A recent demonstration of No-Burn Wood shows flames coming from material being burned inside the dog kennel. However, the wooden dog kennel itself is not on fire. -Carlington Wilmot photoAvia Ustanny, Freelance Writer
YOU HAVE put years of savings and time into creating a beautiful home. Then a fire comes along and destroys it all. Can the insurance money replace all you have lost?
Apart from the loss to your pocket, a fire takes with it all the sentiments attached to stuff like the four-poster bed you bought in the first year of marriage. There are lots of memories there and all are irreplaceable.
Collectively, communities spend millions of dollars each year on damage caused by fire. If there was something you could do about reducing fire hazards in your home, would you?
Imagine a world where furnishings made of wood are fire resistant, where interior items such as carpets, curtains and bed mattresses are sprayed with a non-toxic liquid which prevents them from ever catching fire.
This is the promise offered by No-Burn products, which uses a new technology to make wood fire resistant, says the manufacturer No Burn Inc. of the United States.
No-Burn looks like ordinary paint, but is not. It is an "intumescent fire reactant" whose chemical makeup changes when heat is applied. It foams when heated, creating char-barrier or cocoon-type covering which protects fabrics, walls or wood from flames, says the brochure.
Locally the No-Burn is retailed by Lock Safe and Vault Limited in Kingston. Desmond Halsall, the company's CEO, says using the product should, over time, reduced insurance charges for fire peril.
While the product will not be able to stop infernos created by flammable materials, it will give people more time to escape by retarding the progress of the fire in areas where it is used, adds the manufacturer.
The line up includes:
No-Burn Wood Gard which can be used for all wooden items, including furniture. Just brush onto the wooden area until they are completely covered and allow to dry at room temperature. Two thin coats, the experts say, are better than one heavy coat. Drying time for the wood gard varies according to weather conditions.
No-Burn Fabric Gard, as the name implies is for fabrics. Apply an even coat across the entire surface to be treated. Allow treated area 12 hours to dry at room temperature. Although fabric will still char or decompose in contact with heat, it should not hold flames. The absence of flames will prevent the fire from spreading or getting out of control. The charring will stop as soon as the heat source is removed.
Shake products well before each use.
No-Burn Plus was made for use on painted surfaces. Apply like ordinary paint to surfaces, which are clean, dry and free of foreign matter. Rooms should be well ventilated when applying.
No-Burn Original is used on
paper products and wood where it is kept in the open. If wood is to be stained or varnished, No-Burn
original is recommended
If you are a smoker, spray your mattress or favourite chair with the fire retardant. No-Burn can also be applied to kitchen cupboards and curtains.
If you are constructing a new
home, it is recommended that you use No-Burn on floors and ceilings. If you have buildings, which are more prone
to fire such as gas stations, or manufacturing, the use of the product
everywhere is recommended.
