Fire-retardant concrete is like regular concrete in terms of appearance and durability, but it has additional gypsum that makes it resistant to fire. The gypsum locks water in a crystallized form, and the water is then released as a gas during times of high temperatures to slow heat transmission.
Fire-retardant concrete can be a great addition to any multifamily housing unit or apartment building, and in this article, we’ll go over a few key reasons why.
- Creates a fire barrier: As the water releases as a gas from the gypsum in the fire-retardant concrete, it slows the heat transfer from the fire and creates a barrier that prevents the fire from spreading as rapidly as usual. This barrier can be effective for up to one or two hours, giving firefighters time to put out the blaze before the structure is destroyed.
- More time to escape: Another key benefit of fire-retardant concrete is that it gives people more time to safely exit the building during a fire. This could help prevent residents from panicking or getting injured due to an emergency.
- Minimize building damage: In addition to keeping residents safe, fire-retardant concrete can also protect your building safe in the case of the fire. The crystallized water trapped within the concrete can help slow the spread of the fire and prevent it from rising to consecutive floors. This concrete is also resilient, so it’s often quicker, safer, and easier to restore after the fire has been put out by the firefighters.
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