Retardant fire prevention often involves applying specialized coatings or treatments to building materials to significantly reduce their flammability. These fire-retardant substances are engineered to react when exposed to heat, interrupting the combustion process. They can work by releasing non-combustible gases that dilute flammable gases, forming a protective char layer that insulates the substrate from heat, or by altering the chemical decomposition of the material to produce less flammable products.

This effectively slows down or prevents the ignition and spread of flames across surfaces, providing crucial time for occupants to evacuate and for fire services to respond. It's particularly useful for materials like timber, fabrics, and certain types of insulation.