While other aspects of fire engineering are heavily covered, the properties of materials the materials used in construction have been over looked. Ironic, it is the materials, which burn and/ or weaken when exposed to fire. In fact, it is the burning characteristics of materials, which usually allow fire to begin and propagate, and the degradation of materials, which cause the most damage resulting from fires. This handbook explains the role of materials in fire, and how to best make use of materials for optimum fire protection. It presents all of the information, data and guidelines necessary to synthesize, manufacture and use materials to best advantage in the field of fire protection.