A long-term fire retarding biochemical
liquid composition including: a dispersing agent realized in the form of a major amount of water, for dispersing
alkali metal ions dissolved in the water; a major amount of a first fire retarding agent realized in the form of a primary
alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric
saturated carboxylic acid, for example,
tripotassium citrate, for providing
metal potassium ions dispersed in the water when the at least one
alkali metal salt is dissolved in the water to form a mixed retardant solution; a minor amount of a second fire retarding agent realized in the form of a secondary alkali
metal salt of a nonpolymeric
saturated carboxylic acid, for example,
potassium,
sodium,
calcium and / or
magnesium benzoate, for providing benzoate ions dispersed in the water when the secondary alkali
metal salt is dissolved in the mixed retardant solution, for functioning as a secondary
fire retardant agent and also inhibiting
surface corrosion reactions involving metals contacting the mixed retardant solution, including specific metals, namely aluminum, steel, bright steel,
brass, and
magnesium; a minor amount of
thickening agent in the form of a biomolecular
polymer consisting essentially of polysaccharides; a minor amount of a dispersing agent for dispersing benzoate ions present in the water when the at least one alkali metal salt is dissolved in the mixed retardant solution, so as to promote the formation of a
corrosion inhibiting
coating on metals contacting the mixed retardant solution and inhibiting
surface corrosion reactions involving the metals; and a minor amount of coloring agent in the form of fugitive color dye
powder, or non-fugitive
pigment powder, for imparting a visible color characteristics when the fire retarding biochemical
liquid composition is being applied to a surface to be protected against fire, to form a thin
fire retardant coating deposited on treated surfaces, comprising a mixture of metal
alkali salt crystals within the polysaccharides of the biomolecular
polymer. Wet and dry concentration formulations of the fire retarding biochemical
liquid composition are disclosed for use with both aerial and ground
delivery methods and apparatus.