Fire-retardant and fire-resistant coatings: From industry to the potential use on cultural heritage.

• For the first time, fire occurrence in heritage facilities and the use of fire-retardant and fire-resistant coatings are discussed in a comprehensive approach. • Studies on the development and application of fire-retardant and fire-resistant coatings, addressing the different mechanisms of action and the main formulations, are reviewed. • The leading causes of fires, the factors contributing to their spread, and the fire protection measures applied to heritage facilities are described. • Based on published research, the use of fire-retardant and fire-resistant coatings in museum and storage environments is addressed, and an overview of the limited research on the application of these coatings in heritage environments is provided. • The value of fire-protective coatings is recognised as an additional measure to collections in fire-prone locations or for facilities more susceptible to fire-related events. Fire is one of the most damaging deterioration agents in a short time of action. It can cause considerable damage, leading to the loss of lives and possessions. Concerning fire safety recommendations, buildings must be protected by an integrated system of passive and active measures. Two passive measures widely used in many industries are fire-retardant and fire-resistant coatings. These systems provide a fire-protective layer to the surfaces of flammable and non-flammable materials, delaying or preventing their ignition, reducing the heat transfer from the source to the substrate and decreasing the flame spread and the release of smoke and toxic gases. When exposed to fire, according to the different mechanisms of action, fire-protective coatings (FPC) can be classified as non-intumescent and intumescent. Despite being widely mentioned in heritage fire safety guidelines, studies on their application in the field are still scarce. Namely, research on the safety and efficacy of their application near collections (in support materials) and systematic studies comparing different formulations. Therefore, this research assembles interdisciplinary studies on the use of FPC to deepen knowledge and theoretically identify the feasibility of their application in collection support/storage materials or exhibition furniture (bookshelves, cabinets, plinths) in heritage environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]