Fire Dynamics

The goals for fire retardant are universal and can be simply stated in the following items:

1. Prevent the fire or retard its growth and spread i.e. the flash over [1]:
   
   • Control fire properties of combustible items,
   • Provide for suppression of the fire.




Figure 1: Flash over time vs fire retardant use [3]


Under the conditions of fire the use of the flame retardant gives a significant increase in the escape time available.


2. Protect occupant from the fire effects [1]:
   
   • Provide timely notification of the emergency,
   • Protect escape routes,
   • Provide areas of refuge where necessary and possible.




Figure 2: Smoke release vs fire spread [3]


The use of fire retardant reduces the flame spread and so the rate at witch the smoke develops. Less smoke production gives an increase in the escape time available.


3. Minimize the impact of fire [1]:
   
   • Provide separation by tenant, occupancy, or maximum area.
   • Maintain the structural integrity of property,
   • Provide for continued operation of shared properties.




Figure 3: example of functionalities that have to be maintained during the first steps of a fire [2]


The use of fire retardant reduces the flame spread and so the rate at witch the smoke develops. Less smoke production gives an increase in the escape time available.


4. Support fire service operations [1]:
   
   • Provide for identification of fire location,
   • Provide reliable communication with areas of refuge,
   • Provide for fire department access, control, communication, and selection.

To prevent the fire or retard its growth and spread, material and product performance testing is used to set limits on the fire properties of items which represent the major fuels in the system. The majority of fire safety requirements consist of material fire performance test criteria to retard its growth and spread. Based on test methods that evaluate fire properties of individual materials, the test methods are generally based on the measurement of the flame-spread speed.