Flame-Retardant Design and Protection for Building Materials

Building materials often need to meet fire safety requirements that are set by building and fire codes, and for this to be successfully met, it requires close attention to the tests required by the codes, as well as understanding the material chemistry and end use requirements of the building material. A material that can meet a fire requirement but doesn't have the required mechanical and thermal properties for its end-use application is not a success. This chapter covers building components that require flame retardancy, including some discussion of building codes and standards. Fire protection of specific building materials including roofing and siding, insulation, and structural materials is discussed, including some insight into how to design fire-safe materials for these applications.