No matter what field or industry you work in, there’s usually some lingo that’s familiar to you but sounds like a foreign language to an outsider. If a person who’s not in the know uses a term or phrase incorrectly, it can sometimes make us cringe a little on the inside. In the flameproofing industry, there are 2 terms that people outside the field use interchangeably, but often, they are using those terms incorrectly. Today, we want to clear up the differences between ‘flameproofing’ and ‘fireproofing.’ While both of these words serve a similar purpose, how they perform their fire-protecting functions are very different.
In simple terms, both fireproofing and flameproofing can protect a building from a fire growing into a devastating catastrophe. Both will reduce the severity of a fire as well as the extensive damage it could potentially cause. However, there are some pretty significant distinctions between the two. The main difference is that flameproofing deals with materials and objects inside the building while fireproofing deals with the building structure.
To get more specific, let’s break it down a little further:
Flameproofing is performed on distinct, decorative items and fabrics, such as curtains, rugs, drapes, textiles, wood, scenery, hangings, greens, etc. Materials and objects are soaked in or coated with flame repellent chemicals so they no longer contribute to combustion should there be a fire.
Fireproofing is performed when the building is being constructed, where the structure itself is treated.
Flameproofing causes a fire to be slowed or prevented in the interior of a building. This, in turn, minimizes property damage, human casualties, and personal injuries that are a result of flames and smoke.
Fireproofing prevents a structure from collapsing in the event of a fire.
Flameproofed materials can be seen by the public because items and materials inside the business site are treated.
Fireproofed materials are cannot be seen because the construction materials are treated during the building phase.
In flameproofing, the business owner or lessee is accountable for the flameproofing treatment of the objects and materials that require it.
In fireproofing, the building owner or landlord is accountable for fireproofing that is to take place during the construction phase.
Flameproofed items and materials must undergo subsequent treatments if they’ve been washed, dry-cleaned, exposed to weather or if the effective period has expired.
Additional fireproofing could be required if a building structure has had any kind of alterations or renovations.
Flameproofing is able to occur at any time because the items and materials are visible and able to be accessed.
Fireproofing has to occur during the building stage, since fireproofing affects the structural beams and supports.
At Queens Flameproofing, we are leaders in the flameproofing industry. We can treat the required objects with fire retardants that will meet all FDNY standards. We give our guarantee that your business location will be properly protected from fires through our effective flameproofing treatments.
If your business needs flameproofing treatments, we would love to help! Please call today to discuss your questions and so we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote: 800-972-5587.