INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In the 21st century, natural clothing and textiles are widely used in large areas and under ever more demanding environmental conditions. However, fire hazards associated with the use of this type of materials, causing life losses and property destruction, are of particular concern for governmental regulatory bodies, consumers, and industrial manufacturers. From 2013 to 2017, the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) recorded a total of 77,724 fire incidents, or an average of 15,545 fire incidents every year or 42 fire incidents a day. During the period, the total estimated damaged to property reached P23.273 billion or an average of P4.65 billion every year. Also during the period, 1,257 people were killed or an average of 251 deaths every year. According to the BFP, one of the top three causes of fires is open flame. Fires caused by open flames can either be triggered by torch, candle, or burning gas stove left unattended. The top three fire occurrences recorded hit residential areas, industrial, and mercantile or commercial buildings.

Describing the problem as deeply rooted in attitude, Fire Officer Vallejo said people need to learn to be aware and conscious of the consequences of negligence that may lead to disastrous fire. She explained a lot of fire incidents could have been avoided if only people will be more cautious of the things they do. Apart from that, there is another solution that can be used to avoid disastrous fires. The researchers aimed to use Alum, also known as “deodorant rock” and is commonly used for underarm hygiene, as a flame retardant specifically on clothing and textiles found at home.

Uses of Alum

Alum has several household and industrial uses. Potassium alum is used most often, although ammonium alum, ferric alum, and soda alum may be used for many of the same purposes.

• purification of drinking water as a chemical flocculant
• in styptic pencil to stop bleeding from minor cuts
• the adjuvant in vaccines ( a chemical that enhances the immune response)
• deodorant "rock"
• pickling agent to help keep pickles crisp
• flame retardant
• the acidic component of some types of baking powder
• an ingredient in some homemade and commercial modeling clay
• an ingredient in some depilatory (hair removal) waxes
• skin whitener

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to satisfy the following questions:

• Can the Alum help to lessen/retard the flammability of the cloth?
• In what extent (concentration) does the Alum can be much effective as a flame retardant on clothing?
• What are the types of clothing or textiles in which Alum, as a flame retardant, can be used?

Significance of the Study

The significance of this study is to help the families prevent the execution of fires, in all possible way. This will help the society in lessening the future property destructions and life losses that are caused by disastrous fires, and to other researchers to enhance their minds into improving the procedures/ways of this study to contribute one’s environment in the near future.

Scope and Limitations

The experiment consists of the vital substance of this study which is the Alum, some water, and the 3 cloth samples. The researchers used distilled water to avoid any inaccurate results and used sunlight to dry the cloth samples. The experiment was done in M.ZED Christian School, Inc. - Paseo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

1. Alum
2. beakers
3. distilled water
4. cloth sample #1
5. cloth sample #2
6. cloth sample #3

General Procedures

Collection and Preparation of Alum Solution

Six small packs of powderized Alum was bought and collected from Colonnade Mandaue. Each pack contains 25 g of Alum (150 g all in all). Then, it was divided in different concentration and placed into 3 beakers. The containers were set aside.

The Submerging of the Cloths

Cloth A (thinest cloth) was submerged inside the 1st beaker with the mixture for 15 minutes. Cloth B (thicker cloth) was submerged inside the 2nd beaker with the mixture for 30 minutes. Cloth C (thickest cloth) was submerged inside the 3rd beaker with the mixture for 60 minutes.

The Drying of the Cloths

After submerging the cloths, they were left outside on a table to dry completely before burning them later on.

The Burning of Cloths

The 3 cloth samples (with Alum solution) were burned one by one.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1
The table represents the ratio of the alum and water as we submerge the cloth in different time interval.

Cloth A, was submerged within 15 minutes in a mixture of  20 ml of Alum and 50 ml of water, Cloth B, was submerged within 30 minutes in a mixture of 30 ml of Alum and 50 ml of water, and Cloth C, was submerged within 60 minutes in a mixture of 50 ml of Alum and 50 ml of water. Based on. It is observed that Aluminum Potassium Sulfate delays ignition with respect to increase in concentration.

CONCLUSION

After several experiments conducted, it was found out that the Alum (Aluminum potassium sulfate) is an effective flame retardant on the three cloth samples used in this study.There is a significant difference among the flammability of the three cloths used in this study. The effectiveness of Alum as a flame retardant delays the ignition with respect in its concentration. Hence, it is clear that that this flame retardant are suitable for treatment of cloths or textiles to impart reluctance to burning and to answer the “call-for-help” on flammability nature of cloths and textiles, to save lives and properties.

RECOMMENDATION

The investigation revealed that Alum is an effective fire retardant. On this basis, it is therefore recommended to be included as a component in making fireproof textiles, wood, paper materials and cloths.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] https://www.ifsec.events/philippines/visit/news-and-updates/tragedy-fires-death-and-destruction-philippines
[2] https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-alum-608508
[3] https://www.britannica.com/science/alum