Fire retarding of curtains and drapes
The 2016 Building regulations now require Flexible Wall Hangings in any public space (such as a restaurant, schools, halls, shops in malls) to have fire retardant material or be treated to meet NZ Standard for flame retardant fabrics.
- AS 1530 Part 2 – This is the Australian & NZ Standard for flame-retardant fabrics for use in curtains and drapes.
Flexible Wall Hangings are any fabric that is suspended either from above or on a wall. That can include curtains of all kinds, Paper blinds, Wall hangings such as Tapesities, Tapa cloths, Flax, Palm or Grass Mat Hangings. Anything that is hanging and flameable.
All these can allow the fire to travel upwards to the ceiling, some very quickly, and the fire can then spread rapidly. Some are extremely combustable.
The Building code requirements are meeting more stringent inspection and it is possible that certificates and consents may not be issued if the product is not a fire retarded article.
If you are starting from new then that’s the time to get this right and we have information available to help with your consents.
If you are required to have a Building Warrant of Fittness then the same applies.
Some councils are now requiring curtains in houses where the curtains are close to a fire, to be a fire retarded product as well.
We provide a 5 year Certificate of Compliance for buildings that require fire retarded curtains to obtain Compliance.
Fires in buildings spread quickly and are deadly (see further down). Treating curtains with a Fire Retardant will slow the progress of flame upwards and may even cause the flame to extinguish.
Many curtain materials are flammable. Many contain natural and synthetic fibres which can and do burn. Curtains can provide a conduit from lower levels to the ceiling. Sources of flame vary from lighters (kids playing), heaters to electric blankets to lithium batteries found in many of today’s devices and cellphones.
You can protect yourself and your family by having them treated with a flame retardant (See below for product information).
A flame-retardant solution makes the material resistant to burning when it encounters a low-energy ignition source, such as a cigarette lighter or a candle. Curtain Clean can now apply a fire retardant to most curtains. This can be done on new or older curtains.
It is recommended that older curtains are cleaned before application of the retardant and the retardant is then applied as part of the cleaning process. Old dust and dirt hamper the fire retarding action.
Curtains on Fire.
1-2 Minutes
No one wants this to happen.
There are three types of materials; Fire resistant fabrics that are manufactured and can be made into curtains without further treatment, naturally fire retardant materials such as wool, and non retardant materials Linens, cottons polyesters and so on). Curtains can also be treated in situ. Call 0800 5790501 or email us us for information about this.
Curtains and drapes are treated with;
Inspecta-ShieldTM Fire Retardant Spray
Inspecta-ShieldTM is a versatile, broad spectrum, odourless, colourless, multi-use, penetrating, class ‘A’ fire retardant (for interior use only). Inspecta-Shield is non-toxic, non-allergenic and offers superior fire-retardant protection.
Inspecta-Shield Plus is a durable, non-toxic, penetrating, fire retardant. When properly applied, Inspecta-Shield meets or exceeds the criteria for a “Class A” rating on most materials.
Inspecta-Shield
- Treats both natural and synthetic materials.
- Meets or exceeds governmental criteria for a Class A Fire Retardant on most materials.
- Is durable – it will not wear off, dry clean out, or bleach out by humidity and it allows fibres to breathe
- Has a sun-shield with a U.V. stabilizer. This drastically reduces sun fading and sun rot and increases decorating options and fabric life.
- Is visible only under long wave UV light.
- Is odourless and colourless.
- Leaves no uncomfortable residue or unsightly salt rings after treatment.
- Is non-corrosive to metal when dry.
UL (USA), classified Inspecta-Shield assures a quality controlled, invisible fire retardant ideally suited for economical commercial treatments of:
- Natural and synthetic fibres.
- Upholstery, draperies and carpeting.
- Decorative products, displays, paper and cardboard.
- Stage curtains, mattresses and much more.
For more information please call us on 0800 5790501
NZ Standard for flame retardant fabrics.
- AS 1530 Part 2 – This is the Australian & NZ Standard for flame-retardant fabrics for use in curtains and drapes.
Flammability Codes
- NDFR – Non Durably Flame-Retardant – These fabrics are chemically treated with a water solution and if wetted in any way should be retreated to meet flammability requirements.
- DFR – Durably Flame-Retardant – These fabrics are chemically treated to withstand a number of cleanings.
- IFR – Inherently Flame-Retardant – These fabrics are woven from fibres that have high flame retardancy, and in some cases an additional chemical treatment is added as an extra safeguard. Often used in furnishing susch as couches.
- Not FR – Not Flame-Retardant – These fabrics have not had any flame-retardant treatment.
Call us today on 0800 5790501
or Email us to get further information.
See also: Cleaning Flame Retardant Curtains here.