Eco-Flame Shield: Formulating a Hybrid Fire Retardant Coating Using Carbonized Rice Husk Ash, Carbonized Coconut Coir Ash, and Sodium Silicate

This research is a quasi-experimental study that experimented and tested the effectiveness of using carbonized rice husk ash (CRHA), carbonized coconut coir ash (CCCA), and sodium silicate (SS) in developing and formulating an eco-friendly hybrid fire retardant coating that slows down fire spread, provides a non-harmful alternative to conventional fire retardants, and promotes practical solutions and fire safety measures in various applications, benefiting the environment, community, and public safety. Through experimental tests, such as Time to Ignition, Flame Spread, and Flammability tests, the necessary data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted using a quantitative approach. The results concluded that treated wood Sample 3, formulated with 10% carbonized rice husk ash (CRHA), 15% carbonized coconut coir ash (CCCA), and 75% sodium silicate (SS), was the most effective formulation compared to the other treated wood samples (Sample 1 and Sample 2) and the untreated wood sample (Sample 4). The formulated fire-retardant coating demonstrated promising results as an effective solution, reducing waste and dependence on harmful chemicals. Its potential applications extended to textiles and construction, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. Further research was recommended to explore controlled application methods and to broaden the understanding of this eco-friendly hybrid fire retardant coating, promoting wider adoption and contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic viability.