worst with a high burning rate, which may be | | | | Once fire prevention week comes and goes each |
| increased by the dyes and other additives to | | | | October, little thought is given to fire |
| provide color. | | | | safety and prevention until next year's |
| | | | campaign. Fire suppression is a necessary and |
| Cotton and linen also have a high burning | | | | vitally important service. It is, however, |
| rate but this can be alleviated by the | | | | "after-the-fact". This includes smoke |
| application of flame-retardant chemical | | | | detectors, alarms, sprinklers and |
| additives. | | | | extinguishers. The use of fire retardants or |
| | | | firestops is logical "before-the-fact" steps |
| Acetate and triacetate are as flammable or | | | | that should be taken. Fire spreads 1100% in |
| slightly less flammable than cotton. However, | | | | the first 4 minutes. Heat rises at 90 feet |
| they can be made flame-retardant with | | | | per second or approximately 60 mph. |
| chemical treatment. | | | | |
| | | | Approximately 90% of fire fatalities are in |
| Nylon, polyester and acrylic tend to be slow | | | | the home and 90% of the fatalities occur |
| to ignite but once ignited, severe melting | | | | during the sleeping hours 10pm to 6am. |
| and dripping occurs. | | | | Remember, smoke alarms and sprinklers cannot |
| | | | prevent the fire, but fire retardants in most |
| Wool is comparatively flame-retardant. If | | | | cases can prevent and/or slow the spread of |
| ignited, it usually has a low burning rate | | | | fire, which can greatly prevent lose of life |
| and may self-extinguish. | | | | and property in addition to using smoke |
| | | | alarms or sprinklers. By applying fire |
| Glass fibers and moacrylic are almost | | | | retardants to your curtains, furniture, |
| flame-resistant. These synthetic fibers are | | | | carpeting, etc., is very easy and is an added |
| designed and manufactured to possess | | | | safety precaution for smokers and small |
| flame-retardant properties. | | | | children in the home. Your home and family |
| | | | deserve the best fire protection possible, so |
| What is a Fire Retardant | | | | why not invest in it. |
| | | | |