Unlike real grass, artificial grass is made from synthetic materials designed to be fire-retardant. This means that instead of fueling flames, the blades are engineered to melt and not burn when exposed to high heat from fires or other sources. Understanding how artificial grass achieves its fire-retardant properties can give Long Island homeowners peace of mind about choosing it for their landscape.
The Fire-Retardant Materials in Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is constructed from polyethylene and polypropylene, two types of plastic that are naturally fire-retardant. During manufacturing, the grass blades are extruded from polyethylene fibers. The fibers are then tufted into a backing made from polypropylene.
Polyethylene and polypropylene are thermoplastics, meaning they melt at high temperatures instead of burning. When exposed to an open flame or other extreme heat source, the plastic fibers will simply become soft and drip away rather than fueling the fire.
In addition, manufacturers treat the synthetic grass fibers with flame-retardant chemicals during production. These specialized coatings cause the materials to char rather than combust. The charred layer then serves to insulate and slow heat transfer to the layers underneath.
Third-Party Testing and Certification
For added assurance, many artificial grass products undergo voluntary testing by independent organizations to verify their fire-retardant capabilities. The most recognized certification is Class C flame spread from ASTM International.
To achieve a Class C rating, a lab technician exposes a synthetic grass sample to open flame under controlled conditions. The material passes if the fire does not spread more than 1 foot per minute. Artificial turf that achieves these benchmarks can be trusted to impede flames, not feed them.
Fire Safety in Action: Where Fire-Retardant Artificial Grass Helps
There are two scenarios where fire-retardant artificial grass truly demonstrates its advantages over natural grass for Long Islanders.
Barbecuing and Fire Pits in the Backyard
Sparks and embers from grills and fire pits can send natural grass up in flames. But with fire-retardant synthetic turf, hot ash and coal bits that land on the lawn pose much less threat of igniting a dangerous blaze. The fire-resistant blades simply absorb the heat without burning.
Hot, Dry Weather
Long Island summers often bring weeks of high temperatures and drought conditions. While natural grass dries out and becomes prime tinder during these periods, artificial grass retains its fire-retardant properties. If a stray ember from a cigarette or debris lands on an artificial lawn, you can rest assured it is far less likely to spread than if real grass were in its place.
Benefits Beyond Fire Safety
In addition to its innate fire-retardant qualities, artificial grass offers benefits that further reduce risks for Long Islanders. Unlike natural grass, synthetic turf does not need watering, so it stays resiliently lush and green even during hot, dry spells. With artificial grass, you can turn off the sprinklers and remove this external source of water that could feed fires.
Artificial lawns are also less likely to accumulate dry leaves, twigs, and other biomass that can help spread rapidly. The materials simply do not generate or collect this kind of flammable debris. Keeping your yard clear of accelerants is a key part of protection.
Enjoy Peace of Mind with Synthetic Grass
As you can see, artificial grass is engineered to maximize safety for Long Island homeowners through its materials, manufacturing methods, and third-party testing. At Long Island Artificial Grass, we exclusively use synthetic turf products that meet (and often exceed) safety standards. We’d love to walk you through our process and the materials we use – call us at 631-900-2955 to get started.