What Can Withstand a Fire? Materials That Survive the Heat

Fire-resistant vs. fireproof — is there a real difference?

Yes, and it matters more than people think. Fire-resistant means a material can slow down or resist burning for a period of time — maybe 30 minutes, maybe 3 hours — depending on its rating.
Fireproof, on the other hand, implies something that cannot burn at all, which is… well, almost nothing on Earth qualifies as truly fireproof. Even steel melts if the fire’s hot enough.

So, when asking “What can withstand a fire?” — we're mostly talking about fire-resistant stuff.

Common materials that can withstand fire

Concrete – the heavyweight fire survivor

Concrete doesn’t burn. Period. It’s made from sand, cement, water, and aggregates — none of which are combustible.
That said, under extreme heat (think 1,100°C or more), concrete can crack or spall, but it won’t feed the fire.

In fact, reinforced concrete buildings often remain standing after intense fires — not pretty, but standing.

Brick and stone

Brick is another excellent fire-resistant material. Fired at super high temps during manufacturing, bricks are already heat-hardened, so flames don’t really scare them.

Same goes for natural stone like granite or slate. These materials can survive fires without collapsing — though extreme heat may cause cosmetic damage or cracking.

Gypsum board (aka drywall) — surprisingly protective

Weird one, right? But yes — gypsum contains water molecules, and when exposed to fire, it releases steam that slows down the spread of heat. That’s why drywall is rated for fire resistance (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour walls, etc.).

But remember: it’s a delay, not an invincibility cloak. Eventually, even drywall gives in.

Fire-rated glass

Regular glass? Nope, forget it. It shatters quick. But fire-rated glass — like wired glass or ceramic glass — can withstand high temperatures for up to 2 hours. Used in fire doors, commercial buildings, and even some homes.

Honestly, it’s kinda cool — you can see through it while it’s literally holding back a blaze.

Metals that handle heat well

Steel — strong but vulnerable at high heat

Steel doesn’t burn, but it loses strength rapidly when temperatures climb. Around 600°C (1,112°F), steel starts to soften. That's why buildings need fireproofing insulation around steel beams.

Fun fact: Skyscrapers use sprayed fireproofing materials on steel because bare steel can warp in just minutes during a serious fire.

Titanium and tungsten — fancy but fire-resistant

Titanium and tungsten are insanely strong and heat-tolerant.

• Titanium has a melting point over 1,600°C

• Tungsten? A ridiculous 3,422°C

They’re used in aerospace, not your kitchen... but if you're planning to survive a fire on Mars, these are your guys.

Surprising things that don’t survive

You might think something feels “sturdy” — but nope.

• Plastic melts, smokes, and adds toxic fumes

• Aluminum looks tough, but melts at just 660°C

• Glass (the regular type) shatters from thermal stress

• Wood? Burns, obviously — though treated wood can resist for a while

And don’t even start on foam furniture. That stuff goes up like a torch.

What about fire-resistant fabrics and products?

Special materials save lives

Firefighters don’t wear cotton. They wear gear made from Kevlar, Nomex, or PBI blends — materials designed to not ignite or melt.

Even home items can be fire-resistant:

• Fire blankets

• Flame-retardant curtains

• Carpets with special coatings

But again, resistant ≠ immune. These just buy you time. And in a fire, seconds matter.

Final thoughts (okay, not too dramatic, but still real)

So — what can withstand a fire? A lot of materials can resist it for a while, and a few can hold out impressively. But nothing is indestructible in a full blaze.

If you're building, renovating, or just curious (or maybe a bit paranoid?), remember:

• Concrete, brick, and fire-rated materials are your friends

• Metal helps — but needs support

• Fabrics and plastics? Not so much

And yeah, real fire safety is about combining good materials, smart design, and preparation. Not just hoping your walls are made of magic rock.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.