Fire Retardants

Virtually all thatch fires occur in stone or brick built traditionally thatched houses. Research has shown that the vast majority of thatch fires are chimney related, as many as 90%. The majority of thatched properties have chimneys built prior to the 1960`s when chimney construction was only a single brick thickness. Old thatched buildings often have poor quality chimneys, and most fires occur in the winter when hot gases break through a poor quality chimney and ignite the thatch surrounding the chimney.

In the first instance naturally untreated cape thatching reed offers greater fire resistance than alternative traditional thatching materials and secondly none of our thatched structures incorporate a chimney!

However because your safety is our utmost concern, and to address any possible concerns of fire risks to any of our thatched structures, we have taken the decided to pre treat all our thatched tiles with a specialist thatch fire retardant chemical.

Although fire retardant treatment is currently not a legal requirement and fire retardant chemicals are expensive, we believe in putting your safety first. Experience has also shown us, that in certain areas, people can experience problems with building regulations if thatched structures are not pre treated with a specialist thatch chemical fire retardant.

Fire retardants reduce the flammability of materials by either blocking the fire physically or by initiating a chemical reaction that stops the fire. The particular fire retardant chemical used by thr African Thatch Company is called Flame Stop I-DST.

Flame Stop I-DST Thatching Chemical Fire Retardant:

Flame Stop I-DST is a highly concentrated fire retardant used for `hard to penetrate` materials such as thatching, bamboo, closed cell foam and other non-porous materials. This product prevents the spread of flame by developing a self-extinguishing chemical reaction. Flame Stop I-DST was found to be highly effective on thatching due to the flame spread rating of "10" obtained by testing using the ASTM E-84 Standard at Omega Point Laboratories. Flame Stop I-DST is a clear, odourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive fire retardant chemical.

Flame Stop I-DST chemical fire retardant is also available to purchase in liquid format in 5L, 25L and 208L (55US Gallon) containers.

Flame Stop I-DST Application For Thatch:

Dipping Method:
When dipping, please ensure that all thatch is completely submerged in Flame Stop I-DST. Keep the thatch submerged for a minimum of 15 minutes. Let it air dry for a minimum of 36 hours. Before testing thatch make certain the Flame Stop I-DST has had time to cure for 48 hours. When batch testing, hold the thatch at a 45 degree angle and try to light with a lighter, if the thatch flames for more than 5 seconds after the flame is taken away, retreat the thatch.

Spraying Method:
Spraying should be performed utilising an air less sprayer. Spray from the top down to all sides and underneath with a heavy coat. All thatch must be completely saturated with Flame Stop I-DST.

Applicable Standards and Testing:
Flame Stop I-DS has been tested to the following standards;
ASTM E-84, NFPA 255, UL 723, UBC 42-1 Tested by U.S. Testing LA62192
ASTM E-84, NFPA 255, UL 723, UBC-42-1 Flame Retardant Reed Thatching,
Omega Point Laboratories #8924-89133 Flame Spread 10. Listed by the State of California.

Limitations:
Do not dilute. Product will freeze below 35 degrees fahrenheit.

Material Safety Data Sheets:
Material safety and product data sheets for Flame Stop I-DST thatching fire retardant are available on request.