The aim of this work was the analysis of intumescent flame retardants of different chemical nature and finding possible ways to improve their flame retardant efficiency. The study of samples of flame retardant materials was performed by the method of synchronous thermal analysis (Nietzsch TO 449 F5 Jupiter®) in an inert atmosphere of argon and in air. During the integrated thermal analysis specimens flame retardant materials of intumescent type of different chemical nature were studied: acrylic organosoluble composition, water-dispersed vinyl acetate paint, organosoluble epoxy composition, a paint based on an organic solvent. The thermograms of flame retardants, obtained in air atmosphere, different from the thermograms in argon. We can see the presence of pronounced exothermic peaks showing the flow of a process of oxidation (combustion) resulting proconsul. Temperatures of the maxima on the curves of differential thermogravimetry (DTG peaks) in an oxidizing atmosphere is displaced in area of smaller values of temperatures. The temperature of the start of expansion of the analyzed materials was 210-220 °C. The rate of loss of mass in an oxidizing atmosphere at 6-15 % higher than in inert. The highest rate of mass loss and, accordingly, the highest intensity of the process of intumescence with the release of gases and formation of foam coke is observed in the temperature range of 300-410 °C. The highest rate of weight loss is shown in water-dispersible vinyl acetate paint, indicating the release of large amounts of gases during the thermal oxidative degradation of flame retardant composition. This material has the lowest value of the coke residue, which is a measure of thermal resistance of foamcoke. Analysis of the results of thermal analysis indicates a relatively high value of the coke residue (28-42 %), especially for organo-diluted epoxy composition. Thus, thermal analysis of intumescent formulations of different chemical nature showed that the fire retardant effectiveness of the best performance are characterized by acrylic and epoxy composition, the worst - water-dispersible vinyl acetate paint. To improve fire resistance performance of the material of the water-dispersed vinyl acetate paint is expedient the introduction of additional stabilizers (e. g., silicon containing compounds) and flame retardants, as well as reinforcement of the structure using an optical fiber, basalt fiber, carbon fiber, mullite-silica wool and other heat resistant fibrous materials. For improved epoxy composition of the feasibility of introducing components that reduce the flammability of the material, for example, mineral fillers (calcium carbonate, aluminosilicates, graphite, aluminum trihydrate), components with high heat capacity. For all the analyzed flame retardant materials it is possible to recommend the introduction of additional components to reduce the onset temperature of expansion.