Fire-retardant coatings are applied to the surface of materials to enhance their fire resistance, slow down the spread of flames, or prevent combustion for a certain period of time. Such coatings are known as fire-retardant coatings or flame-retardant coatings.

Fire-retardant coatings are a special type of paint applied to flammable substrates to reduce the flammability of the coated surface, inhibit the rapid spread of fires, and improve the fire resistance of the coated material. Applied to flammable substrates to alter the burning characteristics of the material's surface and prevent the rapid spread of fires; or applied to building components to enhance their fire resistance, these coatings are known as fire-retardant coatings.