Flame retardant treatment of materials

Fire-retardant treatment means applying to a combustible material a product that delays its ignition and limits the spread of flame, in order to reach the reaction-to-fire classification required — most often M1 in premises open to the public. It is carried out by spraying until saturation and run-off, by immersion in a bath, or by an intumescent system, depending on the substrate.

For establishments open to the public, flame retardant treatment is essential to ensure fire safety. It’s a process that makes materials less flammable, delaying their combustion and thus contributing to fire prevention. But what does this treatment involve, and why is it necessary?

Flame retardant treatment aims to make materials resistant to fire or reduce their flammability. This includes methods such as chemical treatment, application of flame retardants, coating with flame retardant paints or varnishes, and heat treatment. These techniques create physical barriers or modify the chemistry of materials to slow the spread of flames. The main objective is to buy time for evacuation and emergency services intervention while minimizing material damage during a fire.

What materials can be treated with a fire retardant?

The following materials can be treated with a fire retardant :

1. Textiles : Clothing, upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets.
2. Wood : Solid wood, plywood, particle board.
3. Plastics and Polymers : Used in electronics, furniture, construction materials.
4. Construction Materials : Plasterboard, insulation, fire-retardant paints.
5. Paper and Cardboard : Packaging, decorations, office products.
6. Foam : Mattresses, upholstered furniture, insulation.

These treatments delay combustion and reduce the risk of fire.

What are the different forms of fire-retardant treatment ?

1. Chemical Treatment : Application of flame retardants to the surface or incorporation during manufacturing.
2. Fire-Retardant Coatings : Application of paints, varnishes, or special coatings to materials for fire protection.
3. Heat Treatment : Using thermal processes to modify the structure of materials and enhance their fire resistance.
4. Impregnation Treatment : Soaking materials, such as wood, with flame retardant solutions to reduce flammability.
5. Physical Treatment : Adding physical barriers or protective layers (e.g., plasterboard) to insulate combustible materials from heat sources.

These methods aim to slow the spread of flames and reduce the production of heat and flammable gases.

Flame-retardant treatment, an obligation for establishments open to the public

Establishments open to the public are required by law to comply with fire safety regulations. This means that in the event of a fire, criminal liability could be incurred. Fire-retardant treatment is therefore of great importance for the hospital sector, hotels, restaurants, and schools. Furniture, decorations, and materials in these establishments must undergo fire-retardant treatment treatment.
Specialized companies issue a fire-retardant treatment classification test report after applying the flame retardant treatment. This classification test report must be kept on hand, as it may be requested during safety checks.

What are the different fire-retardant treatment processes?

The addition of chemicals influences fire behavior in several ways :

• Absorption de la chaleur : Les produits chimiques absorbent la chaleur, réduisant ainsi la température des matériaux et ralentissant leur combustion.

• Formation d’une couche superficielle carbonisée (phosphore) : Une couche carbonisée se forme, isolant le matériau sous-jacent et empêchant la propagation des flammes.

• Émission de gaz inertes : Certains produits chimiques libèrent des gaz qui diluent les gaz combustibles, empêchant la formation et la propagation des flammes.

Les matériaux deviennent ainsi moins inflammables grâce à la réticulation des chaînes de polymères, qui renforcent leur structure et leur résistance au feu.

A highly controlled process via reaction to fire classifications

In the case of legal obligations, fire standards undergo rigorous control. French legislation has established classifications for the flammability of materials to assess their reaction to fire:

• M0 : Non-combustible materials such as cement, brick, and glass.
• M1 : Combustible but M1-classified materials such as PVC, composite materials, and fire-retardant materials like wood.
• M2 : Hardly flammable combustible materials.
• M3 : Moderately flammable combustible materials.
• M4 : Easily flammable combustible materials.
• The French scale stops at M4: there is no M5 class.

For flame retardant treatments, specialists guarantee the quality and classification of their treatment.

What are the different products for fire-retardant treatment?

• Intumescent paints and varnishes : These products swell when exposed to heat, forming a thick insulating layer that protects the underlying material from flames and heat. This process helps slow the spread of fire and minimizes property damage.

• Brominated flame retardants : These are chemical compounds containing bromine, used to reduce the combustibility of materials. They slow the spread of flames by disrupting the chemical reactions involved in combustion. These products are often used in plastics, textiles, and building materials but have raised environmental concerns and are banned in certain regions due to toxicity. Although effective, some brominated products are banned in Europe due to their toxicity and the environmental risks associated with their use and degradation.

What are the different flame retardant treatments possible?

• Surface Fire Retardants : Varnishes or paints applied to the surface of materials to protect them from fire.

• Protection of Steel Structures : Fire-retardant wood can be used to protect steel structures, providing additional fire protection.

• Cellulose Wadding : Used as insulation, this material is treated with fire retardants to reduce its combustibility. It offers good fire resistance and excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

• Pad Application : For flame-retardant fabrics, this method involves immersing textiles in a flame-retardant solution, then drying and polymerizing them. Some textiles are naturally M1-classified, while others require treatment to improve their fire resistance.

How to apply a fire retardant treatment ?

You may decide to purchase flame-retardant fabric or material directly. It doesn’t require applying a fire-retardant treatment. In most cases, for fabrics, wood, or decorative elements, it’s the responsibility of the individual to apply the fire-retardant treatment treatment. The most practical solution is usually using a fire-retardant spray treatment. First, identify the material to be treated and determine the number of sprays required. Then, it’s very simple. Using a sprayer, apply the fire retardant product directly to the material. If you are working with larger areas or need assistance, our team is here to guide you in your choices and can even treat your materials directly in our workshop. Contact us.