TOP40A Water-Based Microcapsule Forest Fire Suppressant
Product Name: Water-Based Microcapsule Forest Fire Suppressant
Main Ingredients: Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Silicon / P-N-Si
Dosage Form: Microcapsule Aqueous Suspension (Highly Concentrated Type)
Fire Extinguishing Mechanism:
The microcapsule forest fire suppressant is formulated by coating three flame retardants (phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon) with food-grade polymer materials through microcapsule processing technology. It forms core-shell structured microspheres with a diameter ranging from tens to dozens of microns, presenting as a milk-white suspension when dispersed in water. The three ingredients work synergistically to achieve a fire retardant effect of "1+1+1>3". The fire extinguishing mechanism is as follows:
(1) Under high temperature, the fire suppressant loses water and decomposes, producing phosphoric acid and metaphosphoric acid that cover the surface of the combustible material. This makes the material dehydrate and carbonize rapidly to form a protective film, blocking the oxidation reaction. Meanwhile, water molecules are released to cool the temperature down quickly.
(2) Silicon expands in volume at high temperature, forming a dense nano-film to coat the combustible material and interrupt the combustion process.
(3) Nitrogen produced by decomposition neutralizes the oxygen in the air. When the oxygen content drops below 16%, the flame extinguishes automatically.
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TOP40A ,Water-Based Microcapsule Forest Fire Suppressant |
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Item |
Specification |
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Phosphorus content (P), wt% ≥ |
3.5 |
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Nitrogen content (N), wt% ≥ |
1.8 |
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Silicon content (SiO₂), wt% ≥ |
3.5 |
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Magnesium Hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂], wt% ≥ |
3.6 |
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Freezing Point, °C ≥ |
-5.0 |
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Freeze-Thaw Resistance |
Qualified |
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pH Value |
6.5～9.0 |
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Surface Tension, (mN/m) |
Deviation from the characteristic value not exceeding ±10% |
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Corrosion Rate, [mg/(d·dm²)] |
Q235 Steel Sheet ≤ 15.0 (Qualified) |
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Toxicity (at 20-fold dilution in water, for application concentration) |
Acute Oral LD50 in Mice ≥ 5000 mg/kg (Practically Non-toxic) |
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Fire Extinguishing Performance (Class A Fire) |
Fuel (Wood Blocks), Fire Rating ≥ 1A |
Core Advantages of TOP40A ,Water Suspension Fire Retardant
(1) Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic:
The forest fire suppressant & retardant core ingredients are phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon (mainstream eco-friendly flame retardants). No toxic or harmful substances are released during combustion, making it friendly to plants, animals, and microorganisms in forest areas, and it can even be absorbed as a plant fertilizer. The food-grade, naturally degradable wall material prevents microplastic pollution. It has been tested as practically non-toxic fire retardant , with an acute oral LD50 in mice ≥ 15,000 mg/kg.
(2) High Fire Extinguishing Efficiency
The effect of P-N-Si Compounding,delivers outstanding performance: it achieves a 2A fire rating when diluted 20 times in wood stack tests, and can reach 3A (the world's highest fire extinguishing rating) when diluted 10 times.
(3) Excellent Weather Resistance
After spraying, it can remain stably long-term fire retardancy on the surface of trees and weeds for several months, meeting the requirements for constructing firebreak creations and wildfire control.
(4) Low-Temperature Resistance & Easy Storage and Transportation
The forest fire chemical suppressant,it withstands low temperatures from -5°C to -10°C. Microcapsule technology significantly improves the stability of active ingredients, providing a 2-year shelf life, and the product can still be used after expiration if re-inspected. The highly concentrated formulation requires 10–20 times dilution before use, reducing transportation costs to just 1/10–1/20 of ordinary products. No on-site processing is needed, ensuring convenient application.
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Comparison Dimension |
Microcapsule Forest Fire Extinguishing Agent (e.g., TOP-40A Series) |
Traditional Fire Extinguishing Agents (Including Domestic 704/705 Types, Imported Halogen-Containing Types, etc.) |
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Core Composition & Environmental Friendliness |
Formulated with phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon; halogen-free, non-toxic (acute oral LD₅₀ in rats ≥ 15,000 mg/kg), naturally biodegradable. Components can serve as plant fertilizer, posing no adverse effects on forest ecology, flora/fauna, or water bodies. |
Domestic agents primarily consist of ammonium sulfate/ phosphate; some imported types contain halogens. Halogenated products generate toxic substances at high temperatures, damage the ozone layer. Some products corrode metals, irritate skin, and can cause fish mortality and broadleaf tree withering. |
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Formulation & Stability |
High-concentrate aqueous microcapsule suspension. Employs food-grade polymer microcapsule walls, resolving compatibility issues among multiple components. Stable for over 2 years (up to 3-4 years) under normal storage; remixing after settling is sufficient for use. |
Primarily powders or simple aqueous solutions. Components prone to oxidation, photodegradation, and volatilization. Domestic type 704 requires on-site mixing and cannot be stored long-term. Some products have poor weather resistance and low rainfastness. |
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Fire Extinguishing Effectiveness |
Achieves a 2A rating at 20-fold dilution, and 3A (the highest national standard rating) at 10-fold dilution. Synergistic action of P, N, Si enables cooling, oxygen isolation, and charring for significant flame retardancy. |
Domestic type 704 offers only about 1A rating. Some imported products are effective but toxic. Traditional aqueous agents have a high risk of re-ignition and limited capability in controlling large-scale fires. |
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Extended Core Functionality |
When sprayed in dry seasons, the nano-silicon film provides hydrophobic protection, maintaining flame retardant efficacy for over 5 months, making it suitable for firebreak establishment. Combines prevention and suppression. |
Only suitable for reactive firefighting post-ignition; cannot persist long-term to form a fire-retardant barrier. Lacks preventive functionality. |
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Ease of Use |
High-concentrate formula; requires only 10-40x dilution with water before use. Compatible with various equipment: water bombers, ground fire trucks, drones, backpack units. No specialized mixing equipment needed. |
Domestic powders require on-site water mixing and stirring, needing specialized equipment (cumbersome operation). Some imported products have low dilution ratios (e.g., 4x water), limiting flexibility. |
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Transportation & Cost |
High concentration reduces transportation volume, cutting costs to 1/10 - 1/20 of conventional products. Long shelf life minimizes waste risk. Expired agent can be repurposed as fertilizer or raw material for compound fertilizers. |
High transportation volume and cost. On-site mixing reduces efficiency, indirectly increasing operational costs. Some products cannot be repurposed after expiration. |
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Environmental Adaptability |
Low-temperature resistant, operable from -5°C to -10°C. Adapts to complex terrains; suitable for precise aerial application to establish firebreaks. |
Standard aqueous agents have poor low-temperature performance. Some products have high environmental requirements, limiting effectiveness in complex terrain. |
(1) Classification and Grading of Forest Fire Situations
● Classification: Grassland fires, surface fires (forest floor), shrub fires, crown fires (canopy fires), subterranean peat fires.
● Grading: Smoldering/sporadic fires, small fires, medium fires, large fires, major/conflagration fires.
(2) Pre-application Preparation
Based on the fire classifications and grades, pump the pre-measured amount of fire suppressant into the storage tank. Dilute with water according to the specified ratio, then start the pump and circulate the mixture for 3-5 minutes before application.
(3) Recommended Dosage & Dilution Ratio
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Fire Type & Grade |
Dilution Ratio |
Application Rate per Square Meter |
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Grassland Fires, Surface Fires |
15-20 times |
400g ~ 700g |
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Large Grassland Fires, Large Surface Fires, |
10-15 times |
600g ~ 800g |
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Major/Conflagration Fires, Crown Fires |
5-10 times |
700g ~ 1200g |
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Subterranean (Peat) Fires |
20-40 times |
800g ~ 1600g |
*Applicable Equipment & Aerial Spraying Retardant Methods
Applicable Equipment:
Seaplanes, ground fire-fighting vehicles (including unmanned fire-fighting armored vehicles and standard fire engines), and portable backpack spraying equipment.
Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Operating Specifications:
(1) Preferred Equipment & Parameters
Seaplanes are the preferred option. The spray droplet diameter should be 2–4 mm, flight speed 150 km/h, and flight altitude 80–150 m.
(2) Standard Spraying Dosage:
Regular dosage: 300–800 g/m²
Dosage for extra-large fires: 1000–1500 g/m²
(3) Fire Suppression Strategy:
First, spray a 100-plus-meter-wide fire retardant belt at least 1 km downwind of the fire zone (dosage: 1000–1500 g/m²).
Next, spray the crown fire area to quickly extinguish flames and slow down fire spread.
Then, spray the ground fire zone and coordinate with ground fire-fighting equipment to contain the fire.
Finally, use small backpack fire-fighting equipment to put out scattered small fires.
*Appendix: Fire Classification
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Fire Class |
Typical Combustibles |
Suitable Extinguisher Types |
Unsuitable Extinguisher Types |
Firefighting Precautions |
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Class A (Solids) |
Wood, paper, cotton, hemp, etc. |
Water-based, ABC dry powder, foam |
Carbon dioxide (low efficiency), Class D specialized, Class K (wet chemical) |
Avoid using water-based agents on live electrical equipment |
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Class B (Liquids/Meltable Solids) |
Gasoline, diesel, asphalt, etc. |
ABC dry powder, carbon dioxide, foam |
Water-based (can spread fire), Class D specialized, Class K |
Never use water directly; risk of splashing and spreading |
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Class C (Gases) |
Natural gas, methane, hydrogen, etc. |
ABC dry powder, carbon dioxide |
Water-based, Class D specialized, Class K |
Cut off the gas supply first to prevent flashback/explosion |
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Class D (Metals) |
Potassium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum-magnesium alloys, etc. |
Class D specialized (metal fire) extinguishers |
All non-Class D extinguishers |
NEVER use water or foam; risk of violent reaction/explosion |
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Class E (Energized Electrical Equipment) |
Electrical appliances, transformers, switchboards, etc. |
ABC dry powder, carbon dioxide |
Water-based, foam, Class D specialized, Class K |
De-energize first; if not possible, use non-conductive agents |
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Class F (Cooking Oils/Fats) |
Edible oils & fats (kitchen) |
Class K (wet chemical) kitchen specialized, carbon dioxide |
Water-based, ABC dry powder (risk of re-ignition), Class D specialized |
Cool the area after extinguishing to prevent re-ignition |
(1) Low Temperature Tolerance:
Microcapsule fire retardant can withstand temperatures from -5°C to -10°C. During winter storage, it is recommended to maintain warehouse temperatures above 5°C.
(2) Settling/Separation Handling:
As the active ingredients in this microcapsule aqueous suspension retardant have a significantly higher density than water, settling or separation may occur during prolonged storage. This is a normal physical phenomenon and does not indicate product deterioration or loss of efficacy. The extinguishing performance remains unaffected. Simply stir for several minutes before use to restore a homogeneous suspension.
(3) Storage & Transport Properties:
With water as the continuous medium, this forest fire retardant is non-flammable, non-explosive, and non-toxic. No special fire or toxicity prevention measures are required for transportation.
(4) Application Scope:
This product,encapsulated fire suppressant is a Class A water-based fire extinguishing agent, primarily designed for combating Class A fires. It is suitable for forest/grassland fires and other solid material fires. It must not be used on Class B (flammable liquids), Class C (flammable gases), or Class D (combustible metals) fires.
(5) Pumping Requirements:
To minimize transportation costs, this water-based fire suppressant is supplied in a highly concentrated form with a relatively viscous consistency. For pumping the concentrate, a metering diaphragm pump is recommended. Standard centrifugal pumps are only suitable for pumping the diluted solution.
(6) Shelf Life & Dosage Adjustment:
The fire suppressant has a shelf life of 2 years. Beyond this period, while extinguishing effectiveness may slightly decrease, the product remains usable. An appropriate increase in application rate is recommended in such cases.
(7) Environmental Disposal/Recycling:
The main components (phosphorus, nitrogen, silicon) are core constituents of agricultural fertilizers. Expired product does not require disposal as hazardous waste. It can be sold to farmers for use as base fertilizer or to compound fertilizer manufacturers as raw material. The P-N-Si compounded fire suppressant contains no toxic substances and poses no adverse environmental or aquatic impact after use.
Standard packaging is in 200-liter plastic drums or metal barrels, each with a net content of 200kg. Alternatively, packaging in 25 kg or 30 kg sizes, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes), or customized packaging per user requirements is available.
Compared to the reactive approach of deploying fire suppressants after a fire has ignited, proactive fire prevention is a superior strategy. Implementation can focus on two primary approaches:
(1) Establishing Firebreaks
A. Area-Wide Fire Protection within Forests:
The wildfire retardant can be diluted 20-fold with water and sprayed onto surfaces such as grass, branches, and leaves. Its flame-retardant effect can persist for over 5 months during the dry season. In drought periods, based on terrain and topography, the forest area can be segmented into smaller zones via aerial spraying application. Critical fire prevention zones can be outfitted with flame-retardant barriers several dozen meters wide, spaced every few kilometers. This method confines potential fires to limited areas within fire-prone regions, preventing their escalation into widespread conflagrations spanning tens of thousands of hectares.
B. Protection of Critical Assets:
Key assets within forested areas—such as residential dwellings, villas, historical buildings, cultural heritage sites, important scenic areas, and power transmission lines traversing forests—can be designated for focused fire protection. Aerial spraying retardant can be used preemptively to establish flame-retardant barriers several dozen meters wide around these assets or along both sides of transmission lines. This ensures effective safeguarding of property, cultural relics, and infrastructure even in the event of a sudden fire outbreak.
(2) Clearing Ground-Level Combustibles
Forest fires are often triggered by dry leaves and underbrush on the forest floor. During the mid-to-late summer months, when temperatures are high, rainfall is abundant, and vegetation is lush, applying herbicide can cause rapid decomposition of underbrush. This significantly reduces the volume of ground-level combustibles, thereby lowering the probability of fire ignition.
Note on Traditional Retardant vs. TOP-40A microcapsule fire suppressant :
Traditional forest fire retardants often suffer from poor stability, susceptibility to rain wash-off, and tendencies to oxidize, photodegrade, volatilize, or settle. These limitations render them unsuitable for establishing durable flame-retardant barriers. In contrast, this retardant utilizes a polymer encapsulation technology that significantly delays degradation. Protected by the polymer film, the retardant adheres to tree surfaces for months, maintaining a degree of flame retardancy even into the following spring when rainfall increases. This makes it particularly suitable for aerial application in constructing long-lasting firebreaks.
Throughout the over two-century development of chemical fire suppressants, halogen-containing products remain in use in many countries. The toxic substances and black smoke they generate at high temperatures not only endanger the lives and health of firefighters but also cause irreversible damage to forest ecosystems. Meanwhile, intensified greenhouse effects lead to climatic anomalies, with high temperatures and droughts driving up the frequency of forest fires. Individual large-scale fires can emit tens of billions of tons of carbon dioxide, creating a vicious cycle that threatens the very environment for human survival.
Formulated with a blend of phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon, the TOP40A Water-Based Microcapsule Forest Fire Extinguishing Agent is halogen-free, low-smoke, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic—completely eliminating the drawbacks of traditional agents. It offers highly efficient flame retardancy and enables the establishment of long-lasting firebreaks through proactive prevention, containing fires at their inception. This approach not only reduces firefighters' exposure to raging flames and toxic smoke but also curbs fire spread, safeguarding public lives and property. Its cost-effectiveness and broad applicability provide an excellent option for global forest fire prevention.
May technology empower us, using the innovative strength of TOP40A Water-Based Microcapsule Forest Fire Suppressant to rebuild our fire defense lines. We hope nations will join hands, replacing harmful legacy materials with green technology to reduce forest fires and carbon emissions. Let every firefighter return safely from their missions, let communities thrive amidst lush greenery, and let us build a sustainable legacy—a green Earth with clear skies, verdant forests, and clean waters for generations to come.
