A condition in which a structure, equipment, wiring, controls, or piping is capable of functioning under the most severe conditions of fire likely to occur at its location. A fire retardant is a substance or treatment that reduces the combustibility of a material. It can be used in personal protective equipment or coated onto process equipment and structures to protect them against severe heat for a limited period of time. Fire prevention involves the measures that are needed to prevent an outbreak of fire. Fire protection involves the engineering design features and systems that are required to reduce the damaging and harmful effects of a fire.