What is a fire retardant?

A fire retardant is a chemical specifically designed to slow down or prevent the spread of fire. This substance works by either chemically reacting to inhibit combustion or by creating a protective barrier on flammable materials. Its primary purpose is to enhance the safety of structures and materials in the presence of fire, thereby giving individuals more time to react, evacuate, or extinguish the fire.

Fire retardants are commonly used in various applications, including treated fabrics, building materials, and wildland firefighting where they are often dropped from aircraft to protect against advancing flames. The effectiveness of fire retardants makes them a critical component in fire prevention and control strategies, highlighting their importance in both safety protocols and structural design.