A composition which retards the spread of fire, protects assets at risk from
fire
damage and emits a material which aids in extinguishing the fire. The composition
may be either in the form of a gel or a foam and may be used to protect any sort
of object, such as personal property, real property or even humans, from fire.
The gel form of the composition contains urea or a urea derivative that retains
water and releases CO2 upon heating. In addition, a rheology modifier
containing carboxyl groups is also employed. The foam form of the composition contains
the urea or urea derivative and the rheology modifier, along with a foam generator
such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. A method of retarding fire comprises
the coating of an item with the fire retardant such that the retardant protects
the item from the fire and aids in extinguishing the fire by releasing carbon dioxide.