Today we are laying it all open and answering the burning questions (pun intended!) that we're often asked, hoping to give the world a clearer, 360-degree view of what fire retardant textiles are all about.
What Makes a Fabric Fire Retardant?
Fabric is classified as fire retardant based on the time it takes for the fabric to burn and the temperatures at which it does so. Our fabrics undergo rigorous testing in independent laboratories and are assessed on a range of criteria to demonstrate the strength of their fire retardant properties. This ensures that the end consumer knows exactly what they are investing in.
Tests are carried out in laboratories like Labotex to measure the speed at which the fabrics catch fire, using methods such as a gas burner, gas flame, smoldering cigarette, or a small stack of dry wood.
There are also worldwide furniture standards, such as Britain's BS 5852, that measure the fire retardant properties of upholstered furniture through testing.
FR-One: Inherently Fire Retardant
Some fabrics are naturally fire retardant due to the fiber's innate properties. For example, FR-One uses 100% inherently FR polyester. Polyester is easy to care for and durable, whereas fabrics like wool could shrink after washing – not ideal for furniture.
Besides durability and fire retardancy, our fabrics are also incredibly soft. You need to feel it to believe it. We combine an elegant look with a cozy feel.
While some fabrics can be treated with a fire retardant chemical that resists heat and helps to extinguish flames, FR-One fabrics start by perfecting the fibers with inherent fire-retardant characteristics (IFR). This quality is embedded in the molecular structure of the fiber and will, therefore, never diminish.
Textiles That Are Naturally Fire Retardant
The best solution is inherent FR polyester, as it starts with a naturally high base level of fire resistance. This guarantees that our fire retardant fabrics look and feel like natural ones, even before they undergo rigorous testing for high safety standards. Certain textiles naturally resist fire better than others, for example:
- Wool is generally considered the most fire retardant natural fiber; it is difficult to ignite and may extinguish smaller flames on its own.
- Silk burns slowly, is difficult to ignite, and may self-extinguish under certain conditions.
Acrylic, polyester, and nylon are also considered fire retardant fabrics, as they ignite at much higher temperatures than natural fibers.
Three Ways to Make a Fabric Fire Retardant
There are three ways to make fabric fire retardant:
The most effective way is when the fire retardant properties are inherent in the yarn itself. This is what makes FR-One special. We do not apply treatments or finishes to our fabrics, nor do we coat them. Below are other methods commonly used to make textiles fire retardant:
Coating: A fire retardant back-coating is applied to the fabric, stiffening it and making it more suitable for upholstery. However, this makes the fabric less ideal for curtains as the drape becomes less natural.
Dipping: This method involves dipping the fabric into a chemical solution, which is more suitable for fabrics made from natural fibers. The chemicals create a barrier between the fiber and the flame. When exposed to heat, the chemicals activate, triggering a reaction that extinguishes the flame, similar to a chemical fire extinguisher.
Inherently Fire Retardant?
To maintain our beautiful designs without compromising safety, FR-One spent years researching, producing, and testing, crafting fabrics from the fiber up to be fire retardant. The chemical structure of the fabric itself is not flammable. These intrinsic properties can never be removed from the molecular structure of the fabric, ensuring permanent fire retardancy.
Washability of Fire Retardant Upholstery
Maintaining fire retardant textiles may seem challenging, but it doesn't have to be. One of the most important aspects is understanding the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. Contrary to popular belief, washing does not destroy the protection of our fire retardant fabrics. All FR-One fabrics are machine washable, and their effectiveness will not fade due to washing. Unlike cotton/nylon blends, which can lose flame-resistant properties with chlorine bleach, our polyester-based fabrics remain fire retardant.
Fun Fact: FR-One fabrics use less water to wash because of their lower water absorption rate and higher dehydration characteristics, saving both energy and the planet one wash-load at a time!
Safety, Design, and Choice
Choosing fire retardant upholstery is a balance between safety and design. A solid fire retardant qualification is essential to meet safety standards, but there's no need to sacrifice design. FR-One fabrics are high quality, design-forward, and look and feel natural. Our fabrics are used globally, from Paris to New York, Dubai to Berlin.
Contact us to discuss your requirements for Heat Resistant Fabric By The Yard. Our experienced sales team can help you identify options that best suit your needs.
FR-One fabrics also pass IMO FTPC P7 and IMO FTPC P8 tests, certifying them for maritime use, which are among the hardest tests to pass.
Here to Help
If you need help choosing fire retardant textiles for your next design project, get in touch, and we'll be happy to assist you!
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Understanding Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics
Flame retardant fabrics are essential for a variety of residential and commercial applications. Fire retardant fabrics are often a necessary safety feature in venues ranging from bars and restaurants to hotel rooms. These fabrics are considered safer as they take longer to ignite than normal, combustible fabrics, enhancing your health and safety approach while protecting both customers and staff.
This guide will help you understand the different types of fabric options available, their properties, and how they work to resist fire.
Tests for Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Upholstery Fabrics
Certain laws ensure that all upholstery fabrics are relatively fire resistant. These regulations aim to prevent unnecessary fires. Tests such as the 'match test' confirm that all safety standards are met. Here's an overview of the different types of tests:
Match Test: The fabric must withstand a naked flame to ensure it meets regulations for domestic or residential settings.
Cigarette Test: Fabrics can be used without special fire retardant treatments if accompanied by a Schedule 3 Fire Barrier or interliner fabric. However, these are often unsuitable for curtains due to altered draping properties.
Crib 5: This test, performed in a lab, ensures the fabric is suitable for settings like restaurants, bars, and hotels, where fires are more likely to start. This is the most common fire retardant rating in the UK for commercial use.
Crib 7: The highest fire rating test is for high-risk applications where it would be difficult to evacuate everyone in case of fire, such as in hospitals and prisons.
Differences Between Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics
Fire retardant fabrics: These fabrics are made to reduce the fire hazard, not to stop it actively. They are generally less effective than flame retardant fabrics.
Flame retardant fabrics: These fabrics are often woven from flame-resistant yarns and may include special chemical coatings that enable them to self-extinguish when exposed to flames.
Flame retardant textiles come in two types, which we discuss below:
Types of Flame Retardant Fabric
There are two types of fire retardant fabric today:
Non-durable flame retardant finishing fabric and inherently flame retardant fabric. Here's a look at their properties and suitability:
Non-Durable Flame Retardant Finishing Fabric
These fabrics, made from cotton or polyester, are treated with flame retardant substances after manufacturing. They are combustible without these treatments.
Coating: This technique covers the textile with flame retardant chemicals, leading to a more structured fabric less suitable for curtains.
Dipping: Fabrics are dipped into a chemical solution, allowing them to absorb the flame retardant chemicals. This technique maintains a natural draping look, making it suitable for curtains.
These fabrics do not withstand frequent washing and lose their flame retardant properties over time.
Permanent Flame Retardant Fabric
Permanent flame retardant fabrics can be washed without losing effectiveness. This is because they are inherently flame retardant due to the yarns used from the beginning. These fabrics are ideal for environments requiring frequent washing, like hospitals or hotels.
Why Do I Need Fire Retardant Curtains and Upholstery?
Businesses have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their customers. Bars and restaurants frequently use fire retardant curtains and upholstery due to the higher risk of fires. Fire from kitchens can spread to other areas, and candles or other fire-based decorations can pose risks.
Fire retardant fabrics protect furnishings from fire damage, whether from a kitchen fire or a candle accident. Such fabrics reduce the potential for fires to spread and minimize damage to curtains and upholstery.
Flame Retardant Upholstery and Curtain Fabrics by Edmund Bell
Edmund Bell, a leading UK manufacturer, offers a variety of fire and flame retardant fabrics for commercial purposes. From the luxurious metallic sheen of Lustre fabric to the charming country feel of Eclipse fabric, their range ensures both quality and safety.
The Enduracare coating technology ensures fabrics are flame retardant and stain resistant, maintaining quality for years to come.
For more details, visit our website to learn about interlock fabric properties.
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