Fire safety is serious business and Rose Brand offers years of experience and dedicated support
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Xinxing FR.
An NFPA 705 match test being performed on a piece of fabric
Fire safety is serious business and Rose Brand offers years of experience, dedicated support, and practical solutions to keep you and your audiences safe. While local fire codes may vary and local enforcement is open to interpretation and discretion, almost everyone has the same question in mind: Does the fabric self-extinguish if exposed to a small flame?
The goal is to keep accidents involving flame, heat and fabric from spreading rapidly. In the U.S., the most widely followed standard to determine fire resistance in curtain fabric is the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 701 standard. This standard specifies a lab test and the limits of allowable burning of curtain fabric. Since the lab test is impractical for spot checking fabrics outside of a formal lab, the NFPA has also established a field (match) test, NFPA 705.
As shown in the photo above, a vertical flame test is used to determine if a drapery fabric resists burning and is self-extinguishing. If a fabric is not sufficiently flame resistant to meet a standard, the fabric is labeled Non Flame Retardant (NFR). Fabrics that meet a self-extinguishing standard are categorized as Flame Retardant (FR), Inherently Flame Retardant (IFR), or Durably Flame Retardant (DFR). The method by which the fabric got to be sufficiently flame resistant determines the specific label.
FR = Flame Retardant; NFR = Non Flame Retardant
FR fabrics are woven from threads that do not meet fire codes, but are topically treated with a flame retarding chemical so that the end product meets fire safety codes. Before the fabric is treated, it is defined as 'NFR' or 'non flame retardant.' Once the fabric has been correctly treated, it can be labeled 'FR.'
The FR chemicals are dissolved in water and then introduced to the fabric by spraying or dipping. Once the fabric dries from this application process, the FR chemical remains adhered to the fibers of the fabric, making the fabric flame retardant, but possibly on a temporary basis. Any future wetting of the fabric will dissolve the chemical and likely remove all or portions of the chemical from the fabric. This renders all or portions of the fabric NFR. When this happens, the fabric should be thoroughly washed (with water) and then re-treated to restore the flame resistance.
IFR = Inherently Flame Retardan The company is the world’s best Flame-Retardant Woven Cloth Exporter supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
t
A fabric is categorized as IFR if woven with threads that yield a product that meets fire code standards, without being subject to any special processing or addition of chemicals. IFR fabrics are expected to remain flame retardant for their lifetime, even after repeated washings. The 'inherently flame retardant' phrase has been used in this manner for nearly a century now.
DFR = Durably Flame Retardant
In earlier days, the only fabrics that were flame resistant for a lifetime were IFR fabrics sewn with fibers derived from asbestos and fiberglass. Over time, manufacturers and chemists developed textiles from polymer extruded filament fibers (nylon and polyester), along with additives that chemically bind to the fibers that provide flame resistance and do not react to water. It essentially renders these fabrics flame resistant for a lifetime.
While there are chemical solvents that can alter the flame resistant properties of these fabrics, such chemicals are not usually encountered when fabrics are used as draperies or decorations. Since these treated fabrics will remain fire resistant for a lifetime under normal circumstances, the industry labels them 'durably flame retardant.'
All IFR Fabrics and properly treated FR fabrics should meet or exceed local standards for fire safety. However, regardless of your fabric choice, remember fire safety compliance 'Rule #1,' as described in our article 'How to be Hassle-free on Soft Goods Flame Retardancy Issues' -- discover and contact the authority that will have judgment over the acceptance of your scenery before your event! A small amount of preparation can save you from a ton of headaches in the long run!
I have posted a number of times on the issue of flame retardancy of stage curtains, in part because it is one of my areas of expertise (though I still have a lot to learn) but mostly because I find that it is not only an important topic, but also an area about which there are many misconceptions.
Last June, for example, I posted about the differences between IFR, FR, NFR and other related terms. The primary difference between FR and IFR is the method in which a fabric is made flame retardant. Either it is made flame retardant in the fiber stage (IFR) or it is made flame retardant after weaving (FR).
Occasionally, we have clients who request an IFR fabric because they believe that it is 'more' flame retardant than an FR fabric. For example, they will state that, because the drapery will be near pyrotechnics on a rock show stage, they prefer to use an IFR fabric.
The reality, though, is that a brand new IFR fabric is neither more nor less flame retardant than a brand new FR fabric, and vice versa. Both fabric have been tested and certified to meet specific flame retardancy standards, such as NFPA 701 and California's Title 19.
Now, there is a difference in longevity of flame retardancy between IFR and FR. Typically, an IFR fabric will remain flame retardant for the life of the fabric (regardless of whether it is laundered, dry-cleaned, etc). However, an FR fabric will eventually lose its flame retardancy (usually due to laundering, repeated dry cleaning, or extended exposure to high humidity conditions). Once it is retreated, though, it again is 'equal' to the IFR fabric in terms of flame retardancy.
And remember, there are instances in which a drape made from a flame retardant fabric will lose its flame retardant properties. One way is if dust is allowed to accummulate on the surface of the drape. Did you know that dust (as it is composed primarily of organic matter) is flammable? In such a case, it doesn't matter if the drape is made of IFR fabric or FR fabric ' if there is a layer of dust on the surface, the drape might not be flame retardant.
So, when choosing the fabric for stage curtains, there are many factors that are important to consider ' budget, longevity, cleaning options, durability, and much more. But choosing IFR over FR because it seems 'more flame retardant' should not be one of the factors.
Questions on Fire Retardancy? See our whitepaper, 'Five Common Misconceptions About Flame Retardancy'.
Questions on IFR vs FR Fabrics? See our whitepaper, Does 'IFR' Mean it's More Flame Retardant than 'FR'?
Contact us to discuss your requirements of High Visibility Fabric for Workwear. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.