Thermally-activated heat resistant insulating apparatus

A firefighting and fire protection apparatus comprising:

• at least one compactable support structure having at least one heat-resistant layer and at least one expandable core, at least one said heat-resistant layer is coupled to said expandable core, wherein said expansion occurs in separate locate different from location of activated mechanism and at said activated mechanism;
• said at least one expandable core including at least one thermally-activated mechanism including blowing agent(s), inert gas generating substance(s), and at least one fuel absorbent, wherein said inert gas generating substance(s) is selected from the group of gas generating substances consisting of bis(5-aminotetrazolyl)tetrazine, 5-aminotetrazole, or functionally equivalent gas generating substance having sufficient volumetric efficiency of gas generation to support propagation of a rapidly moving and sustained shock front, wherein said thermally-activated at least one blowing agent(s) and inert gas generating substance(s) is activated when heated by a fire to a pre-determined temperature;
• and
• said compactable support structure adapted to irreversibly increase in volume to a pre-determined volume in response to said release of gases;
• wherein entire said apparatus is activated by both said mechanisms simultaneously or consecutively activated by a fire to a pre-determined temperature and apparatus being activated by a decrease in density.