Flame Retardancy
What is the NFPA 701 test?
Under NFPA 701, drapery fabric is tested by burning a small sample and measuring the flame, char length and flaming residue. If a fabric meets the NFPA 701 standards in these three areas, the fabric is considered flame retardant and receives a NFPA 701 certification.
Though NFPA 701 is the national standard, it is not a law or regulation in itself. Authority to make and enforce laws and regulations in this area is granted to state and local governments. Many state and local governments have not developed their own standards. Instead, they require that draperies used in public spaces meet the NFPA 701 standard.
Fabrics used in most public spaces (including schools, churches, auditoriums, theatres, and more.) is required by law in many states and cities to be certified as flame retardant, according to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA has various standards depending on how the fabric will be used. In the case of draperies, curtains, and similar hanging textiles, the standard that applies is NFPA 701: Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. This test measures the flammability of a fabric when it is exposed to specific sources of ignition.
NFPA 701 (Small Scale) testing measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The flame, char length, and flaming residue are recorded.
The fabric will pass the test if all samples meet the following criteria:
- An after flame of less than 2.0 seconds
- A char length of less than 165mm
- The specimen does not continue to flame after reaching the floor of the test chamber
Fabric certified as flame retardant is certified to have been tested and passed the NFPA 701 test.
Although the average person is probably unaware of flame retardancy standards and regulations, this is an area that is of increasing concern. Ensuring the safety of the public means that anyone utilizing drapery fabrics in a public space, such as for stage drapery, theater curtains, exhibit booth design, offices, factory, and special event décor, needs to be aware of the potential for fire — and take steps to reduce that risk to the greatest extent possible.
Flame Retardancy Facts on Flame Retardancy – NFPA 701 Certification
Definitions of Flame Retardancy Terms
“FR” – Fire Retardant (aka Flame Retardant)
Fabric that is certified as FR has been topically treated in an immersion process with a chemical fire retardant after the fabric has been woven. All cottons and other natural fibers certified as flame retardant are FR topically treated. Some synthetic fabrics are also topically treated. Because the treatment is topical, it will wear out in time, and repeated cleanings will cause the flame retardancy to dissolve sooner. Most flameproofing chemicals are water soluble and will lso dissipate through dry cleaning. Draperies made from FR fabrics should be re-tested periodically for flame retardancy, as retreatment may be required. For this reason, “FR” flame retardancy is certified for only one year. A Certificate of Flame Retardancy is furnished to customers upon request.
“IFR” – Inherently Fire Retardant (aka Inherently Flame Retardant)
“PFR” – Permanently Fire Retardant (aka Permanently Flame Retardant)
Fabric that has been certified as “IFR” or “PFR” has been woven from fibers that are noncombustible for the life of the fabric. For this reason, the fire retardancy of “IFR” and “PFR” fabrics will last for the life of the fabric and will not dissipate after cleaning. A Certificate of Fire Retardancy is furnished upon request.
“NFR” – Not Fire Retardant
“CBFR” – Can Be Made Fire Retardant
“CNFR” – Cannot Be Made Fire Retardant
Fabric labeled “NFR” is not. If “CBFP” is indicated for a fabric, that fabric can be treated for fire retardancy. Such treatment would include topical treatment in an immersion process, making the fabric “FR.” Some synthetics can be made fire retardant. IF “CNFR” is indicated for a fabric, that fabric cannot be treated for fire retardancy and, as such, should not be used in public venues. Among the types of fabrics that cannot be made fire retardant are certain synthetic and/or metallic fabrics.
Lasermach's laser safety fabric is designed to withstand high laser energy up to EN 60825-1/4 certification with the flexibility to be cut into custom sizes to suit experimental needs. The laser-rated material is made of a special compound fabric, which is the same material used to make our laser safety curtain panels. The customizable nature of this fabric makes it ideal for creating window covers and building custom enclosures for experiments and optical systems.
Please ensure that the cutting tool you are using is sharp in order to reduce frayed edges.