A lifesaver
In part two of our series on the importance of chemistry in our daily lives, we look at fire retardants
There’s chemistry all around us – in the food we eat, and in the products we use. And modern inventions use chemistry to great effect to make our lives better.
All modern homes, offices and public spaces, for instance, contain flammable materials. The increased use of plastic, foams and synthetic fillings might have made our spaces more practical, comfortable and energyefficient, but it has also brought with it an increased risk of fire. Upholstered furniture, carpets, wall coverings and drapery can all ignite easily, or burn rapidly. Flame retardants are compounds that work effectively for a range of materials to slow down the spread of fires. They are used in plastic cables in electronics, cars and public transportation, in PU foam in furniture, in synthetic textiles in cinemas and theatres, and in insulations foams in building construction.
In case of a fire, a flameretarded TV can provide at least 30 minutes of escape time. A study shows that highly flame-retarded sofas can give someone at least 15 more minutes to escape. Simply put, if materials used in houses or public places or transportation are treated with flame retardants, it will reduce the risk of fire, and give people more time to escape in case of an emergency. As it acts directly on the flame, it interferes with the burning process. It thereby effectively quenches the chemical reactions occurring in the flame, reduces the heat generated, and stunts the burning process. This is how a product, plays a critical role in reducing the impact fires have on people and property.