Composition inhibiting the expansion of fire, suppressing existing fire, and methods of manufacture and use thereof

An aqueous, thixotropic composition having shear thinning properties for fire suppression and prevention comprising:

• 0.01 to 2.0 wt % of a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent comprising a mixture of an acrylic acid copolymer cross linked with a polyalkenyl polyether and a synthetic smectite clay;
• 0.01-2.0 wt % of starch;
• and
• the balance being water;
• the composition adjusted to a pH in the range of about 5.0-8.0;
• whereby the composition clings to a surface positioned in any orientation, and forms an exterior intumescent char coating upon fire contact, while retaining an interior aqueous gel composition, thereby extinguishing a fire and preventing rekindling thereof.

An aqueous, thixotropic composition having shear thinning properties for fire suppression and prevention comprising:

• 0.01 to 2.0 wt % of a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent comprising an equal weight mixture of an acrylic acid copolymer cross linked with a polyalkenyl polyether and a synthetic smectite clay;
• 0.01-2.0 wt % of starch;
• and
• the balance being water;
• the composition adjusted to a pH in the range of about 5.0-8.0;
• whereby the composition clings to a surface positioned in any orientation, and forms an exterior intumescent char coating upon fire contact, while retaining an interior aqueous gel composition, thereby extinguishing a fire and preventing rekindling thereof.

A method of extinguishing or suppressing a fire comprising;

• providing a thixotropic, fire fighting composition having shear thinning properties comprising water, a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent, and starch, the composition adjusted to a pH in the range of about 5.0-8.0;
• and
• applying the composition to an area where extinguishment or suppression of the fire is desired,
• whereby the composition clings to a surface positioned in any orientation, and forms an exterior intumescent char coating upon fire contact, while retaining an interior aqueous gel composition, thereby extinguishing a fire and preventing rekindling thereof.