National Standards
Unfortunately, it is not easy to navigate the maze of standards, regulations and requirements regarding this issue. Surprisingly, there are no “official” federal regulations regarding flame retardancy of drapery fabrics used in public spaces. However, there is a national standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), titled NFPA 701: Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. 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.
What is the NFPA 701 Test?
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). 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:
1. An after flame of less than 2.0 seconds
2. a char length of less than 6.5”
3. 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.
State and Local Regulations
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. The 2005 Florida Fire Prevention Code, for example, specifies in Chapter 20 that fabric used in places of assembly must meet NFPA 701 standards. Some states and cities, however, have developed their own standards and/or procedures. In California, for example, drapery used in public spaces must be made of fabric that has been registered with the State Fire Marshal, documenting compliance with Title 19 (Division 1, Chapter 8) of the California Code of Regulations. These requirements are separate and distinct from NFPA 701 standards. While the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts both accept NFPA 701 certification, New York City requires certification that fabrics meet requirements outlined in Title 27 (Chapters 1 and 4) of the New York Administrative Code, while the City of Boston requires that end users submit an application for a use permit, in advance, for each fabric to be used in a public space.
Is Your Drapery Fabric Flame Retardant?
With no overall national regulation, it can be difficult for the fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer to certify that a fabric will meet the flame retardancy standards, regulations and requirements of all states, cities, and venues. For this reason, fabric suppliers and drapery manufacturers generally designate fabrics as flame retardant when those fabrics meet NFPA 701 standards, and note that the fabrics are “FR” or “DFR/PFR/IFR.” While some of the fabrics may also be registered in California or be compliant with regulations in New York City or Boston (or other states or cities with varying regulations), the FR designation does not guarantee such compliance. So what should you as the end user do to ensure that your drapery meets the regulations and requirements of the specific state(s), city(ies) and venue(s) in which it will be used?
Here are a few tips:
Think about where the drapery will be used
Will it be utilized in a public school? If so, the local school district may have information about the flame retardancy requirements in your area. Will it be used in an outside venue, such as a convention center or hotel ballroom? If so, venue staff may be able to advise you on the regulations in the city/state/venue. Often, they will even have a packet available outlining all the requirements!
Contact the local fire department or city or state fire marshal’s office
Ask about the flame retardancy regulations in the city and/or state in which the fabric will be used. Ask if the city and/or state accepts certification of compliance with NFPA 701 standards, or if you must provide proof of compliance with other regulations or standards specific to your city and/or state. If the city and/or state requires certification of compliance with specific regulations or standards other than NFPA 701, ask the fire department or city or state fire marshal’s office what the process is to certify compliance. Does the specific fabric have to be registered or can you submit a permit application for a specific installation?
Discuss your flame retardancy needs with your fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer
If your city or state accepts NFPA 701 standards, the fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer can recommend appropriate flame retardant fabrics that meet NFPA 701 standards. If the drapery will be used in California, the fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer can recommend fabrics that are registered in California. For cities and states with differing requirements, the vendor may be able to assist you in certifying compliance or may be able to refer you to other organizations and companies for assistance. Consider flame retardancy before choosing your fabric! Don’t get your heart set on a particular fabric, only to discover that it is not flame retardant according to your needs. While some non-flame retardant fabrics can be chemically treated for flame retardancy upon request, such treatment will add to the cost of the fabric and/or drapery and may take up to two weeks (not including time needed to manufacture drapery or to ship the fabric or drapery to you).
Confirm that your fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer will supply a Certificate of Flame Retardancy
Some fabric suppliers will provide test results demonstrating compliance with NFPA 701 standards, but not a Certificate of Flame Retardancy. Even when a fabric supplier or drapery manufacturer does provide a Certificate of Flame Retardancy, the vendor may not automatically provide a Certificate of Flame Retardancy for all orders. Make sure that, at the time you place an order, you request a Certificate of Flame Retardancy for all flame retardant fabrics and/or draperies specified on the order. Typically, the Certificate(s) of Flame Retardancy will be provided to you with your order, not in advance.