Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a highly versatile material that is used in a wide range of applications, from consumer products to medical devices and even in fire safety equipment. However, plastic also poses a significant fire risk due to its combustible nature. When exposed to high heat, plastics will catch fire, releasing toxic chemicals such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride acid, and heavy metals. The melting point of plastic is also relatively low, and it can quickly spread flames, making it challenging to control fires involving plastic materials. While flame retardants and firestop sealants are used to prevent the spread of fires, they may only provide a few seconds of protection and contain chemicals that pose health risks. Understanding the fire risks associated with plastics is crucial for fire safety, especially in built environments where plastic pipes and cables are prevalent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ignition point | Plastics have a lower ignition point than the temperature of the average building fire |
| Behaviour when exposed to heat | Plastics will catch fire when exposed to high heat. If they don't catch fire, they will melt and can then drip onto other combustible materials, causing the fire to spread |
| Behaviour when on fire | Flames from burning plastic spread quickly, rising as high as two feet per second or ten times that of wood on the surface |
| Additives | Hydrated Aluminium Oxide or Magnesium Oxide are added individually or in combination with bromine or phosphorus compounds to make fire-resistant plastic products |
| Fire safety products | Fire-resistant plastic has replaced metals to become the material used for making fire safety products |
| Plastic fire risks | Combustible plastic dust, hot work, combustible insulated panels |
| Mitigation | Adequate and properly maintained sprinkler systems, conducting infrared inspections |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic's low ignition point
Plastic has a low ignition point, which means it will catch fire when exposed to high heat. The flashpoints of plastics such as PE and PP are about 60 °C below their pyrolysis point. When plastic reaches its melting point, it can cause a new ignition and form a plastic pool fire, which can spread quickly. This is a significant fire risk.
The propensity of plastic to melt and drip when burning can cause unpredictable fire spread. Plastic building materials like PVC, PP, and PE will melt under low-to-medium heat and form a dangerous liquid. This molten plastic can then drip onto other combustible materials, causing new ignitions. With plastic pipes and cables in most modern buildings, the risk of fire spreading is high.
Flame retardants are often used to prevent the spread of fire. However, research suggests that they may only delay ignition for a few seconds, and their overall benefit in improving fire safety has not been proven. Another concern is that flame retardants contain chemicals that pose a threat to human health, with links to endocrine disruption and thyroid dysfunction.
The burning of plastic also releases dangerous chemicals, including sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride acid, volatile organic compounds, furans, dioxins, and heavy metals. These toxic fumes have been linked to various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, certain cancers, and birth defects. As a result, there is a growing re-evaluation of the construction industry's long-standing reliance on plastics.
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Fire-resistant plastic
Plastic is a highly flammable material with a low ignition point. It also releases toxic chemicals when it burns, which can cause a range of serious health issues. Given the prevalence of plastic in modern buildings, this poses a significant fire risk.
However, some high-performance plastics are classified as flame-resistant or fire-resistant. These plastics are designed to resist ignition and prevent the spread of flames. Flame retardants are added to plastics to achieve this, and they react under high heat or fire conditions to extinguish flames. While flame retardants may only delay ignition for a few seconds, they can still be effective in preventing fires from spreading.
There are various standards and tests for classifying the flammability of plastics, such as the internationally accepted UL94 test and the European standard EN-45545 for fire protection in railway vehicles. These tests assess the combustion behaviour, flue gas toxicity, and other flammability properties of heat-resistant plastics. In the aviation industry, the fire test FAR 25.853 is of significant importance, and materials that pass this test can also meet the more stringent requirements of other industrial segments.
Despite the benefits of flame retardants, there are concerns about their potential negative impact on human health. For example, brominated flame retardants, commonly used with plastics, have been linked to endocrine disruption and thyroid dysfunction. As a result, the construction industry is re-evaluating its reliance on plastics and exploring alternative fire prevention methods.
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Plastic's release of toxic chemicals
Plastic has a lower ignition point than the temperature of the average building fire and will catch fire when exposed to high heat. If plastic doesn't ignite, it will melt, and common plastic building materials like PVC, PP, and PE will form a dangerous liquid that can drip onto other flammable materials, causing the fire to spread. Plastic building materials have been found to release dangerous chemicals when exposed to high temperatures, including sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride acid, volatile organic materials, furans, dioxins, and heavy metals. These harmful toxins released into the air by burning plastic have been linked to a vast number of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, certain cancers, and birth defects.
The UNEP's "Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report" highlights the urgent need to address the chemicals in plastics as part of global action on plastic pollution. The report outlines ten groups of chemicals of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics. These include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols, and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Women and children are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of these chemicals. Exposures during fetal development and childhood can cause neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders, while exposure to hazardous chemicals in plastics has been linked to substantial detrimental effects on male fertility. Chemicals of concern can be released from plastics at any stage of their life cycle, from raw material extraction to the use and disposal of plastic products, especially when waste is not properly managed.
The best way to find out whether a plastic product contains high-concern chemicals is by requesting this information from the manufacturer or retailer. The Australian Government has established the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) to help manage the environmental risks of chemicals, and careful management of these chemicals, including phasing them out of plastics, will help reduce their environmental impact.
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Plastic dust's combustibility
Plastic dust is a fine particulate matter that is released during the processing of plastic materials. Plastic dust is combustible, meaning it can catch fire and explode when exposed to an ignition source. This poses a significant risk in various industries, particularly those with high volumes of plastic production, as the accumulation of plastic dust can lead to fires, explosions, and severe workplace injuries.
The combustibility of plastic dust is a serious concern in plastics processing and fabrication facilities. During the manufacturing of plastic components, processes such as trimming and shaping inevitably release plastic dust into the air. As this dust accumulates, it can pose a fire and explosion hazard. Plastic dust is particularly dangerous because it can generate volatile gas. When plastic dust is heated, it melts and evaporates, creating a flammable gas that can easily ignite and cause an explosion.
To mitigate the risk of combustible plastic dust, plastics facility owners must implement effective dust management strategies. While dust collection systems are commonly used, they may not always capture all the plastic particles or fully eliminate the risk. More advanced solutions, such as SonicAire's industrial dust control fans, use high-velocity airflow to prevent the accumulation of plastic dust on overhead structures and disrupt upward thermal currents that can carry dust particles. These proactive measures are crucial for maintaining clean facilities and protecting employees and equipment from the dangers of combustible plastic dust.
Additionally, combustible plastic dust can have adverse health effects. When plastic materials burn, they release dangerous chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride acid, volatile organic compounds, furans, dioxins, and heavy metals. Exposure to these toxic fumes has been linked to various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, certain cancers, and even birth defects. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the prevention and management of combustible plastic dust to safeguard both human health and industrial safety.
In summary, plastic dust combustibility is a critical issue in industries involving plastic processing and manufacturing. The accumulation of plastic dust can lead to fires, explosions, and hazardous health consequences. By understanding the risks associated with combustible plastic dust, industries can implement effective dust management strategies to ensure occupational safety and mitigate the potential for devastating accidents.
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Flame retardants' effectiveness
Plastics are commonly used in buildings, with pipes and cables running through walls and floors in most modern constructions. All plastics have a lower ignition point than the temperature of the average building fire, and they release dangerous chemicals when exposed to high temperatures. This makes plastics highly flammable, and the flames from burning plastic tend to spread quickly.
Flame retardants are chemical compounds added to plastics to prevent, delay, or slow down combustion, reduce smoke formation, and prevent the material from melting and dripping. They work by interfering with or eliminating one of the three key ingredients required for fire: fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. There are several types of flame retardants, including halogenated compounds, non-halogen compounds, and metallic oxides. Halogenated compounds, such as brominated and chlorinated types, are the most common and are highly effective at relatively low load levels. However, they have been linked to endocrine disruption and thyroid dysfunction, raising concerns about their impact on human health.
Non-halogen flame retardants, such as intumescents (phosphorus-based) and metallic oxides, are increasing in demand. These non-halogen compounds can form a solid layer of carbon char on the surface of the plastic during a fire, acting as a barrier that interrupts the combustion process. Endothermic cooling is another class of non-halogen flame retardants that use metallic oxides or hydrated minerals to remove heat and release water molecules during a fire, cooling the plastic and hindering combustion. However, these non-halogen options often require higher load levels and additional adjustments to maintain the mechanical properties of the plastic.
The selection of the right flame retardant depends on various factors, including compatibility, molecular weight, and thermal stability. For example, blooming, where the flame retardant migrates to the surface of the plastic over time, is less likely to occur with higher compatibility and molecular weight. Additionally, the thermal stability of the flame retardant should match the processing temperatures of the plastic, with MDH being preferred for processing temperatures near or above 220°C.
While flame retardants can be effective in delaying ignition, their overall benefit in improving fire safety has been questioned. The San Antonio statement, signed in 2010 by 30 countries, concluded that the benefit of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants in fire safety has not been proven. Furthermore, the environmental impact of flame retardants is also a concern, with a need for sustainable bio-based alternatives that reduce environmental footprints while improving fire performance.
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Frequently asked questions
All plastics have a lower ignition point than the temperature of the average building fire. Plastic will therefore catch fire when exposed to high heat.
Plastic releases dangerous chemicals when it burns, including sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride acid, volatile organic materials, furans, dioxins and heavy metals. These toxins are linked to a number of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers and birth defects.
If plastic doesn't ignite, it will likely melt. Plastic building materials like PVC, PP and PE will melt under low-to-medium heat and form a dangerous liquid. This liquid can then drip onto other flammable materials, causing the fire to spread.
Plastics can be processed to make them fire-resistant, flame retardant, non-flammable or self-extinguishing by adding other chemicals during manufacturing. For example, adding halogens will retard burning.
