When designing a new building and exploring building codes, it’s important to familiarize yourself with flame-resistant materials. There are some materials that are naturally more flame resistant, and there are also ways to reinforce vulnerable materials against fire. Keep reading to learn more about what makes a material flame resistant and how to reinforce materials that are less resistant.

What Does “Fire Resistant” Mean?

“Fire resistant” refers to a fabric or other type of material that can withstand the heat from flames for a certain period. However, fire resistance is not the same as being fireproof. Almost any material can burn or warp from exposure to heat and flames, which is why “fire resistant” is a more accurate term. You should also know the difference between flame-resistant and flame-retardant materials, which concerns how flames affect the building materials.

Which Materials Are More Fire Resistant?

According to modern building codes, new buildings need to incorporate fire-resistant materials into their design for safety. Some fire-resistant materials that contractors and builders commonly use in building structures include the following:

• Iron
• Gypsum boards
• Brick
• Concrete
• Cement
• Treated fiber and mineral wool

These are some of the most common fire-resistant materials in construction because they help provide an extra layer of protection to a building’s structure. Additionally, chemically treating materials is an efficient way to improve the resistance of these materials and more.

How To Make Vulnerable Materials Fire Resistant

When contractors want to use materials that are less fire resistant, such as wood or steel, they need to apply a special coating to grant them additional fire protection. Intumescent paint is one example of a chemical coating that professional painters can apply to materials to make them more fire resistant. Contractors can also use exterior intumescent paints to protect buildings from wildfires and outside flames. Intumescent paints can help buildings with a wide variety of materials meet fire codes and become compliant with modern safety standards.

Now that you know what makes a material more flame resistant, you can choose building materials wisely for your next project. Remember the methods for creating fire-resistant components in buildings, such as using naturally resistant materials and applying intumescent coatings.

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