Concrete has long been propped up as a cost-effective, fire-resistant building material used in residential and commercial construction. Unlike wood or other organic materials, concrete is non-combustible, so it is no wonder that it is used so frequently in multifamily housing and hotels, where a fire could spread quickly and affect dozens of people. At Quality Controlled Floor Systems LLC, we provide something even better than regular concrete: fire-retardant concrete.
What Is Fire-Retardant Concrete?
Fire-retardant concrete refers to concrete that acts as a fire barrier and slows the spread of flames. It has a different composition from ordinary concrete, which is made of cement, water, and aggregates. The fire-retardant concrete we offer contains gypsum, a mineral that locks water into a solid, crystallized form. When exposed to high temperatures, the water will change its state from a solid to a liquid to a gas, which slows heat transmission.
Why Fire-Retardant Concrete Is Important
We specialize in pouring concrete floors for multifamily housing and recommend fire-retardant concrete for several reasons:
- Occupant Safety – Fire-retardant concrete may be able to save lives and protect families from harm if a fire breaks out.
- Firefighter Safety – Those who risk their safety putting out fires deserve to be protected as well, and fire-retardant concrete helps with that.
- Building Integrity – Ordinary concrete can crack and collapse when exposed to fire, but fire-retardant concrete is more resilient and allows for quicker and safer restoration once the fire is put out.