How to understand flame retardant

Flame retardants refer to a variety of chemical compounds added to otherwise combustible materials to create a layer of flammability protection, providing more time to escape and for first responders to save lives and minimize property damage.

Because the need to reduce the risk of fire is critical for many paper and textile applications, flame retardants are prevalent in products ranging from home furnishings (upholstered furniture, curtains, mattresses, etc.) to transportation (fabric seating, air and liquid filtration, and other components) to building and construction materials (carpeting and walls) and more. Each application has its own inherent flame retardant needs, presenting unique challenges to formulators.

Fire is fueled by three things: heat, oxygen and fuel (combustible materials). If you take away any one of those elements from the “fire triangle,” the fire goes out. Flame retardants work in one of three ways to meet flame retardancy guidelines. They rely on chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion, or they blanket the oxygen fires need to spread. Fire retardants may also cool the fuel through physical action or endothermic chemical reactions.

Fabrics with a tight weave - wool, modacrylic, 100 percent polyester and those that are flame-retardant treated are good choices. Heavy, tight weave fabrics will burn more slowly than loose weave, light fabrics of the same material. The surface texture of the fabric also affects flammability. Fabrics with long, loose, fluffy pile or "brushed" nap will ignite more readily than fabrics with a hard, tight surface, and in some cases will result in flames flashing across the fabric surface.

Most synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, acrylic or polyester resist ignition. However, once ignited, the fabrics melt. This hot, sticky, melted substance causes localized and extremely severe burns. When natural and synthetic fibers are blended, the hazard may increase because the combination of high rate of burning and fabric melting usually will result in serious burns. In some cases, the hazard may be greater than that of either fabric individually.