Posted by Nana Hinsley on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 @ 12:28 PM
Our company recently joined the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) so we can better understand how we can help our customers protect themselves from the ravages of fire. In the polyethylene industry, Fire Retardant products have been around for a few decades, but have really only come into their own over the past 15 years or so in the USA. Fire Retardant products were much more popular, and were specified on all construction projects in Europe many years before they became established in the USA.
Because polyethylene is made from petroleum/natural gas related products, in its natural state, it makes what Fire Marshals deem a "VERY EXCITING FIRE." When we make polyethylene fire retardant, we interrupt the combustion process using chemistry, so the products no longer contribute as significant fuel sources to a fire. Various additive packages made by additive manufacturers are readily available today, so we can make this a reality in most types of thermo-plastic or poly based products.
Many fire retardant plastics will still burn, but at a much slower rate, and at a much lower temperature, so they are not a significant factor should a fire occur. Standard plastics can be quite a significant fire hazard, and are even used as fuel sources in incinerators where "non combustible" items are incinerated. That should give one an idea how hot these materials can burn.
Fire retardant plastics are suitable for many applications within the construction industry, health care industry, shipbuilding and repair, cruise lines, military, government, laboratories, commercial buildings, scaffolding covering, and the list goes on. In fact, it is my belief that FR plastics should be used in any application where there is any potential for a spark or fire, or where increasing fire safety is beneficial.