Frequently Asked Questions

• 01

What is the Fire Retardant that you use?

A long-term fire retardant called PHOS-CHEK will be applied to vegetation around the residence and property to protect it from wildfire. For nearly 60 years, PHOS-CHEK products have been applied from the air by the world’s largest fire management agencies. PHOS-CHEK ground-applied products have shown the same superior performance, adding precise, cost-effective placement and the ability to apply retardant in advance of fire at night and during low visibility conditions such as smoke inversions.

PHOS-CHEK long-term retardants can help prevent the start of wildfires by treating wildland fuels in place and helping to render them non-flammable.

• 02

Is Phos-Chek safe for me and my animals?

The product has been approved by the US Forest Service and is on the Long-Term Fuel Retardant Qualified Products List published by the US Forest Service. It has also gone through strict testing protocols administered by the US Forest Service, and it meets all performance, mammalian & fish toxicity, and environmental safety requirements.

• 03

What if you accidentally spray some on my flowers or plants?

The product contains common agricultural fertilizer ingredients; and as such, it may cause some fertilizer burn to plants with tender foliage. Simply rinse the product off those plants with water.

• 04

What color is the product?

It is uncolored but treated vegetation and wood will show a fine white residue which is the actual fire retardant.

• 05

If I get some of the product on me, what should I do?

The application crew will have a copy of the Safety Data Sheet and a copy is also made available on our website. Please allow 2-4 hours after application of the product to dry before walking on the treated vegetation. If you get some of the wet product on your accidentally, please rinse off with water immediately.

• 06

Will you be spraying it on my house?

The product will be professionally applied to primarily the cellulose fuel around your home. This includes grass, leaves, needles, brush, wood, bushes, and trees. The recommended application of the retardant is on vegetation (fuels) around homes and outbuildings to create a firebreak in the fuels leading up to each structure. The retardant should be used in conjunction with standard vegetation management practices and defensible space recommendations (NFPA Firewise USA Principles) as communicated by your local fire department. Other vegetative fuel sources closer to the home may also be sprayed with retardant to prevent ignition by wind-driven embers.

• 07

Is there a smell during or after application?

The product does not have a smell during or after the application.

• 08

How long does the product last?

PHOS-CHEK is effective immediately after application and will continue to remain effective until receiving excessive rainfall.

• 09

How much will you be applying?

Your Authorized Service Provider will apply the long-term fire-retardant product depending on the type, quantity and size of fuels on your property. Applications can be as little as 10 gallons for properties with good defensible space; larger properties with more fuels will require larger volumes.

• 10

Do I need to do anything to prepare my home for application?

We recommend you complete your “defensible space” prior to the application to ensure an optimum level of protection to your residence.

• 11

Can it be applied to the home, deck, or fence for extra protection?

Long-term fire retardants can only be applied to homes with exposed, unpainted wood surfaces. They are regularly applied to wood fences, decks, sheds, and barns, but some staining and discoloration of the wood surfaces is to be expected.

• 12

What if I want to learn more before deciding?

You can go to www.phos-chekhomedefense.com and read more about the products that Perimeter Solutions provides.

• 13

If you spray around my home, can I stay in the home with an approaching fire?

No, you should always follow all local and state evacuation orders in the event of a fire.

• 14

Is it okay to water my lawn/use a sprinkler system after the application of PHOS-CHEK, or does that reduce/eliminate its effectiveness?

Sprinklers and hand watering will reduce the effectiveness of the long-term fire retardant prematurely. Caution should be exercised to not directly spray the foliage-treated vegetation; instead, watering only around the base of plants and soaker hoses will ensure true long-term protection from fire.