People’s lifestyles have been revolutionized by fire retardant fabric. All buildings must use fire safe drapes and curtains to avoid hazardous situations. According to statistical research, around 50% of all fire incidents are linked to textiles.
Link to Xinxing FR
Investing in high-quality fire retardant clothing and carefully examining ratings and regulations will assist professionals in remaining safe while completing even the most hazardous duties.
Fabrics resistant to catching fire or melting when confronted with flames or other ignition sources are considered flame resistant. Although no cloth is entirely flame retardant, some fabrics resist fire better than others. Fabric is labeled as fire-resistant or retardant material based on the time it takes to catch fire.
There has never been a realistic chance that a waterproof fiber and fire safety can exist. Well, China’s scientists have developed a cotton treatment that renders it flame retardant and waterproof.
Fire retardant material includes synthetic fabrics such as:
Wool is the most flame-resistant natural fabric, as it is difficult to ignite and often extinguish fires within its fibers.
Natural fibers, such as silk, cotton, and wool, are more prone to burning than artificial fibers. However, fabric production techniques can increase fire resistance by combining them with different chemicals.
There is a wide variety of fire resistant fabrics, each with unique qualities that make them suitable for various purposes.
Coated fabrics are a typical type of fire retarded material deployed in a variety of industries. These materials are frequently used for protection because they resist heat.
The most common types of coatings are:
These coatings are desirable because they also resist abrasion, chemicals, and ultraviolet light. They are also incredibly resilient, allowing them to be used in harsh conditions.
Another type of heat-resistant fabric includes silica fabric and textiles. They are ideal thermal barriers due to their poor thermal conductivity. In severe conditions, refractory coatings give excellent temperature resistance.
They are among the most rigid industrial textile materials in the world due to their outstanding resistance to various chemicals, low porosity, exceptional abrasion resistance, and overall high strength.
All textiles can catch fire, yet their characteristics differ considerably. Cotton is the most combustible fabric material. Silk and linen burn nearly as quickly and swiftly as cotton.
Did you know that you should never wear acrylic apparel near a bonfire?
The composition of the substance influences how it burns. Thin, lightweight, highly breathable fabrics catch fire and burn rapidly. Surfaces that are fuzzy, rough, or porous are more combustible than those that are smooth and impervious.
A flame retardant solution prevents materials from igniting when exposed to low-energy ignition sources, such as a cigarette lighter. To produce fire retardant fabric, textile companies add specific chemical components.
There are two common types of fire retardant fabric material treatments:
Yes, polyester fabric is fire retardant and is the most popular fire retardant fabric. While most natural fibers are combustible, plastic-based fibers frequently melt in response to heat rather than igniting. Due to their high melting points and low thermal conductivity, nylon and polyester fabrics have also become incredibly popular.
Some polyester fabrics are considered permanently flame retardant. This is because the flame retardant characteristics are included directly in the molecular structure of the fibers used to create the garments.
Regular washing will extend the life of your clothing so that it can continue to keep you safe. Before washing fire retardant fabric, it is essential to understand how to do so effectively. Clothes that are fire safe cannot be laundered in the same manner as regular clothing.
How to clean flame Retardant Fabric:
Using flame resistant materials on a property can provide an additional layer of safety. They can reduce the danger of fire and injury. Now that you understand what flame-resistant materials are, be careful to get them from a reputable vendor like Garment Printing.
Send us a note if you require flame resistant clothing for schools, hospitals, or hotels in Australia. Garment Printing is a one-stop shop for products and services. We have a wide selection of apparel and merchandise that can be delivered anywhere in Australia. We also create custom orders so that you receive precisely what you require. Contact us immediately for more information on our service.
The most used textile materials in the event industry
Cotton
The first one is cotton, since it is relatively cheap and easily available in all colours and widths. Cotton, being a natural fiber, lacks any inherent fire retardant properties. However, the fabric can be easily made fire-retardant through the application of flame-retardant chemicals. For example, our Admiral Backdrops and Deco molton are made of at least 60% of cotton.
Polyester FR
The second fibre type which is commonly used is polyester FR, also known as Flame Retardant Polyester. This is a specific type of polyester fabric that has been treated or manufactured to possess flame retardant properties. Polyester FR fabrics are commonly used in various industries where fire safety is crucial, such as in the production of stage curtains, event backdrops, and protective clothing. These fabrics undergo specialized treatments during the manufacturing process to enhance their fire retardancy.
The Admiral Staging Truss covers and Hook and loop stage polyester are an example of a polyester FR textile.
Types of flame retardancy
For more Fire Retardant Cotton Fabricinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
As mentioned above, for the entertainment industry materials need to be safe in use. For textiles this means they need to be fire retardant, when used on stage in combination with special effects like smoke, fire and fireworks. In this article, we cover three different types of flame retardant textiles.
IFR
Inherently flame retardant - meaning the flame retardant properties are inherent within the fibre. There is no flame retardant chemical that needs to be applied to the textiles afterwards. Because, when the polyester yarn is produced, the chemicals are already added in the production process so that the properties are inside the fibre.
NDFR
Non-durable flame retardant - these are fabrics, such as cotton, that have been treated with flame-retardant chemicals, typically a phosphor salt. Once these fabrics come into contact with water, the salt will come out and stain the fabric.
As a result, washing these textiles is not recommended as this would cause them to lose their fire retardancy and result in visible spots. Technically, it is possible to produce permanent flame retardant cotton, but that is very expensive.
PFR
Permanent flame retardant – cotton or polyester textiles which have been treated with chemicals after the weaving process, which make the textiles permanently fire retardant.
Despite the application of the chemicals after production, these textiles can be simply (spot) washed without losing their fire retardancy or leaving stains.
Certificates for flame retardancy
There are different kind of textile certificates regarding flame retardancy, but in Europe - and particularly Germany – the B1 certificate or classification is commonly used. This is part of the DIN -1 standard, which defines fire behaviour classes for building materials.
B1 classification
The B1 classification signifies that the textile material is flame retardant and has undergone testing to meet the requirements of the DIN -1 standard. In this classification system, B1 is considered a high level of fire resistance, indicating that the material is difficult to ignite and that it exhibits self-extinguishing properties.
Validity
Regarding the validity of the B1 certificates, it is advisable to verify local regulations as it can vary from place to place. In Germany, for example, the B1 certificates are valid for 5 years.
But this does not mean that the textiles are flame retardant for 5 years. The longevity of the flame retardant treatment depends on the conditions the textiles are used or stored in. If the textiles are exposed to excessive dust and high humidity while hanging, the effectiveness of the FR treatment may diminish within a few weeks. Therefore, for very humid conditions, it is advisable to use IFR textiles instead.
That is the reason why there is no official recommendation for how long the B1 certified textiles still have a B1. It is definitely important to know that the fire retardant chemical will not deteriorate if nothing happens to the curtain: so, a curtain which is packed tightly in its bag and has never been opened, will still reach B1 even after many years.
Our textiles
At Admiral Staging, we provide a wide variety of textiles for all your staging needs. We have Truss covers, Backdrops, Hook and loop stage polyester, and Deco molton, each designed with specific features to meet different requirements.
Our Truss covers are a blend of 85% Polyester FR and 15% Elasthane, offering reliable IFR properties. Not only do they keep your staging equipment safe, but they also give off a neat and professional appearance.
If you're looking for stage skirting options, our Hook and loop stage polyester is the way to go. It's made from 100% polyester, so you know it's tough and durable. It can be attached to the stage very easily, cut to size without fraying and reused multiple times without losing its quality.
Our NDFR, GRS certified Backdrops are made from a mix of 64% cotton and 36% polyester, and they come in various lengths and heights. They are perfect for creating awesome backgrounds that add depth and visual appeal to any stage setup. In addition to the regular Backdrops, Admiral also provides Sound absorbing backdrops designed specifically for studios and practice rooms. These Backdrops effectively improve internal acoustics and minimize external noise.
And when it comes to achieving a soft and elegant look, our Deco molton is what you need. It's made from 100% cotton and is NDFR. So, if you need good looking stage skirting, Deco molton is the ideal choice.
The most used textile materials in the event industry
Cotton
The first one is cotton, since it is relatively cheap and easily available in all colours and widths. Cotton, being a natural fiber, lacks any inherent fire retardant properties. However, the fabric can be easily made fire-retardant through the application of flame-retardant chemicals. For example, our Admiral Backdrops and Deco molton are made of at least 60% of cotton.
Polyester FR
The second fibre type which is commonly used is polyester FR, also known as Flame Retardant Polyester. This is a specific type of polyester fabric that has been treated or manufactured to possess flame retardant properties. Polyester FR fabrics are commonly used in various industries where fire safety is crucial, such as in the production of stage curtains, event backdrops, and protective clothing. These fabrics undergo specialized treatments during the manufacturing process to enhance their fire retardancy. The Admiral Staging Truss covers are an example of a polyester FR textile.
Types of flame retardancy
As mentioned above, for the entertainment industry materials need to be safe in use. For textiles this means they need to be fire retardant, when used on stage in combination with special effects like smoke, fire and fireworks. In this article, we cover three different types of flame retardant textiles.
IFR
Inherently flame retardant - meaning the flame retardant properties are inherent within the fibre. There is no flame retardant chemical that needs to be applied to the textiles afterwards. Because, when the polyester yarn is produced, the chemicals are already added in the production process so that the properties are inside the fibre.
NDFR
Non-durable flame retardant - these are fabrics, such as cotton, that have been treated with flame-retardant chemicals, typically a phosphor salt. Once these fabrics come into contact with water, the salt will come out and stain the fabric.
As a result, washing these textiles is not recommended as this would cause them to lose their fire retardancy and result in visible spots. Technically, it is possible to produce permanent flame retardant cotton, but that is very expensive.
PFR
Permanent flame retardant – cotton or polyester textiles which have been treated with chemicals after the weaving process, which make the textiles permanently fire retardant.
Despite the application of the chemicals after production, these textiles can be simply (spot) washed without losing their fire retardancy or leaving stains.
Certificates for flame retardancy
There are different kind of textile certificates regarding flame retardancy, but in Europe - and particularly Germany – the B1 certificate or classification is commonly used. This is part of the DIN -1 standard, which defines fire behaviour classes for building materials.
B1 classification
The B1 classification signifies that the textile material is flame retardant and has undergone testing to meet the requirements of the DIN -1 standard. In this classification system, B1 is considered a high level of fire resistance, indicating that the material is difficult to ignite and that it exhibits self-extinguishing properties.
Validity
Regarding the validity of the B1 certificates, it is advisable to verify local regulations as it can vary from place to place. In Germany, for example, the B1 certificates are valid for 5 years.
But this does not mean that the textiles are flame retardant for 5 years. The longevity of the flame retardant treatment depends on the conditions the textiles are used or stored in. If the textiles are exposed to excessive dust and high humidity while hanging, the effectiveness of the FR treatment may diminish within a few weeks. Therefore, for very humid conditions, it is advisable to use IFR textiles instead.
That is the reason why there is no official recommendation for how long the B1 certified textiles still have a B1. It is definitely important to know that the fire retardant chemical will not deteriorate if nothing happens to the curtain: so, a curtain which is packed tightly in its bag and has never been opened, will still reach B1 even after many years.
Our textiles
At Admiral Staging, we provide a wide variety of textiles for all your staging needs. We have Truss covers, Backdrops, Hook and loop stage polyester, and Deco molton, each designed with specific features to meet different requirements.
Our Truss covers are a blend of 85% Polyester FR and 15% Elasthane, offering reliable IFR properties. Not only do they keep your staging equipment safe, but they also give off a neat and professional appearance.
If you're looking for stage skirting options, our Hook and loop stage polyester is the way to go. It's made from 100% polyester, so you know it's tough and durable. It can be attached to the stage very easily, cut to size without fraying and reused multiple times without losing its quality.
Our NDFR, GRS certified Backdrops are made from a mix of 64% cotton and 36% polyester, and they come in various lengths and heights. They are perfect for creating awesome backgrounds that add depth and visual appeal to any stage setup. In addition to the regular Backdrops, Admiral also provides Sound absorbing backdrops designed specifically for studios and practice rooms. These Backdrops effectively improve internal acoustics and minimize external noise.
And when it comes to achieving a soft and elegant look, our Deco molton is what you need. It's made from 100% cotton and is NDFR. So, if you need good looking stage skirting, Deco molton is the ideal choice.
For more information, please visit Flame Retardant Knit Fabric.