Infant Jesus Academy Marikina City

Fire Buster An Anti-Flame Spray

Submitted to: Mr. John Mark L. Doria Submitted by: Ligutan, Jason Jaspher C. Alcantara, Maria Olivia M. Fullido, Mae Marie B. Retoma, Ynnah Patricia C. Of: 9-St. Peter

Date: February 26, 2014

Abstract The researchers created a product mainly used for preventing fires as accidents involving said element are occurring more often than not, therefore bringing up the question, Can we prevent fires rather than extinguish it? They gathered the materials which are noticeably vulnerable to firefabric, hair, wood, paperand conducted an experiment surrounding these objects. Through said experiment and the data they had gathered during it, it can be said that the product they created gives a positive answer to their question. Chapter I 1. Introduction Fire is a vital element that affects our way of living vastly. It is commonly used for cooking procedures, such as boiling and frying. However, fire is still hazardous and lethal, and if not used properly, accidents could occur. Due to these reasons, the researchers decided to come up with a spray that, when applied, could make the object resistant to flame. They had thoroughly researched this topic and, with the information they gathered, came up with possible components for an effective fire retardant. Borax and boric acid were the first substances considered but were disregarded upon discovering their harmful effects on a persons health, which led to a search for alternative ingredients. These ingredients were the baking soda and the lemon juice. Baking soda is a base with a pH level of 9 while lemon juice is a citric acid which has a pH level of 2. When these two are combined, they produce carbon dioxide that displaces the oxygen that makes the fire breathe or helps the fire exist. 2. Statement of the Problem -Would an improvised anti-flame spray protect materials such as fabric, human hair and wood from fire? If so, how? -How long will the sprays effectiveness last? -What are the components/ substances present in the anti-flame spray?

3. Formulation of the Hypothesis: a. As a Fire Retardant: If the anti-flame spray mixture was sprayed to an object, then the object will not catch fire. b. As a Fire Extinguisher: If the anti-flame spray mixture was sprayed on an object on fire, then the fire would be extinguished. 4. Significance of the Study This study was done to help people discover an easier way to lessen accidents caused by fires. Fabric and human hair can often catch fire therefore, the researchers planned on creating a product that could prevent such situations. The product, when successfully finished, could be used on preparation for experiments and activities which involves use of fire. 5. Scope and Limitation This study determines whether an improvised anti-flame spray composed of baking soda and lemon is capable as a fire retardant and extinguisher. The test materials are limited only to wood, fabric, paper and human hair. The study does not include testing the anti-flame spray to other materials such as leather and metals mainly because of financial issues, but also because of the fact that the idea of an anti-flame spray had been thought up by the researchers because of the fire accidents they heard or witnessed and more often than not, wood, fabric, paper, and human hair are those who often catches on fire. 6. Definition of Terms a. Citric Acid (C6H8O7) - is a natural acid that is found in many fruits. It is very bitter, and it gives fruits like lemons and limes their characteristic sour flavor. Citric acid is a common food additive and is found in everything from sodas to candies. A small amount of citric acid can boost the "tanginess" of certain candy flavors like lemon, lime, orange, and raspberry candies, and make them taste more

natural and similar to the raw fruits. Citric acid is a commodity chemical, and more than a million tons are produced every year by fermentation. It is used mainly as an acidifier by prolonging the storage use of a product, as a flavoring, and as a chelating agent (helps bind ions and molecules to metal ions). b. Retardant -a substance that reduces the rate of a chemical reaction c. pH level -is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline d. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) -is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms each covalently double bonded to a single carbon atom e. Baking Soda -is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder and is chemically known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). It is often used in cooking and cleaning. Chapter II Review of Related Literature According to Virginia Franco, borax and boric acid, when mixed with hot water could be used as an effective fire retardant, however, the safety of such procedures was doubted because in a study made, it was discovered that these materials are risky to human health. According to dermatologists at the Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, these materials when overused could cause skin reactions, hair loss and serious illness.

According to Lissabeth Ross, when baking soda, which has a pH level of 9, and lemon juice, a citric acid and has a pH level of 2, are combined, water, a small amount of sodium citrate (the sodium salt of citric acid), and carbon dioxide will be produced, which, according to Jonathan Schroden, displaces air and prevents the fire from breathing, similar to what a liquid nitrogen does. Tap water can produce a little bit of carbon dioxide as well when mixed with baking soda according to Ross.

According to Alice E. Marson, baking soda is an environmentally safe, inexpensive, and economical non-toxic compound. She states that it can be used as a replacement for harsh chemicals used as ingredients in a fire retardant, namely borax and boric acid.

Based on a research conducted by Mats Nilsson and his buddies at the Trulstech Group, they have come to the conclusion that when there is a good balance between bases and acids, a great deal of heat energy can be absorbed. He also said that in chemistry, a base counters the effects of sour-tasting acids and with the right mixture, these chemicals can cause hot spots to cool. So, together, they developed an environmental-friendly, non-toxic and extremely affordable flame retardant based on a mixture of the natural chemicals you find in citrus fruit, grapes and flour. Reference: - Virginia Franco. How to Make Fire Retardant Spray. Retrieved from www.ehow.com - The New York Times. SCIENCE WATCH; Dangers of Boric Acid. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com - Lissabeth Ross. List of Liquids That When Added to Baking Soda Make Chemical Reactions. Retrieved from www.ehow.com - Jonathan Schroden. Like water, liquid nitrogen is good for putting out fire. Retrieved from www.ccmr.cornell.edu - Alice E. Marson. Baking Soda is a Super Household Aid. Retrieved from www.naturalnews.com - Max Christen. Putting out fires with lemons. Retrieved from www.odewire.com

Chapter III 1. Methodology In order to perform the experiment for the said study, the researchers used different materials. In making the product, they used 10 g of baking soda, 10mL of lemon juice and 5mL of tap water. In testing the effectiveness of the product, they used 8pcs. of 5x5 cotton fabric, strands of human hair, 8 blocks of wood , and 8pcs. of bond paper. In performing the experiment, the product must be made first. As for the testing of the product, the researchers decided to test it both on wet and dry materials to see the difference of the effectiveness. 2. Procedure A. Making the Product 1. Mix the baking soda with the tap water now contained in the cup and carry on the action until the powder dissolves. 2. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze to get its juice. Continue until you have 10ml of it. 3. Mix the juice with the mixture of baking soda and tap water. 4. Use a funnel to transfer the mixture into the spray bottle. B. Using the Product as Fire Retardant To test the mixture as a fire retardant, use fabric (cotton), human hair, wood, and paper (bond paper) for the experiment since they easily catch fire. 1. Prepare 2 pieces of fabric. 2. Spray the mixture on one of the fabric and label that fabric as such. Make sure that every part of it was sprayed. Leave the other untouched. 3. Light 2 similar candles. 4. Using the tongs, set the two fabrics on each of the candle and observe the time they burned.

5. Observe the state of each fabric and record the date in the table below. Fabric Did it ignite when you put it on fire? How many seconds passed before it burned? *wherein S stands for sprayed and N stands for the one not sprayed 6. Repeat the steps with the other materials; human hair, wood, and paper. C. Using the Product as Fire Extinguisher 1. Set the two pieces of cloth on fire in the same manner. 2. 5 seconds after it were set on fire, spray both of them; one with the mixture and the other one with water, Each sprayed 5 times. 3. Add another 5 sprays after 10 seconds if the fire is not yet put out. Repeat with another 10-second interval if still not extinguished. 4. Record the data. Mixture Made (Experimental Setup) Extinguishing Effectiveness (5 sprays) After 10 second s Water (Controlled Setup) S N Human Hair S N S Wood N S Paper N

Schematic Diagram Making the Product Mix tap water and baking soda in a cup until dissolved Cut a lemon in half and squeeze to get 10ml of its juice Add the squeezed lemon juice into the cup of tap water and baking soda and mix Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle with a funnel

Fire Retardant Prepare 2 pieces of fabric; one fully sprayed with the product, the other untouched Light 2 similar candles Set the two piece of fabric, one on each candle with the tongs and watch as they burn Observe and record the state of each fabric Repeat the said steps with the other materials; human hair, wood, and paper

Using the Product as

Fire Extinguisher Set 2 pieces of fabric on fire Spray one fabric with the product and the other with water after 5 seconds of burning, each sprayed 5 times If the fire is not yet extinguished, wait for a 10-second interval until spraying the fabric with another 5 sprays Record your observations

Chapter IV Data and Results Table 1. The Effects of the Product as a Fire Retardant Trial #1 Did it ignite when you put it on fire? How many seconds passed before it burned? Did not burn 3 sec. Did not burn 1 sec. Did not burn Did not burn Did not burn 4 sec. No Yes No Yes No No No Yes S Fabric N Human Hair S N S Wood N S Paper N

*wherein S stands for sprayed and N stands for the one not sprayed Trial #2 Did it ignite when you put it on fire? How many seconds passed before it burned? Did not burn 4 sec. Did not burn 1 sec. Did not burn Did not burn Did not burn 3 sec. No Yes No Yes No No No Yes S Fabric N Human Hair S N S Wood N S Paper N

Trial #3 Did it ignite when you put it on fire? How many seconds passed before it burned? No S

Fabric N Yes

Human Hair S No N Yes S No

Wood N No S

Paper N Yes

No

Did not burn 4 sec.

Did not burn 1 sec.

Did not burn

Did not burn

Did not burn 4 sec.

The anti-flame spray used is made up of water, baking soda and lemons juice. Baking soda is an environmentally safe and non-toxic product that when mixed to citrus acid produces carbon dioxide that helps cease fire. One of the planned purposes for the creation of the product is to prevent any fire occurrences. Through the given data in all three trials above, it can be stated that the experiment is a success in the matter of using it as a retardant because of the failed ignition of the given object that the product had been used on even as the ignition of most of the objects given when set on fire without the application of the products ignition time is relatively short. Table 2. The Effects of the Product as a Fire Extinguisher Mixture Made (Experimental Setup) Water (Controlled Setup)

Extinguishing Effectiveness

Extinguished in 2 sprays

Extinguished in 4 sprays

Through the data given above that only half the sprays needed on water as an extinguisher, it can be said that the experiment on testing the products extinguishing properties is a success. The numbers of sprays may vary at the extent of the flame, but

when used properly (meaning the amount of the product used based on the flame) it can be used effectively. Photos: Product Making:

Product Testing:

Chapter V Conclusion and Recommendation Through the experiment conducted, it can be said that the mixture of lemon juice, baking soda, and water can be used effectively as an anti-flame spray as all the subjects (such as the paper, fabric, hair, wood) did not burn after the product had been used on them. It can also be said that the product can be used more effectively than water as a fire extinguisher as it had extinguished the fire on the test subjects in half the sprays used with water. In further researches/experiments, the researchers will be conducting an experiment designed to acquire data on the duration of the sprays effectiveness and how it will affect its effectiveness if the container used would be the common container for fire extinguishers that is water.