Thirumal Mariappan

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http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/67675

#### **Abstract**

Fire retardant coatings are often required to protect a wide range of products of both flammable and nonflammable against fire. It is an oldest, most efficient, and easiest method to apply any surface without modifying the intrinsic properties of materials. Moreover, the initial phase of fire always occurs on the surface by ignition, and hence, it is important to concentrate on the surface protection of a material. Being an organic nature of conventional surface coating will burn easily and generate smoke and toxic fumes, which may not be suitable for application where fire protection or fire prevention is required. Reaction-to-fire and/or resistance-to-fire are to be considered for assessing both flammable and non-flammable material by using fire retardant and fire resistant or fire protective coatings. The degree of fire retardation mainly depends on the coating thickness, substrates, and efficiency of formulations. This chapter explains briefly the fire retardation of wood by using fire retardant coatings.

**Keywords:** fire retardant, wood, intumescent coating, charring, nanocomposites, sol-gel process

### **1. Introduction**

The devastating nature of fire creates havoc that result in great loss of both lives and assets. It can also cause serious human sufferings and financial losses. Thus, great attention has been paid to develop the effective fire protection methods in order to prevent any casualties and reducing economic fire damage to an acceptable level. Nowadays, because of rapid changes in building and developments in architectural technology have led to more complex structure of which using a strong and lightweight components, the wide range of materials in the form of organic or inorganic and synthetic or natural used in building are easily flammable or readily burning on exposure to high temperatures of fire. On the other hand, non-combustible material such as metals (except aluminum and magnesium) and concrete will not burn and

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support the combustion, or release the flammable vapors when subject to fire. However, it is important to consider these materials can withstand a fire for a specified period of time. In this regard, the strength and deformation of these materials deteriorate significantly at high temperature. As a result, the structural elements and assemblies may deform or even collapse when exposed to fire conditions. The allowable or extra time in a fire situation depends largely on the anticipated temperature development of the fire, which depends on the type and amount of combustible materials present and the ventilation condition [1–3]. Although protection of materials against fire by the use of coatings for indefinite periods is impossible, it can delay the spread of fire or keep a structure intact against fire, thereby allowing sufficient time for safety measures to be taken. This chapter covers with a discussion of the fire retardation of wood products that can be available in scientific literatures.
