Flame Retardant Fabrics
Why are flame retardant fabrics so important?
When fabrics are used in public places such as theatres, cinemas, events and arenas they are required to comply with local flame retardant standards to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
When choosing fabric for drapes, curtain and backdrops, it is important to consider safety and financial issues such as:
- What is the fabric’s primary use and where will it be used
- What sort wear and tear can be expected
- How long you will be using it for
- What budget do you have for its care and maintenance
- What standards and codes you have to adhere to.
Some information is provided below about what various flame retardancy standards and what flammability codes indicate. However, if you need any advice about what fabric choices to make, please call us on 03 327 0975 during normal working hours or contact us online.
New Zealand’s Flammability Codes
Governmental building codes all have clauses pertaining to the flame retardant properties of flexible fabrics and materials when used in areas of assembly or egress. Fabric flammability is an important issue, especially for stage drapery and curtains that are used in public spaces such as theatres, cinemas, event venues, halls and sports centres, etc.
View the New Zealand Government’s Building Code Compliance Documents online.
The different types of flame retardancy in fabrics are:
- NDFR – Non Durably Flame Retardant fabric is chemically treated with a water solution. If it becomes wet in any way it should be retreated.
- DFR – Durably Flame Retardant fabric is chemically treated to withstand being cleaned a number of times
- IFR – Inherently Flame Retardant fabric is woven from fibres with a high flame retardancy
- FR – Flame Retardant fabric is chemically treated to an individual specification
- Not FR – This fabric does have any flame retardant treatment or has not been tested
Flame Retardant Standards
- AS 1530 Part 2 – This is the Australian & NZ Standard for flame-retardant fabrics for use in curtains and drapes.
- M1: French – These fabrics have been tested to conform to French Fire Regulations.
- B1: (DIN4102) German – These fabrics have been tested to conform to German Fire Regulations.
- BS 5867 Part 2 B – This is the British Standard for flame-retardant fabrics for use in curtains and drapes.
- NFPA 701 – This is the U.S Standard for flame-retardant fabrics for use in curtains and drapes.
John Herber Ltd can offer fabrics in all of the above flame retardancy catergories and flame retardant standards