Today we are laying it all open and getting to the meat of the matter. We're answering the burning questions (see what we did there!) that we're often asked, hoping to give the world a clearer, 360 view of what fire retardant textiles are all about.
Today we are laying it all open and getting to the meat of the matter. We're answering the burning questions (see what we did there!) that we're often asked, hoping to give the world a clearer, 360 view of what fire retardant textiles are all about.
What makes a fabric fire retardant?
Fabric is classified as fire retardant fabric based on, unsurprisingly, the time it takes for the fabric to burn and at what temperatures it does so. Our fabrics undergo rigorous testing in independent laboratories. The fabric is then assessed on a range of criteria to show the strength of the fire retardant properties, so that the end consumer can know exactly what they're investing in.
Tests are carried out in laboratories like Labotex for the speed at which the fabrics catch fire, using methods such as a gas burner or gas flame, smoldering cigarette, a small stack of dry wood
There are also worldwide furniture standards that measure the fire retardant properties of upholstered furniture through testing such as Britain's BS 5852. Check out our post 3 things you need to know about upholstery fabric testing for a read jam-packed with information.
FR-One: inherently fire retardant
Fabric may be naturally fire retardant due to the fiber's innate properties: FR-One uses 100% Inherently FR Polyester for this same reason. Polyester is also easy care and durable, whereas fabrics such as wool could shrink after washing - which isn’t something you want happening on your furniture!
Besides durability and fire retardancy, our fabrics are just, well, amazingly soft. No really. You need to feel it to believe it. We’re all about that luxurious feel here, combining an easy elegance with a coziness you can feel.
Check out our dedication to the art of hygge here.
While some fabrics can also be treated with a fire retardant chemical that resists heat and helps to extinguishes flames, this is not the way FR-One safeguards our fabrics. FR-One Fire Retardant fabrics begin by perfecting the fibers with Inherent Fire-Retardant characteristics (IFR), a quality that 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, because it starts us off with a naturally high base level of fire resistance - and then we add the FR-One magic. This guarantees that our fire retardant fabrics look and feel just like natural ones, and that's even before they undergo rigorous testing for high safety standards!
Certain textiles do naturally resist fire better than others. For example:
- Wool is generally considered the most fire retardant natural fiber, as it is difficult to ignite and may extinguish smaller flames on its own.
- Silk also burns slowly, is difficult to ignite and may self-extinguish under certain circumstances.
Acrylic, polyester and nylon are also all considered fire retardant fabrics, as they catch fire at a much higher temperature than natural fibers.
3 ways you can make a fabric fire retardant
There are three different ways a fabric can be made fire retardant, so we'll start off with the best and most efficient way: it's when the FR properties are inherent in the yarn itself.
This is what makes FR-One special. We do not apply treatments or finishes to fabrics, nor do we coat our fabrics. There are ways though to make your textiles fire retardant using chemical treatments and finishes, and we'll have a quick look at those below.
There are two types of treatment commonly used in fire retardant upholstery:
Coating: With the coating technique, a fire retardant back-coating is applied to the fabric in question. This stiffens the fabric, making it better for upholstery use. The coating technique is considered less suitable as curtain fabric though, as the drape of the material end up less natural than with other fabric treatments.
Dipping: Another common fire-treatment method is known as chemical dipping, which is more often used for fabrics made from natural fibers (or that have a high percentage of natural fibers). As the technique suggests, the fabric is dipped into a chemical solution, which absorbs into the fibers, creating a barrier between the fiber and the flame.
Should the fabric catch fire, the chemicals applied during the fabric treatment process are activated by the heat, triggering a chemical reaction which extinguishes the flame - similar to the way chemical fire-extinguishers work.
Inherently fire retardant?
Not wanting our beautiful designs to have anything to do with fire extinguishers, however, we went down a different path. We spent years researching and producing and testing, crafting our fabrics from the fiber up to be fire retardant as default. The actual chemical structure of the fabric itself is not flammable: that's what we mean when we say inherently fire retardant.
These intrinsic properties can never be removed from the molecular structure of the fabric. What you buy from FR-One will remain fire retardant...permanently.
Just how washable is your fire retardant upholstery anyway?
What about caring for this indestructibly fire retardant textile though? Surely that's going to be difficult? Well, one of the most important factors when investing in fire retardant upholstery is understanding the manufacturer cleaning recommendations: we’re going to tell you ours.
You've probably read that washing may destroy your fire retardant fabric's protection, but rest assured: with our fabrics this is not the case. All FR-One fabrics are machine washable and the effectiveness of the fabric won't fade due to washing.
In the case of cotton/nylon blends for example, washing the fabric with chlorine bleach will remove their flame-resistant properties - that's another reason we went for 100% polyester.
Fun fact: FR-One fabrics use less water to wash, thanks to their lower water absorption rate and higher dehydration characteristics. Save energy and the planet, one fabric wash-load at a time!
Safety, design and choices
Choosing the right fire retardant upholstery is a delicate balance between safety and design.
Without a solid fire retardant qualification, you may not meet safety standards, but a poorly-designed fabric might ask you to sacrifice design. Why choose between form and function when you can have both? See how our Lithology range epitomizes this vision
FR-One fabrics are high quality, design-forward and both natural looking and feeling. On top of all this, we meet fire safety standards the world over, ensuring that our fabrics are used globally, from Paris to New York, Dubai to Berlin.
FR-One fabrics are found even at sea because we pass IMO FTPC P7 and IMO FTPC P8, certifying us for Maritime use (PS: these are 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 help you out!
Sign up for our newsletter to get up-to-the-minute interior design trends and peeks behind the scenes of FR-One!
Understanding Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics
Flame retardant fabrics are essential to use for a number of residential and commercial applications. Fire retardant fabrics are often a necessary safety feature to incorporate within any venue, from bars and restaurants to hotel rooms. Flame retardant fabric is considered safer as it takes a longer time to burn than normal, combustible fabrics. The longer the flame takes to burn through the fabric, the higher the flame retardant properties of the textile. Flame retardant fabric works to protect both your customers and staff, while enhancing your health and safety approach.
In this guide to understanding flame retardant and fire retardant fabrics, we’ll discuss the different types of fabric options available. We’ll discuss their individual properties, and how they work to resist fire.
Tests for Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Upholstery Fabrics
There are certain laws in place that ensure all upholstery fabrics are relatively fire resistant. These regulations are there to prevent unnecessary fires, and tests such as the ‘match test’ are undertaken in order to confirm that all regulations are met. The following is an overview of the types of tests for certain flame retardant fabrics.
– Match Test – This is where the fabric must be able to withstand a naked flame. The match test is carried out to ensure fabrics meet the regulations for use in domestic or residential settings, such as in the home.
– Cigarette Test – This is where fabrics can be used without special fire retardant treatments. Cigarette tested fabric only meets domestic guidelines if it is accompanied with a Schedule 3 Fire Barrier or interliner fabric. Upholstery fabrics accompanied with thicker fire barrier textiles are often not suitable for use as curtains, as the draping properties of the fabric will be altered. Some flame resistant interlinings, however, are specifically manufactured to improve the look and feel of draped curtains.
– Crib 5 – a Crib 5 test for flame retardant fabrics is done within a lab. This ensures the fabric is suitable for settings where fires are more likely to start due to the nature of the venue, such as in restaurants, bars and hotels. This is the most common fire retardant rating found when shopping with commercial upholstery and curtain fabric suppliers in the UK.
– Crib 7 – The highest of the fire rating tests, the Crib 7 test is for high risk applications where fires are much more likely to occur. In particular, the crib 7 test is used for fabrics in places where it would be difficult to evacuate everyone if a fire was to break out. Hospitals and prisons may choose to incorporate crib 7 tested fabrics.
What is the Difference Between Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics?
– Fire retardant fabrics are manufactured to be more resistant to fire and flames. Fire retardant fabrics aim to reduce the fire hazard, rather than actively stop it from spreading. Fire retardant fabrics are not usually as effective as flame retardant fabrics, as fires can still burn on without the special chemical additions often found in flame retardant fabrics.
– Flame retardant fabric is often made to actively stop fire from spreading further. These are often woven from flame resistant yarns from the beginning. This is can be done by adding special chemical coatings that enable the textile to ‘self-extinguish’ when exposed to a flame. The flame ignites a reaction within the chemical products that actually leads to extinguishing the flame itself.
Flame retardant textiles are made in two ways, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.
What are the 2 Types of Flame Retardant Fabric?
There are two types of fire retardant fabric used today. Non durable flame retardant finishing fabric, and permanent, or inherently flame retardant fabricinherently flame retardant fabric are the two types of fire resistant fabrics. Here, we’ll discuss the properties between the two, and which fabric may be more suitable for your project.
Non-Durable Flame Retardant Finishing Fabric
Non durable fire retardant fabrics are made from cotton or polyester. These are actually combustible fabrics, that are simply treated with flame retardant substances after manufacturing.
– Coating: Coating techniques can be used to carefully cover the textile with the flame retardant chemicals. When fabric has been made using coating technique for non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics, the extra layer leads to a more structured fabric. This means coated non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics are less appropriate for curtains, as we want curtains to fall into a soft drape.
– Dipping: The dipping technique is where fabrics (often made from more natural fibers) are dipped into the chemical solution. This allows the fabric to absorb the flame retardant chemicals, which then work to put out any flames if a fire does begin. The dipping technique is great for non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics for use as curtains, as the process does not stiffen the fabric. This means you can achieve a natural draping look, while benefitting from flame resistant curtains.
These types of fabrics are labelled as ‘non durable’ flame retardant fabrics, as they do not withstand plenty of washing. After the non durable fire retardant fabrics are washed a number of times, they begin to lose their flame retardant properties.
Permanent Flame Retardant Fabric
In comparison with non durable flame retardant fabric and fire retardant finishing fabric, permanent flame retardant fabric can be washed without losing its effectiveness. This is because the fabric itself is inherently flame retardant, due to the yarns used when weaving the fabric together from the very beginning. Permanent flame resistant fabric is therefore used in venues where fabric requires frequent washing, such as in hospitals or hotels.
Why do I Need Fire Retardant Curtains and Fire Retardant Upholstery?
Businesses have a high level of responsibility when it comes to ensuring their customers are safe from potential harm. If you’re reading this because you’re looking for upholstery and curtain fabrics for a commercial venture, you need to consider the health and safety implications with regards to taking care of your customers and visitors.
Bars and restaurants frequently use fire retardant curtains and upholstery. This is because they are venues with a higher chance of fires breaking out. Any fire from restaurant kitchens has the potential to grow and spread to other areas of the venue, such as the dining area. Alongside this, restaurants and bars often use candles and other fire-based decorations in order to uplift the ambience of the room.
Fire retardant fabrics used for curtains and upholstery can protect your furnishings from potential fire damage. Whether it’s a commercial kitchen fire that spreads throughout the seating area, or a customer accidentally knocks over a small candle; flame retardant fabrics are extremely useful in both situations. Without fire retardant fabrics, the potential for fire to spread as it burns through fabric is higher. You’ll also see more damage on your curtains and upholstery, due to small burns caused by candle lit accidents.
Flame Retardant Upholstery and Curtain Fabrics by Edmund Bell
One of the UK’s leading upholstery and curtain textiles manufacturers, Edmund Bell have spent years refining and perfecting their approach to flame retardant fabrics. From the luxurious Lustre fabric, with its metallic sheen and crushed velvet appearance, to the beautifully textured Eclipse fabric with its charming country feel, Edmund Bell offer a variety of fire and flame retardant fabrics for all commercial purposes.
Their Enduracare coating technology ensures fabrics are both flame retardant and stain resistant, maintaining a quality standard within your surroundings for years to come.
What makes a fabric fire retardant?
Fabric is classified as fire retardant fabric based on, unsurprisingly, the time it takes for the fabric to burn and at what temperatures it does so. Our fabrics undergo rigorous testing in independent laboratories. The fabric is then assessed on a range of criteria to show the strength of the fire retardant properties, so that the end consumer can know exactly what they're investing in.
Tests are carried out in laboratories like Labotex for the speed at which the fabrics catch fire, using methods such as a gas burner or gas flame, smoldering cigarette, a small stack of dry wood
There are also worldwide furniture standards that measure the fire retardant properties of upholstered furniture through testing such as Britain's BS 5852. Check out our post 3 things you need to know about upholstery fabric testing for a read jam-packed with information.
FR-One: inherently fire retardant
Fabric may be naturally fire retardant due to the fiber's innate properties: FR-One uses 100% Inherently FR Polyester for this same reason. Polyester is also easy care and durable, whereas fabrics such as wool could shrink after washing - which isn’t something you want happening on your furniture!
Besides durability and fire retardancy, our fabrics are just, well, amazingly soft. No really. You need to feel it to believe it. We’re all about that luxurious feel here, combining an easy elegance with a coziness you can feel.
Check out our dedication to the art of hygge here.
While some fabrics can also be treated with a fire retardant chemical that resists heat and helps to extinguishes flames, this is not the way FR-One safeguards our fabrics. FR-One Fire Retardant fabrics begin by perfecting the fibers with Inherent Fire-Retardant characteristics (IFR), a quality that 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, because it starts us off with a naturally high base level of fire resistance - and then we add the FR-One magic. This guarantees that our fire retardant fabrics look and feel just like natural ones, and that's even before they undergo rigorous testing for high safety standards!
Certain textiles do naturally resist fire better than others. For example:
- Wool is generally considered the most fire retardant natural fiber, as it is difficult to ignite and may extinguish smaller flames on its own.
- Silk also burns slowly, is difficult to ignite and may self-extinguish under certain circumstances.
Acrylic, polyester and nylon are also all considered fire retardant fabrics, as they catch fire at a much higher temperature than natural fibers.
3 ways you can make a fabric fire retardant
There are three different ways a fabric can be made fire retardant, so we'll start off with the best and most efficient way: it's when the FR properties are inherent in the yarn itself.
This is what makes FR-One special. We do not apply treatments or finishes to fabrics, nor do we coat our fabrics. There are ways though to make your textiles fire retardant using chemical treatments and finishes, and we'll have a quick look at those below.
There are two types of treatment commonly used in fire retardant upholstery:
Coating: With the coating technique, a fire retardant back-coating is applied to the fabric in question. This stiffens the fabric, making it better for upholstery use. The coating technique is considered less suitable as curtain fabric though, as the drape of the material end up less natural than with other fabric treatments.
Dipping: Another common fire-treatment method is known as chemical dipping, which is more often used for fabrics made from natural fibers (or that have a high percentage of natural fibers). As the technique suggests, the fabric is dipped into a chemical solution, which absorbs into the fibers, creating a barrier between the fiber and the flame.
Should the fabric catch fire, the chemicals applied during the fabric treatment process are activated by the heat, triggering a chemical reaction which extinguishes the flame - similar to the way chemical fire-extinguishers work.
Inherently fire retardant?
Not wanting our beautiful designs to have anything to do with fire extinguishers, however, we went down a different path. We spent years researching and producing and testing, crafting our fabrics from the fiber up to be fire retardant as default. The actual chemical structure of the fabric itself is not flammable: that's what we mean when we say inherently fire retardant.
These intrinsic properties can never be removed from the molecular structure of the fabric. What you buy from FR-One will remain fire retardant...permanently.
Just how washable is your fire retardant upholstery anyway?
What about caring for this indestructibly fire retardant textile though? Surely that's going to be difficult? Well, one of the most important factors when investing in fire retardant upholstery is understanding the manufacturer cleaning recommendations: we’re going to tell you ours.
You've probably read that washing may destroy your fire retardant fabric's protection, but rest assured: with our fabrics this is not the case. All FR-One fabrics are machine washable and the effectiveness of the fabric won't fade due to washing.
In the case of cotton/nylon blends for example, washing the fabric with chlorine bleach will remove their flame-resistant properties - that's another reason we went for 100% polyester.
Fun fact: FR-One fabrics use less water to wash, thanks to their lower water absorption rate and higher dehydration characteristics. Save energy and the planet, one fabric wash-load at a time!
Safety, design and choices
Choosing the right fire retardant upholstery is a delicate balance between safety and design.
Without a solid fire retardant qualification, you may not meet safety standards, but a poorly-designed fabric might ask you to sacrifice design. Why choose between form and function when you can have both? See how our Lithology range epitomizes this vision
FR-One fabrics are high quality, design-forward and both natural looking and feeling. On top of all this, we meet fire safety standards the world over, ensuring that our fabrics are used globally, from Paris to New York, Dubai to Berlin.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Heat Resistant Fabric By The Yard. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
FR-One fabrics are found even at sea because we pass IMO FTPC P7 and IMO FTPC P8, certifying us for Maritime use (PS: these are 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 help you out!
Sign up for our newsletter to get up-to-the-minute interior design trends and peeks behind the scenes of FR-One!
Understanding Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics
Understanding Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics
Flame retardant fabrics are essential to use for a number of residential and commercial applications. Fire retardant fabrics are often a necessary safety feature to incorporate within any venue, from bars and restaurants to hotel rooms. Flame retardant fabric is considered safer as it takes a longer time to burn than normal, combustible fabrics. The longer the flame takes to burn through the fabric, the higher the flame retardant properties of the textile. Flame retardant fabric works to protect both your customers and staff, while enhancing your health and safety approach.
In this guide to understanding flame retardant and fire retardant fabrics, we’ll discuss the different types of fabric options available. We’ll discuss their individual properties, and how they work to resist fire.
Tests for Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Upholstery Fabrics
There are certain laws in place that ensure all upholstery fabrics are relatively fire resistant. These regulations are there to prevent unnecessary fires, and tests such as the ‘match test’ are undertaken in order to confirm that all regulations are met. The following is an overview of the types of tests for certain flame retardant fabrics.
– Match Test – This is where the fabric must be able to withstand a naked flame. The match test is carried out to ensure fabrics meet the regulations for use in domestic or residential settings, such as in the home.
– Cigarette Test – This is where fabrics can be used without special fire retardant treatments. Cigarette tested fabric only meets domestic guidelines if it is accompanied with a Schedule 3 Fire Barrier or interliner fabric. Upholstery fabrics accompanied with thicker fire barrier textiles are often not suitable for use as curtains, as the draping properties of the fabric will be altered. Some flame resistant interlinings, however, are specifically manufactured to improve the look and feel of draped curtains.
– Crib 5 – a Crib 5 test for flame retardant fabrics is done within a lab. This ensures the fabric is suitable for settings where fires are more likely to start due to the nature of the venue, such as in restaurants, bars and hotels. This is the most common fire retardant rating found when shopping with commercial upholstery and curtain fabric suppliers in the UK.
– Crib 7 – The highest of the fire rating tests, the Crib 7 test is for high risk applications where fires are much more likely to occur. In particular, the crib 7 test is used for fabrics in places where it would be difficult to evacuate everyone if a fire was to break out. Hospitals and prisons may choose to incorporate crib 7 tested fabrics.
What is the Difference Between Flame Retardant and Fire Retardant Fabrics?
– Fire retardant fabrics are manufactured to be more resistant to fire and flames. Fire retardant fabrics aim to reduce the fire hazard, rather than actively stop it from spreading. Fire retardant fabrics are not usually as effective as flame retardant fabrics, as fires can still burn on without the special chemical additions often found in flame retardant fabrics.
– Flame retardant fabric is often made to actively stop fire from spreading further. These are often woven from flame resistant yarns from the beginning. This is can be done by adding special chemical coatings that enable the textile to ‘self-extinguish’ when exposed to a flame. The flame ignites a reaction within the chemical products that actually leads to extinguishing the flame itself.
Flame retardant textiles are made in two ways, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.
What are the 2 Types of Flame Retardant Fabric?
There are two types of fire retardant fabric used today. Non durable flame retardant finishing fabric, and permanent, or inherently flame retardant fabric are the two types of fire resistant fabrics. Here, we’ll discuss the properties between the two, and which fabric may be more suitable for your project.
Non-Durable Flame Retardant Finishing Fabric
Non durable fire retardant fabrics are made from cotton or polyester. These are actually combustible fabrics, that are simply treated with flame retardant substances after manufacturing.
– Coating: Coating techniques can be used to carefully cover the textile with the flame retardant chemicals. When fabric has been made using coating technique for non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics, the extra layer leads to a more structured fabric. This means coated non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics are less appropriate for curtains, as we want curtains to fall into a soft drape.
– Dipping: The dipping technique is where fabrics (often made from more natural fibers) are dipped into the chemical solution. This allows the fabric to absorb the flame retardant chemicals, which then work to put out any flames if a fire does begin. The dipping technique is great for non durable flame retardant finishing fabrics for use as curtains, as the process does not stiffen the fabric. This means you can achieve a natural draping look, while benefitting from flame resistant curtains.
These types of fabrics are labelled as ‘non durable’ flame retardant fabrics, as they do not withstand plenty of washing. After the non durable fire retardant fabrics are washed a number of times, they begin to lose their flame retardant properties.
Permanent Flame Retardant Fabric
In comparison with non durable flame retardant fabric and fire retardant finishing fabric, permanent flame retardant fabric can be washed without losing its effectiveness. This is because the fabric itself is inherently flame retardant, due to the yarns used when weaving the fabric together from the very beginning. Permanent flame resistant fabric is therefore used in venues where fabric requires frequent washing, such as in hospitals or hotels.
Why do I Need Fire Retardant Curtains and Fire Retardant Upholstery?
Businesses have a high level of responsibility when it comes to ensuring their customers are safe from potential harm. If you’re reading this because you’re looking for upholstery and curtain fabrics for a commercial venture, you need to consider the health and safety implications with regards to taking care of your customers and visitors.
Bars and restaurants frequently use fire retardant curtains and upholstery. This is because they are venues with a higher chance of fires breaking out. Any fire from restaurant kitchens has the potential to grow and spread to other areas of the venue, such as the dining area. Alongside this, restaurants and bars often use candles and other fire-based decorations in order to uplift the ambience of the room.
Fire retardant fabrics used for curtains and upholstery can protect your furnishings from potential fire damage. Whether it’s a commercial kitchen fire that spreads throughout the seating area, or a customer accidentally knocks over a small candle; flame retardant fabrics are extremely useful in both situations. Without fire retardant fabrics, the potential for fire to spread as it burns through fabric is higher. You’ll also see more damage on your curtains and upholstery, due to small burns caused by candle lit accidents.
Flame Retardant Upholstery and Curtain Fabrics by Edmund Bell
One of the UK’s leading upholstery and curtain textiles manufacturers, Edmund Bell have spent years refining and perfecting their approach to flame retardant fabrics. From the luxurious Lustre fabric, with its metallic sheen and crushed velvet appearance, to the beautifully textured Eclipse fabric with its charming country feel, Edmund Bell offer a variety of fire and flame retardant fabrics for all commercial purposes.
Their Enduracare coating technology ensures fabrics are both flame retardant and stain resistant, maintaining a quality standard within your surroundings for years to come.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website interlock fabric properties.
Comments
All Comments (0)