INTRODUCTION:

            Canada has one of the worst fire loss records of any country in the world. Although there have been some encouraging reductions in the number of fires, deaths, and monetary losses due to fire, the overall fire record is disturbing. Commissioner of Canada, in one of his annual reports, states that “residential properties remain an area of extreme concern… Arson and other set fires represent yet another area of major concern with the fire services. A continued fire protection effort by all authorities, aimed at these two primary areas, is required to reduce the loss of lives, number of fires and property damage” .(Fire losses in Canada, Annual report, published by the Fire Protection Association)

            It is only one or two minutes late for fire fighting and the fire would be a hazardous threat for humans’ lives. Fire can occur everywhere: at schools, at works, on the streets, at homes, or even in the forests. According to science, combustion, a form of fire, is a chemical reaction involving two or more chemicals where the molecules will readily react with each other to form additional chemicals. It is typically orange, hot and smoky. However, fire is not a state of matter; rather, it is an exothermic oxidation process by which heat and light energy are given out. Fire starts when a fuel with adequate supply of oxygen or other oxidizer is subjected to enough heat, and it is sustained by the further release of heat energy in the process, as well as a continuous supply of oxygen and combustible fuel. To stop fire means to impede the fuel in contact with oxygen (O₂). As we know water, foam, halons, carbon dioxide (CO₂) are some common fire extinguishers. The problem is how these substances can be released immediately to put out the fire. By exploring the methods of  releasing CO₂ instantly, it's apparent that we can use Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃) or Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) to provide CO₂ to put out fire. These compounds can be used to extinguish and retard the spreading of fire.

 Mechanism of action:

A. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3): is a colorless, odorless, white crystalline powder. It can be decomposed to form Sodium oxide Na₂O, water H₂O, and CO₂:

                        2NaHCO₃ ¦Na₂O + H₂O + 2CO₂

This reaction occurs between 100^oC - 120 ^oC.

B. Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3 ): is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, white crystalline powder. It can be decomposed to form potassium oxide K₂O_{, water} H₂O and Carbon dioxide CO₂:

                        2KHCO₃ ¦ K₂O + H₂O+ 2CO₂

                This reaction occurs between 100^oC - 120 ^oC.

•  When KHCO₃ or NaHCO₃ is sprinkled into the area where the fire is taking place, because of the available heat, it easily to be decomposed to release CO₂ and water vapor to quench the flame.

• In the case of forest fire, KHCO₃ not only acts as a good fire extinguisher but also enhance potassium absorption in soil (Potash fertilizer), reduce the loss of cations in acidic soil, neutralize acidity in soil and increases the action of phosphate fertilizer.

 Proposal :      

            If KHCO₃ or NaHCO₃ can be combined with household paint, it could serve as a safety precaution for homes. If a house was to catch fire, the fire retardant painted walls would contain the fire by releasing CO₂ which would delay and prevent the flame from  spreading to other rooms or houses. Suppose KHCO₃ or NaHCO₃ can be successfully added to paint without producing any by-product, this new fire retardant paint can save a lot of lives and diminish damages caused by fire.