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A curious dance of flame and chemistry: What makes fire retardants so effective?
With climate change and increasing urbanization, the threat of fire has never been greater. People are increasingly relying on various technologies to create a safer living environment, and the use of fire delay agents has become an important part of firefighting work. How do these chemicals effectively slow the spread of fire and protect our lives and property?
Principle of fire delay agent
Fire delay agents have various modes of action, which can be mainly divided into two categories: physical action and chemical action.
Physical Actions
The most common physical actions include:
cooled: Some chemical reactions can cause the temperature of a substance to cool.
Forms a protective layer: Prevents underlying materials from catching fire.
Dilution: Some retarders release water and carbon dioxide during combustion, thereby diluting the free radicals in the flame and reducing the fire intensity.
For example, commonly used retarder additives include ingredients containing aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2). When heated, these chemicals release water and absorb significant amounts of heat energy, lowering the material temperature and forming a protective residue on the surface.
Chemical Action
Chemical actions can be divided into two main phases:
Gas Phase Reactions: Fire retardants interrupt chemical reactions in the flame, usually using hazardous organic halides.
Solid State Reactions: Certain retarders can degrade the polymer, causing it to melt and flow away from the flame.
For example, in carbon-based fuels, solid flame retardants can form a layer of difficult-to-burn carbonaceous coke on the surface of the fuel, further preventing combustion from occurring.
Practical application of fire delay agent
Fire delay agents have a wide range of uses, covering fire protection, structural protection, daily necessities and other fields.
Use in fire fighting equipment
For example, specialized chemical delay agents are used in various types of fire extinguishers and work well on different types of fires. Some delay agents such as Class A foam can effectively create a barrier in the early stages of a fire and prevent the flames from spreading.
Surface coating
Fire retarding agents are also applied to many objects. Christmas trees are often sprayed with a delay agent because when the tree dries out it becomes very flammable. Many buildings, especially dormitories and schools, also use this type of coating to improve safety.
Response to forest fires
In response to forest fires, delay agents are often used in the form of a mixture of water and thickeners, and are dropped from aircraft or applied by ground personnel to slow the spread of fire. When necessary, the delay agent can also be sprayed directly onto the flame to reduce the fire and extinguish the flame.
Material and Environmental Considerations
Although forest fire delay agents currently on the market are generally considered to be low-toxic and safe, they should still be used with caution. Excessive exposure to certain chemicals may have an impact on the ecological environment.
Health Risks
Certain internal delay agents such as organic halides have been shown to be toxic and may be harmful to organisms such as fish when released in streams or water bodies. Therefore, when using it, the potential impact on the environment should be given priority consideration.
ConclusionIn today's society, fire delay agents are playing their unique role in various forms. Whether in the prevention and control of forest fires or in daily life, they are important measures to protect life and property. However, faced with such a powerful dance between flames and chemistry, can we find a safer and more environmentally friendly delay agent?
