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US Forest Service Specification 5100-306a

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Biodegradability Tests to Protect the Environment -

Biodegradability tests were performed in accordance with OPPTS 835.3110(m) and OECD 301B.  In one case natural inoculum was used and in the other a commercial inoculum (Polyseed) was used.

Flame Guard Gel™ with OPPTS 835.3110(m) was 62% biodegraded and with OECD 301B was 66 % biodegraded in 28 days. These tests were preformed with a mixture ratio of 1 pound of Flame Guard Gel™ Powder to 1.7 gallons of water (1 to 1.7).USFS has classified Flame Guard Gel™ as “Readily Biodegradable."

Actual use of Flame Guard Gel™ as a retardant would not be a ratio of 1 lb to 1.7 gallons. Instead it would be from a mixture ratio of from 1 lb to 5 gallons up to 1 lb, to 8 gallons.

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The test results - 96 hours LC 50> 1000 mg/L for rainbow trout (60 days past hatching) in ASTM in soft water.

LC50 is the concentration of an agent in water, expressed as milligrams per liter of solution, that results in the death of 50 percent of aquatic test specimens within a specified time frame.

In the case of these tests, the exposure is 96 hours.  The fish, and the agent, are exposed in ASTM soft water.  This is simply a standard amount of defined chemicals added to distilled water so that it is consistent regardless of who is doing the test.

Note: Based on the requirements in the USFS specification, Flame Guard Gel™ with a ratio of .6 lbs to 1 gallon of water (or 1 lb to 1.7 gallons) had acceptable performance. This ratio is very severe since the working application ratio of Flame Guard Gel™ would be more in the order of 1 lb to 8 gallons.

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Acute Oral Toxicity - Concentrate - Required >500 mg/Kg –
Performance - >5050mg/Kg
USFS Acceptable

Acute Oral Toxicity - Mixed Fire Chemical - Required >5000mg/Kg
Performance - >5050mg/Kg
USFS Acceptable

Acute Dermal Toxicity - Concentrate - Required >2000mg/Kg
Performance - >2020mg/Kg
USFS Acceptable

Acute Dermal Toxicity - Mixed Fire Chemical - Required >2000mg/Kg
Performance - >2020mg/Kg
USFS Acceptable

Primary Eye Irritation – Unwashed Eyes - Concentrate-
Required - Mildly irritating
Performance – Practically non-irritating
Irritation score 0.7
Toxicity category IV
USFS Acceptable

Primary Eye Irritation - Unwashed Eyes - Mixed Fire Chemical
Required – Mildly irritating
Performance – Mildly irritating 
Irritation Score 8.0
Toxicity category IV
USFS Acceptable

Primary Eye Irritation - Washed Eyes - Concentrate
Required – Mildly irritating
Performance – Minimally irritating 
Irritation Score 1.3
Toxicity category IV
USFS Acceptable

Primary Eye Irritation - Washed Eyes - Mixed Fire Chemical
Required – Mildly irritating
Performance – Mildly irritating 
Irritation Score 17.3
Toxicity category IV
USFS Acceptable

Primary Dermal Irritation - Concentrate
Required - Mildly irritating Score <5.0
Performance - Score 0.8 Slight irritant
USFS Acceptable

Primary Dermal Irritation - Mixed Fire Chemical
Required - Mildly irritating - Score <5.0
Performance - Score 0.8 Slight irritant
USFS Acceptable

Based upon the satisfactory test results a review by the Forest Service Safety and Health Branch was not required.

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Cleveland Open Point Flash Point - Tests for Product Performance

Did not produce a flash point or a fire point.

Flash Point is the minimum temperature of a product at which it gives off vapor sufficient to form an ignitable mixture of a gas near the surface of the liquid under specified environmental conditions.

As you heat a product if gives off vapors some of which may be flammable.  The flash point is the temperature when enough of the flammable gases are produced to actually generate a momentary flame.
The open cup part means that this test is performed in the open environment rather than a closed system.

The safety issues here are that these products are used when it is very hot and they are often poured, transferred, or used near hot engines.  If a product has a low flash point the potential is greater for accidents and injury as the product gives off flammable vapor.

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Underwriters Laboratories Inc., performed fire tests for Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread (LIFT) under contract with the U.S. Forest Services.

Using UL Standard UL 1321 Flame Guard Gel™ offered significant resistance before the second layer of the substrates ignited.  The top layer charred with no visible flames. Instead the second layer ignited at 42 and 50 minutes through the cracks in the top layer.  The performance of Flame Guard Gel™ as a retardant was far superior to foams and elastomers and superior to other gels tested. The USFS conducts this test for informational purposes only.

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2024-T3 Aluminum, Corrosion Test Results

4130 Mild Steel, Corrosion Test Results

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