Let’s be honest, no one likes inflammable items under the sun. But, it’s a fact that in the summer, the sun’s rays are stronger than ever.
If you have a natural lawn, it’s very likely that you’ve experienced the fire hazard it can be. It’s not hard to imagine the damage a fire can cause to your house and everything around it.
Does Artificial Grass Burn
Artificial grass is made from polyethylene, which is a non-flammable material, and is not treated with any chemicals.
Hence, it is a lot more resistant to fire than natural grass.
More accurately, high quality artificial grass has fire resistant properties and is a great alternative to natural grass.
Rest assured, artificial grass sold in the US must go through strict testing to ensure that it is safe for children and pets.
So it’s not very likely that you’ll be buying low quality, unsafe artificial grass here.
It’s also worth nothing that artificial grass burns at a temperature of 700°C, which your lawn won’t achieve under any realistic conditions.
Common Causes of Artificial Grass Burning
Although artificial grass is highly resistant to burning, it can burn under some conditions.
Here are some common reasons artificial turf might catch fire:
1. Open Flames
This is the most common reason that synthetic turf catches fire.
When people are grilling or otherwise using open flames, they sometimes use artificial turf as a place to dispose of hot coals and ash from their grill.
This is extremely dangerous because it can cause the synthetic turf to catch fire.
2. Electrical Wiring Problems
Electrical wiring problems are also one of the most common reasons that synthetic turf catches fire.
If there is any type of electrical wire or power source near the fake grass, it could short out and spark a fire on the surface of the turf.
This usually happens when people are installing new lighting or speakers in their yard and don’t properly ground their equipment before connecting it to an electrical source.
3. Insecticides and Fertilizers
Insecticides and fertilizers are two more common causes of artificial turf fires because they can be highly flammable if they aren’t stored correctly or used properly on your lawn or garden area around your home or office building.
These chemicals should always be stored in closed containers in dry areas that don’t get direct sunlight so they don’t become unstable over time and catch fire unexpectedly when you least expect it.
How to Prevent Your Artificial Turf Lawn from Burning
Here are some tips to make your artificial lawn better protected against chance of burning.
1. Maintain the proper level of moisture
Artificial turf that has too much moisture will burn more easily than artificial turf that has enough moisture.
You should water your synthetic grass regularly to keep it moist, but not sopping wet.
There are also products you can buy to increase the amount of water your fake grass absorbs before drying out again, such as a spray bottle with a mister attachment or a dripper system that waters your lawn for you automatically.
2. Use a fire resistant coating on your artificial turf
There are several products available to help prevent artificial turf from burning.
These coatings work by reducing the surface temperature of the fake grass and absorbing heat when it becomes too hot for extended periods of time (more than 4 hours).
This helps keep surfaces cooler so they don’t catch on fire as easily.
They also protect against UV damage and fading caused by exposure to sunlight over time, which helps keep your fake grass looking newer longer!
3. Keep the area around your artificial turf free of flammable materials
It’s important to keep a safe distance between your fake grass and any potential sources of fire, such as grills, candles, or other potentially flammable items.
It’s also important to make sure that you don’t store anything close to your artificial turf that could catch on fire and spread to the synthetic grass itself.
This includes things like garden chemicals, paint cans, or other hazardous materials.
4. Use a fire retardant spray when installing artificial turf
If you want to be extra cautious about preventing your fake grass from burning, you can apply a fire retardant spray before laying it down in its final location.
This will help prevent the synthetic grass from catching on fire by acting as an insulator between the fake grass and whatever surface it is sitting on below it.
You should also keep an extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies!
FAQs About Artificial Turf Burning
Should I Keep Artificial Grass Away From Flames?
Yes, you should. It is not recommended to use artificial grass in areas where there are open flames or fireplaces.
The reason for this is that artificial grass is made of plastic and will melt if exposed to high heat. This could cause damage to your lawn and even cause a fire.
Hot objects like BBQs, fire bowls and other areas where there is a chance of fire should be kept away from artificial grass.
If you have an artificial grass area that is close to a fire, it is recommended that you keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency.
Does Artificial Grass Contain Inflammable Chemicals?
No. Artificial grass is made from polyethylene, which is a non-flammable material, and is not treated with any chemicals.
This is why it is suitable for use in playgrounds and children’s play areas.
However, low quality artificial grass is prone to melting because there might be impurities in its chemical composition.
To prevent artificial grass from melting, it is best to choose a shade that is as close to it as possible. This way, the artificial grass will not absorb as much sunlight and it will not get too hot.
The more sunlight an artificial lawn absorbs, the hotter it will become.
If you have a very sunny area where you want to install your artificial lawn, make sure that you choose a shade that is closest to it.
It is also important to note that some synthetic grasses are designed for use in shady areas while others are designed for use in sunny areas.
In other words, if your yard has a lot of trees or there are many shadows cast by buildings, then it would be better to choose a synthetic grass with a higher shade level.
However, if your yard gets full sun all day long, then it would be better to choose a synthetic grass with lower shade level. The higher the shade level of fake turf the less visible the blades will be when viewed from above.
What If I Drop a Cigarette on Artificial Grass?
If you drop a cigarette on the artificial grass, it will not start a fire. The artificial grass is made of polyethylene and polypropylene, both of which are non-flammable and do not burn.
There is no need to worry about starting a fire with a mere cigarette in an artificial lawn. However, it can leave a burn mark if you do not clean it up right away.
Read more – Repair Artificial Grass Cigarette Burn Marks
What To Do If Artificial Grass Catches Fire
If you have a fire on your artificial lawn, you should contact the fire department immediately.
If the fire is small enough you can put it out yourself with a garden hose or a small fire extinguisher.
If it is a larger fire, you should call the fire department and let them deal with it.
Also note that artificial grass is made from polyethylene and won’t burn easily, but it will produce toxic gases as it burns.