One of the first things you learn when you are studying any field or industry is key terms – those words or phrases that are of particular importance to the work you’ll be doing. Once you become an expert in that field, that terminology almost becomes your second language and may sound foreign to an outsider. Others may even misuse some of those terms, not too unlike someone who is just a beginning to learn a different language. In the field of flameproofing, we often hear a few terms used incorrectly. While we can still decipher the meaning, we want to clarify two important terms that many people use interchangeably, but are actually fairly different. Those terms are ‘flameproofing’ and ‘fireproofing.’
While it’s true that both flameproofing and fireproofing have a similar function – they both protect a building from the ravaging effects of fire – how they perform those functions are very different. To make a sweeping generalization, flameproofing addresses individual items and materials inside a building while fireproofing addresses the construction of the building itself.
To be more specific, let's break down their differences further:
Flameproofing occurs on decorative items and fabrics inside the building, things including rugs, carpets, curtains, drapes, textiles, hangings, greens, wood, scenery, etc. These objects are coated with or soaked in flameproofing chemicals so they won’t contribute to the spread or severity of a fire.
Fireproofing occurs on the construction materials of the building when it is being built.
Flameproofing slows down a fire once it has started inside the building, minimizing the spread of the fire. This reduces damage to property as well as injury and death as a result of flames and smoke.
Fireproofing prevents a building structure from collapsing during a fire.
Flameproofed objects and materials are visible to us because they are items located inside the building and individually treated.
Fireproofed materials cannot be seen because they are part of the hidden structure of the building itself.
In flameproofing, the responsibility of making sure the treatments are done falls to the business owner or lessee of the office space.
In fireproofing, the responsibility of making sure the construction of the building was properly fireproofed at the construction stage falls to the landlord or building owner.
Flameproofed objects require subsequent treatments if they’ve been handled in certain ways, such as washing, dry-cleaning or exposure to weather.
Additional fireproofing could be required if a building structure has had renovations or alterations.
Flameproofing is able to take place at any time because the items and materials aren’t part of the building structure and can be accessed whenever needed.
Fireproofing has to take place when the building is being constructed since the structural beams and supports are being treated.
At Bronx Flameproofing, we like our customers to be clear about what it is that we do and to provide an abundance of information so they can feel totally comfortable with the flameproofing process. We realize that our customers put great faith in us by allowing us into their buildings and trusting us with their belongings. We strive to meet all their expectations. If you have flameproofing needs we can help with, please call us today. We have been serving the Bronx as well as all the boroughs in New York City and beyond for over 5 decades. We would love to serve you, too. Please call us today! 800-594-0117