A new wave of fire-resistant materials is poised to transform the construction industry, offering enhanced protection and valuable evacuation time in the event of a blaze. From chemically treated wood to graphene-infused plastics, these cutting-edge solutions are garnering attention for their potential to save lives and property.
One such innovation is Burnblock, a wood treatment developed by a Danish firm that has been deployed in numerous UK and Irish buildings, including HS2 construction sites. The clear liquid, which can even be consumed (though not recommended), forms a protective layer of char when exposed to fire, slowing the spread and intensity of the flames. Halt, a Belfast-based wood treatment company, uses a specialized process to force the Burnblock solution deep into the core of timber, effectively altering its burning behavior.
“Timber is an amazing material,” says Richard Hull, professor emeritus and fire retardant expert at the University of Lancashire. “You can ultimately change the chemistry of its burning behaviour.”
Meanwhile, in Australia, First Graphene has found a way to enhance the fire resistance of plastics by adding graphene – tiny carbon flakes arranged in a honeycomb structure. The company’s PureGRAPH solution, which has already been incorporated into products like protective footwear and mining conveyor belts, works by forming a protective gas barrier and creating a char layer to limit the release of flammable compounds.
“It hits the highest ratings in those tests,” says Liam Britnell, co-founder and chief technology officer of Vector Homes, which is preparing to sell a PureGRAPH license to plastic pellet manufacturers in the UK.
These innovations come at a critical time, as the risk of fires, both inside buildings and from external wildfires, continues to grow. Researchers at Stanford University, for example, are developing gel-like fire retardants that can be sprayed onto homes just before a wildfire arrives, creating a protective barrier.
“There’s an increase in wildfires,” says Alex Morgan, a chemist and flame retardant expert at the University of Dayton Research Institute in the US. “That’s why Eric Appel at Stanford University, and colleagues have been working on gel-like fire retardants that could be sprayed onto a home hours before a wildfire reaches it, to limit the damage.”
As the construction industry and policymakers grapple with the ongoing challenge of fire safety, these new materials and techniques offer promising solutions to protect lives and property in an increasingly volatile environment.
