One of the potential solutions for protecting against fire losses is to integrate fire-protection barriers into products that are exposed to various fire risk scenarios. When a fire occurs, the barrier slows fire spread. The composition and performance of these barrier materials vary depending upon the product being protected. This article discusses the concepts, definitions, and use of fire-protection barriers, including their integration into various polymeric material systems, trade-offs and limitations, and the mechanisms of the four main types of barriers. The article concludes with identification of known gaps of knowledge along with areas of future work needed to advance use and performance of fire-protection barriers.
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