FAQ's

What Does “Flame-Resistant” Mean?

Flame-resistant is a characteristic to resist ignition and to self-extinguish if ignited.

What Does “Flame-Retardant” Mean

Flame retardants are activated by the presence of an ignition  source and are intended to prevent or slow the further development of ignition by a variety of different physical and chemical methods.

What Is the Difference Between Flame-Resistant and Flame-Retardant ?

Flame-resistant naturally resist burning when exposed to flames, extinguishing any flame that strikes them. 

Flame retardant is a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity.

What is “Flame-Retardant (FR) Treatment” ?

Flame retardant treatment can be classified as either flame retardant or flame resistant depending on the result against an open flame. Since all FR standards are intended to test both types, flame retardant and flame resistant, these two terms are used interchangeably and may share the acronym “FR”. Flame resistant treatments will likely achieve a higher rating or classification than flame retardant treatments when applying the same test standard.

What are the requirements for Flame-Retardant (FR) ?

An ideal flame retardant should have the following characteristics:

  • High Potency-application is stable over a longer period, will be a proactive decision.
  • Nontoxic (Halogen Free)-according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), most fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation rather than burns.
  • Low smoke emission (causes of death during a fire is from smoke not necessarily fire).
  • No environmental effect during use and after treatment, most FR banned around the world due to harmful additives in flame retardant products.
  • Applicator submits approved SANS tested report ideally or equivalent internationally recognised standard test for compliance to issue certification.
  • SANS and global test reports for flame retardants can vary from 5 seconds to 120minutes fire rated treatments that makes materials non-combustible.
  • A client should choose most effective product as to ensure the fire marshals and consultants will approve the application especially for insurance claims.

What is “ Sapphire Flame-Retardant ” ?

Sapphire Flame Retardant is a locally manufactured product that stops the ignition of many natural and manmade substrates when it is applied and is recommended and regarded as a flame-resistant treatment. Sapphire Flame Retardant has been successfully tested according to SANS 10177 Part 9 and meets BS 5852 Part 2 and EN 13 501-1: Small-scale burning characteristics of building materials: ignition flame (not just a smoulder/cigarette burn test), flame spread and heat contribution. “Fire testing of materials, components and elements used in buildings.”

First tested in 1982 with SABS till our latest test report in 2018 it has passed as a Class 1 Flame Retardant.

At “Sapphire Flame Retardant”, we locally manufacture our  HALOGEN-FREE  Flame-Retardant product. Our product does not contain Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, or Astatine and is not harmful to Humans or the Environment.

What can I get treated?

Materials  that can be treated with Sapphire Flame Retardant

  • Wooden houses, (for insurance purposes)
  • Eventing industries-Curtains, Draping, Banners, Display stands.
  • Dried Floral Arrangements.
  • Movie industry-for stunts involving fire and open flames.
  • Home builders and commercial builders-mezzanine floors.
  • Fire Doors/ Rooms
  • Steel beams.
  • Hotels- Curtains, Sofas, Blinds, Carpets.
  • Fire blankets.

What Service do you offer?

We do the application using our SANS tested products.

We supply compliant certification when our product is used for clients and treatments completed by Sapphire Flame Retardants cc.

We have a South African National Standard (SANS) A high quality standard to stop the spread of flame, certification.

We do offer flame tests to prove the efficacy of our flame-retardant formulas for the different substrates and for the purpose it is going to be used for your specific requirements.