3 Big Reasons To Choose 'FabricBack' For Your Fire-Retardant Project

Everything from high-end upholstery to soft furnishings to drapes to down duvets covers mattresses and other fabric and material used for decoration in commercial spaces need to be treated with the appropriate Fire-Retardant Finish (FR) to comply with national FR codes.

Which fibers and fabrics are most Flame Resistant?

A Fire Retardant (FR) fabric has lower flammability due to its natural qualities and the chemical treatment that is applied to make it in compliance with National Fire Codes.

Certain fabrics are naturally more fire-resistant than others. Wool, for example, has the most fire-resistant properties because it does not ignite easily and helps reduce the risk of fire spreading which makes it ideal for interior applications such as draperies, bedding, and upholstery.

Fabrics that cannot be treated with FR treatment are acrylic, acetate, nylon, and any other fabrics that already have any water or stain repellency treatment. Repellency treatments act as moisture blockers that will prevent the fabric fibers from absorbing the FR formula.

What are the methods to apply the FR finish and are they safe for the environment?

There are two methods of application for Fire Retardants. One is by spraying the fabric and other materials and the second procedure is dipping, used on fabrics and ropes made of natural fibers that will fully absorb the treatment and serve as blocking barriers between the materials and flames.

The textile industry is ever-changing and now more future forward-thinking and are exploring new avenues to use more eco-friendly products in the fabrication and treatment process. We see more mills using chemical-free dyes and finishing manufacturers creating chemical-free products. Fabric Backing and Finishing uses a Flame-Retardant product manufactured by FireTec that is environmentally friendly and not harmful to the environment or toxic to humans.

How do you test fabrics for Fire Retardancy?

After the fabric, rope, or any other material is treated, there is a 24-hour period to conduct a field test which will determine if the fabric is properly treated. There is a set criterion that the fabric has to meet to pass the field test. The procedure consists of holding a flame for 12 seconds half an inch into the fabric from the bottom. Once removed after 12 seconds, the flame must self-extinguish within 2 seconds.

The majority of Fire Marshalls require proof that the fabric has been treated appropriately, as each application has a different FR code. Companies like Fabric Backing and Finishing that offer FR treatments will provide their clients with a Certificate of Application for the requested treatment. However, some state and local Fire Marshall authorities will require that the material is tested by a certified independent laboratory that can perform the corresponding fire tests for the specified FR code and provide the test results.

The importance of Fire-Retardant Compliance

Studies have shown that applying Fire Retardant treatment to fabrics and other materials will slow down the spread of fires and in some instances will reduce the probability of surfaces igniting. The state of California, in June of 2020, was the first state in the union to modify their FR state mandate to require that fabrics and other flammable home décor materials are in compliance with the appropriate Fire-Retardant Codes. It is indisputable that Fire-Retardant Codes and protection treatments Save Lives!