Chemical Composition of Fire Protectors used in Construction

Everything in this world is prone to accidents and mishaps. The same is the situation with buildings. Accidents such as sudden fire eruption, earthquakes and other environmental calamities pose serious threat to the buildings. 

It is the reason that adequate precautionary measures are taken at the time of building construction in order to protect them from potential damage. These protection thermal materials are manufactures and applied to the structure of the buildings.

Working and Functions of Fire Protectors in Construction

The major function of the protective material used in building construction to create a heat resistance in the skeleton of buildings to delay the process of destruction.  The idea is based on diverting the variation of heat temperatures by increasing molecular reaction. 

Further, firestopping materials work as physical fire barrier to reduce transfer rate of energy. It is usually done with the help of conduction or convection to convert energy into electromagnetic waves. 

Another working mechanism of fire protection materials is to absorb heat energy when they are exposed to extremely high temperatures.  It is done by triggering a chemical reaction which is aimed at forming a completely new thermal safeguard interface. 

For instance, a type of plaster used in the construction industry is capable of releasing water when exposed to heat. This reaction has the ability to absorb heat energy in a considerable manner. The thermal fire protection materials have the ability to remain cool at an approximate temperature of 100ºC.

Major Advantages of Fire Protective Material

Fire protection substances used in construction have various advantages as discussed below:

• The chief aim of such fire protectors is to create a resistance against the fire. However, they have some other benefits including decorative colors and durability.

• They do not cause load over the building skeleton because the material used as fire protector is highly light in weight and feel.

• Although high experience and strict rule for quality assurance are required to manufacturing the fire resistance products, but it is easy to apply them.

• The products do not change the intrinsic attributes of the structures when use on building skeletons.

Chemical composition of Fire Protection Products

Active and passive fire protection is used in the structure engineering. The substances are used in steel structure to delay or resist heat process in case of fire eruption. These materials include intumescent paints also. The chemical composition of major fire protectors is as given:

Acid Source

First and foremost important component of protective materials is the acid source. Generally, the salt in combination with a non-volatile acid based on inorganic nature is used to make passive fire protection materials. The inorganic base can be boric, phosphoric or sulfuric acid. 

The most widely used salt is phosphoric acid. Ammonium polyphosphate and Ammonium phosphate are usually used to release acid in case the temperature is high than 150ºC.

Carbonaceous Composite

It used in fire protectors owing to multiple hydroxyl diehards (-OH). The purpose of this compound is to dehydrate at the time of carbonized reaction. The use of pentaerythritol is frequent in passive fire protectors.

Foaming Substances

The chemicals such as guanidine, melamine, and chlorinated paraffin are used to create a foamy reaction. The mentioned substances cause to release foamy gasses in order to counter fire. The released gasses include hydrogen chloride (HCl), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ammonia gas (NH3). 

It is a way of creating more and more carbonization to deal with the damages of building fires.

Binding Resins:

The involvement of these gasses helps in preventing dispersal of fire. It is important to consider that these substances must not harden and severely sticky material. It is better to use thermoplastic attributes for higher results.

Conclusion

Although fire stopping materials are used frequently to make buildings capable of resisting fire, many are still unaware. Therefore it is the dire need to show people how passive protecting materials are used to trust the quality of building in the long run.

However, present advancement in engineering industry has led to various improvements in the construction industry. However, it has made the people satisfied with their living apartments and buildings with any apprehensions.