Oxygen, heat, and fuel - are the three ingredients needed to create fire. Fire is a good servant but a bad master and it’s good to know how to combat it before it inevitably enters our lives with destruction.
What can we do and what materials can we use to minimize the adverse effects that fires have?
Fire retardant vs fire resistant - what is the difference?
You may not think that there is a difference between the terms fire resistant and fire retardant - but there is. Even though both terms are commonly abbreviated as FR, they don’t mean quite the same.
Here is the difference between fire resistant vs. fire retardant:
- A flame-resistant material is inherently resistant to flames. It can withstand high temperatures and still retain its qualities and attributes. These materials are self-extinguishing after the heat source has been removed.
- A flame retardant material has been chemically treated to withstand higher temperatures. A coating of flame-retardant chemicals makes a material much less likely to catch fire.
Bear in mind that there is no such thing as an absolutely ‘flame-resistant’ material. Given a high enough temperature, every material can be destroyed in a fire. Not even a diamond can withstand the temperatures on the surface of the Sun.
Here’s a list of commonly asked questions regarding the meaning of fire resistant and fire retardant.
Does FR mean fire resistant?
The abbreviation FR is often used for both flame-resistant and flame-retardant materials. Flame-resistant materials, like Kevlar and Nomex, inherently ward off fire. Fire retardant materials are chemically treated to have a higher tolerance to flames.
What does Inherent FR mean?
Inherent fire-resistant materials keep their fire resistance in themselves - they are naturally fire-resistant. This is in contrast to fire retardant materials, which are merely coated with a chemical that makes them tougher.
The list of inherently fire-resistant materials includes:
- Aramids - for example, Nomex and Kevlar
- Modacrylics - for example, Protex
- FR Rayon - for example, LenzingFR
- Polybenzimidazole - for example, PBI
Inherently fire-resistant materials don’t lose their properties after washing. Fire retardant materials can lose their heat avoiding properties after a few years of use.
What is fire retardant paint?
Fire retardant paint is a protective coating applied to walls and other surfaces that make the structure more resistant to flames.
Fire retardant paints are usually rated by the number of minutes they provide protection during exposure to open flame. They are usually rated between 30 and 60 minutes.
Fire retardant paint shouldn’t be mistaken for intumescent paint.
Intumescent paints swell up and create a protective foam when exposed to excessive heat during a fire. It suffocates the fire and protects the inner structures of a building.
What are flame-resistant cables?
Cables are a notorious fire hazard and a cause of countless fires in residential and professional environments.
There are three types of cables when it comes to their ability to withstand and operate under high temperatures.
Heat-resistant cables will operate normally in the event of higher temperatures, but will not function in the event of a fire.
Fire-resistant cables operate normally in the event of a fire.
Flame retardant cables will not operate normally in the event of a fire but will aid in preventing the spread of the fire.
Conclusion
Nothing is really fire resistant - given a high enough temperature and a long enough timeframe, everything in the universe will burn.
The number one cause of flames is human negligence. All of the measures we take, like using fire-resistant or flame-retardant materials, are just prophylactic for the inevitable slip-up in human behavior.
Similar to sunscreen, the significance of finding the appropriate cover for your boat is not to be undervalued.
Covers play an important role, and it will just be a matter of time prior you feel sorry for not giving the choice of boat cover the required attention it deserves.
Actually, boat covers play many significant roles involving:Keeping creatures small and large outSecuring your boat’s tools, exterior and interior from harmful UV raysProtecting your boat from snow and rain, dust and debrisPreventing thieves and decreasing the chance of theftTypes Of Covers AvailableCustomCustom covers are typically available for the most recent and well-known boat brands.
These covers have been produced particularly to fit a specific make and model of boat.
On the other hand, custom covers can be bought from canvas shops that have that alternative.Semi-customAs the name proposes, semi-custom boat covers don't cater as absolutely to the dimensions of a boat, year and make; rather they take into account a generic class of boat, for example, dinghy boat, fishing boat, or bass boat.UniversalWidespread boat covers are not made in light of a particular boat as they are mass delivered yet will accommodate your boat, maybe only not as impeccably.
What they need in fit, they make up for in expense.FabricBoat covers are prepared utilizing a wide range of fabrics, each offering its own exceptional set of benefits over the other.
