Fire retardant is 85 percent water, 10 percent fertilizer and 5 percent minor ingredients such as colorants, anti-corrosive material, thickeners (clay or natural gum), stabilizers and bactericides, according to the USFS public affairs specialist Jennifer Jones.

What are fire retardants made of?

Fire retardants consist of detergent chemicals made from a combination of wetting agents and foaming chemicals, fertilisers (ammonium and diammonium sulfate and ammonium phosphate) mixed with thickeners (guar gum) and corrosion inhibitors (for aircraft safety). They are mixed with water to form a foam or slurry.

What chemicals are in the red fire retardant?

How fire retardant works. The type of fire retardant most commonly used in B.C. is a concentrated liquid called Phos-Chek LC95A-MV. It contains ammonium phosphate, corrosion inhibitors, thickening agents, and iron oxide, which gives it a bright red color and makes it visible when creating fire lines.

Is the red fire retardant toxic?

The fire retardant is generally safe — the Forest Service has said its risk of chemical toxicity is minor for most animals, and it predicted no risk for people who are accidentally splashed — but the sheer volume that comes out of a plane is very heavy. ... The fire retardant is gooey — sticky, even, Turner said.

How bad is fire retardant for you?

Flame retardants do appear to present a threat to health, and may potentially do more harm than good in a fire. ... The study found that today's most widely used products contain the hazardous chemical element bromine, and that they actually increase amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide released during fires.

What is fire retardant and how does it work?

35 related questions found

What does flame retardant do to your body?

There is growing evidence that many flame retardant chemicals can affect the endocrine, immune, reproductive, and nervous systems. Some animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to flame retardants can lead to cancer.

Are flame retardant chemicals safe?

Growing Evidence Says 'No' New studies have underscored the potentially harmful health effects of the most widely used flame retardants, found in everything from baby blankets to carpets. Compounds thought to be off the market due to health concerns continue to be used in the U.S. ...

Is Borax a fire retardant?

The effectiveness of many boron compounds (e.g., boric acid, borax, etc.) used as fire retardants in wood and bamboo-based materials has been widely reported (Jiang et al. ... Borax tends to reduce the flame spread, but it can promote smoldering or glowing.

Why is fire plane water red?

Once mixed, Phos-Chek LC95A contains about 85 per cent water and 15 per cent liquid fertilizer, which is made up of ammonia compounds, plus small amounts of clay, food-grade thickener and iron oxide for a bright red color. The thickener makes the retardant splat instead of blowing away.

Why is borax a fire retardant?

Sodium borates (hydrated alkaline borate) are able to release water from their crystalline structure which will help as a fire retardant. ... Boric acid releases water as well to help extinguish the fire, but provides char forming value on the surface of the cellulose due to the presence of its boron value.

Is wildfire fire retardant toxic?

The Phos-Chek retardants, like all wildland fire retardants, contain ammonia that is toxic to aquatic life. Care is recommended, and is exercised to as great an extent as possible, by the using agencies, to minimize application into streams, ponds, and other bodies of water.

What is the pink fire retardant?

The retardant allows water to adhere to vegetation, or whatever it is dumped on, to form a barrier and prevent it from catching on fire. The pink colour is added to the mix to allow for other aircrafts to identify where the substance has already settled.

Is Fire Retardant a liquid or powder?

Fire retardants are available as powder, to be mixed with water, as fire-fighting foams and fire-retardant gels. Fire retardants are also available as coatings or sprays to be applied to an object. Fire retardants are commonly used in fire fighting, where they may be applied aerially or from the ground.

How do you make fire retardant?

Mix 9 oz borax powder, 4 oz boric acid, with 1 gallon (3.8 L) water. Mix thoroughly in large container. Dip fabric or spray on. Drip dry.

Do they use ocean water to fight fires?

Fire can be put out with seawater, though it is not usually used to do so. Saltwater can effectively extinguish fire, but it may damage firefighting equipment and hurt plant life if used. Saltwater use creates problems for both the water distributing equipment and the surrounding environment.

Does fire retardant wash off?

Wash retardant off as soon as possible. ... Unless removed from painted surfaces before the retardant dries, it is possible that some fading may occur. • The red color of retardants is due to the use of red iron oxide (rust) to make the retardant drop more visible to the pilots.

How long does fire retardant spray last?

A household spray bottle can be used for smaller ones, and unopened containers of the retardant will last up to 10 years. Safe-T-Guard is intended for long-term indoor use, not for a last-minute outdoor application like Garrett's.

Can wood be made fireproof?

While methods of making wood almost completely fireproof are available, most of these involve expensive materials or processes requiring special materials. Fortunately you can make a simple spray- or paint-on mixture at home out of easily-obtained chemicals that will help retard flame.

Is borax safe to burn?

Borax is a mineral and is sold as a cleaning product. Borax is a mild irritant, so it usually doesn't cause such deep chemical burns, said Dr.

Is boron a safe fire retardant?

Protection from fire for lumber and plywood

Boron compounds make effective flame retardants in lumber and plywood. Such compounds can be used in conjunction with other chemicals, including ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate or zinc chloride, or used alone.

Does Mountain Dew contain flame retardant?

There's flame retardant in your Mountain Dew. That soda with the lime-green hue (and other citrus-flavored bubbly pops) won't keep your insides fireproof, but it does contain brominated vegetable oil, a patented flame retardant for plastics that has been banned in foods throughout Europe and in Japan.

Is plywood fire rated?

Plywood and OSB (oriented strand board) structural panels are real wood, a natural insulator, and therefore provide good protection against heat loss and condensation. ... Tests conducted in 1974 by Underwriters Laboratories showed flame-spread ratings from 75 to 200 for common plywood grades.

What happens if you inhale fire retardant?

Inhalation of monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate can cause mild irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs and results in symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. Dizziness and headache are also possible. These symptoms usually resolve quickly with fresh air.

What are FR clothes made of?

Most FR clothing is made from material that is designed to be resilient to heat. Materials like Nomex, Kevlar, and Modacrylic have excellent flame-resistant qualities and are commonly used to make elements of FR garments.

Is fire extinguisher powder toxic?

The dry powder in ABC fire extinguishers is non-toxic but can cause skin irritation. You can check the manufacturer's website or the information on the extinguisher itself. The chemicals used vary by model and manufacturer but if they sprayed toxic chemicals they'd never be licensed for home use.