Nothing gets your attention like hearing about a tragic fire. In a matter of seconds, our minds run through a whole line of questions: How did it start? Was anyone hurt? How bad was the damage? Thankfully, devastating fires aren't usually an everyday occurrence, and part of the reason that is true is because of flameproofing. We don't hear about flameproofing very often because the tragedies that flameproofing has prevented doesn't make the news. The act of fireproofing is getting more notice these days, yet many people still have questions as to what's involved. Today, we will address and answer some of those questions.
The first question to address is how flameproofing is performed. There's no one method that's mandated by the FDNY; variables often depend on the size of the job, the items being treated, and who is performing the treatments. However, there are some procedures that are required. Objects that are being treated are required to be soaked in or coated with fire retardants. When the soaking method is employed, materials are immersed in the flame repellent, allowing the treatment to be absorbed into the interior of the object. When the coating method is used, the materials are sprayed or brushed with the flame repellent. Soaking is considered to be the more effective of the two because the chemicals penetrate the materials more deeply.
Another question to address is the chemicals being used when objects are fireproofed. The most effective - and cost-effective too, by the way - are water-soluble chemicals. However, there is a limitation with water-soluble chemicals: they lose protection power when they come into contact with water, usually due to weather or washing. Other flameproofing chemicals may lose some of their protection power when dry-cleaned, and still, others may damage, discolor or be limited in the time frame of their protection. All of the treatments have shortcomings, but a quality flameproofing company can help you decide which is best. Whatever chemicals are chosen, they all must be on the FDNY-approved list.
A final question to consider is who is performing the flameproofing treatments. While there's some choice in methods and materials for fireproofing, a non-negotiable standard is that the company performing the treatments must hold a valid C-15 Certificate of Fitness issued by the FDNY. This company must either personally supervise or perform the actual flameproofing process.
Fires are a tragedy to witness and experience. We have come a long way in our society as far as means and methods of fire protection and prevention. At Brooklyn Flameproofing, we are proud to play a part in keeping NYC safe from fires and offering protection to the public through our flameproofing treatments. We would be happy to serve your business as well. If you'd like to discuss your needs and receive a free, no-obligation estimate, please call today. We would love to talk with you: 1-800-401-5415