When an individual wishes to construct a building it is important they look at every aspect of the building to ensure it is constructed in the best way possible. Although it can be tempting to try and save a few dollars in building, taking short cuts can lead to the need to spend more money in the medium term than you would need to if you spent it at the start. One area this is particularly true is with safety. Keeping occupants safe is essential, and under the Building Code of Australia, it is a requirement that the building be constructed in a way that allows everyone to get out safely in an emergency. In the case of fire, this is especially true. People do not expect a fire, and as such, it is important that occupants have time to get out of the building safely.  That is why it is important to ensure you install fire retardants to your structure to help it stay upright in a fire. Fire retardants are applied to structural steel in the building to ensure that when exposed to the extreme heat of a fire, it doesn’t warp and collapse, which allows fire crews to get in and put the fire out. The retardant works by swelling around the steel and creating a protective layer which is resilient to high temperatures. With fire retardants, there are a number of options to consider. Some of the more popular options are fire sprays, vermiculite and thin film intumescents. Each option has specific advantages which make it more suitable in certain circumstances. Vermiculite for example is good in areas where aesthetics are not as important and where a solution is required quickly. Vermiculite is a mineral that actually expands when heat is applied to it.  When it is heated up and expanded it goes through a process that is called exfoliation. The mineral is most commonly mined in places such as South Africa, China, and Brazil, though it is found all over the world. However, vermiculite has in the past contained asbestos which makes it a very dangerous substance as inhalation can lead to concerns such as Mesothelioma. Another option is thin film intumescent. Thin films are a newer technology that look more like paint when they are applied. This makes them much lighter than vermiculite which is rock based, and also allows it to be painted over. This is ideal in situations where the builder wants to make the building architecturally attractive, and wants to show steel elements. Building is hard work, but safety should always be the number one priority. I hope this article has helped people understand the pros and cons of using fire retardants and some of the advantages and disadvantages of vermiculite.