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