The most important are simple. What is the fabric made from? Is it absorbent? Has the treatment been independently tested to the appropriate fire standard? And can the supplier provide supporting test documentation?
Here's what UK buyers should look for, and how to choose the right product from the Flametect range.
Why Untreated Fabric Can Become a Fire Safety Problem
Many decorative fabrics, curtains, drapes and theatrical textiles are supplied without a fire-retardant treatment suitable for their eventual installation.
This can become a problem when a fire risk assessment, venue manager or responsible person asks for evidence of the fire performance of materials used within the building.
Typical situations include a hotel installing new curtains during a refurbishment, a theatre introducing new stage drapes or scenery, or an event contractor bringing decorative fabrics into a venue and being asked to demonstrate their fire-retardant performance before installation.
Rather than relying on an unsupported label claim, buyers should look for a treatment that has been independently tested against an appropriate recognised fire standard and for which supporting documentation is available.
How Fire Retardant Fabric Spray Works
Water-based fire retardant treatments are designed to penetrate suitable absorbent fibres rather than simply forming a coating on the surface.
When correctly treated material is exposed to an ignition source, the fire-retardant chemistry alters the way the material behaves. Depending on the formulation and substrate, this can promote charring, reduce flame propagation and help the material self-extinguish once the ignition source is removed.
Correct application is critical.
Applying too little product or failing to achieve an even application can significantly affect performance. Coverage rates should therefore be treated as guidance rather than a reason to apply the minimum possible amount.
The objective is even and sufficient application at the manufacturer's recommended rate, allowing the treatment to penetrate the material properly.
Fire Retardant vs Fireproof
No spray treatment makes ordinary fabric completely fireproof.
Fire retardants are designed to change the behaviour of a material when exposed to fire. Depending on the relevant test standard, this can include reducing ignition, limiting flame spread or helping flames extinguish after the ignition source has been removed.
This distinction matters.
Claims such as "fireproof fabric spray" are often used as search terms, but technically fire retardant or flame retardant is the more accurate description.
The meaningful question is not whether a product claims to make a material "fireproof", but whether the treated material has demonstrated the required performance when tested to a recognised standard.
Choosing the Right Flametect Product
The correct product depends primarily on the fibre type and absorbency of the material.
Flametect C, For Natural and Absorbent Fabrics
Flametect C is designed for natural and absorbent materials such as cotton, linen and other fabrics that readily accept a water-based treatment.
It is a strong choice for applications including natural-fibre curtains, drapes, decorative fabrics, theatrical textiles and other absorbent materials.
If the fabric is predominantly natural and absorbs water readily, Flametect C is generally the first product to consider.
Flametect Nitro, For Synthetic, Blended and Natural Fabrics
Flametect Nitro is formulated for a broader range of materials, including synthetic, blended and natural textiles.
It is particularly useful for polyester, acrylic and mixed-fibre fabrics where absorbency and fibre composition can make treatment more challenging.
Nitro can also be used on suitable absorbent decorative materials including foams, paper and card.
The key factor with either product is absorbency.
A water-based fire retardant must be able to penetrate the substrate. Waterproofed, heavily coated, laminated or non-absorbent materials may not accept the treatment correctly and should be checked before application.
Where there is any doubt, carry out a small absorbency test or sample application before treating the full material.
What UK and European Fire Standards Actually Mean
For curtains, drapes and window blinds used in non-domestic environments, one of the principal UK standards is BS 5867-2:2008, Fabrics for curtains, drapes and window blinds, Flammability requirements, Specification.
Flametect products have been independently tested to recognised UK and European textile fire standards, depending on the specific product and intended application.
For Flametect Nitro, testing includes:
- BS 5867-2 Type B
- BS 5438
- BS EN 13773, Class 1
BS 5867-2 applies specifically to fabrics and fabric assemblies used for non-domestic curtains, drapes and window blinds. It should not be presented as a general fire standard for every type of textile or upholstered product.
BS EN 13773 is the European classification standard for the burning behaviour of curtains, drapes and similar vertically hanging textile products.
Flametect Nitro-treated material has been independently tested to BS EN 13773 and achieved Class 1, the highest classification within the standard.
That provides buyers, specifiers and contractors with an additional recognised European classification for curtains, drapes and hanging decorative textiles.
Testing has been carried out by specialist textile laboratories, including BTTG, operating under UKAS accreditation.
That distinction is important. UKAS does not approve or certify Flametect products.
UKAS accredits laboratories and other conformity-assessment bodies against recognised competence standards. The laboratory conducts the testing, while UKAS accreditation provides independent assurance of the laboratory's competence for activities within its accredited scope.
A claim on a product saying "tested to BS 5867" or "tested to EN 13773" should therefore never be the end of the enquiry.
Buyers should be able to ask: Who conducted the test? What material was tested? Which standard and classification were achieved? And can the supplier provide the supporting test report or performance documentation?
Understanding BS 5438 and BS EN 13773
BS 5438 is a test method concerned with the flammability behaviour of vertically orientated textile fabrics when subjected to a small ignition source.
It has historically been widely used in textile fire testing, including the assessment of curtains and similar vertically hanging materials.
BS 5867-2 is a UK performance specification for curtains, drapes and window blinds.
BS EN 13773 provides a European classification system for the burning behaviour of curtains, drapes and similar hanging textile products, with Class 1 representing the highest classification.
For projects with specific fire-safety requirements, the appropriate standard should always be confirmed with the venue, fire risk assessor, specifier or other responsible person.
Upholstery Requires Different Fire Standards
It is important not to assume that a curtain or drape fire test automatically makes a treatment suitable for upholstered furniture.
Upholstered seating is normally assessed using different test standards, including standards such as BS 5852, depending on the application and regulatory requirement.
If you are treating chairs, sofas, fixed seating, mattresses or other upholstered products, check the specific fire-performance requirement before selecting a treatment.
Labelling Treated Fabric
Maintaining a record of treatment can make ongoing fire-safety management considerably easier.
This is particularly useful in hotels, theatres, schools, hospitality businesses and other premises where fire risk assessments may require information about when a textile was treated.
Iron-on fabric labels can be used to record the month and year of treatment, giving facilities managers and responsible persons a straightforward visual record.
The label complements the supplier's documentation. It does not replace relevant test evidence or the Statement of Performance supplied with the product.
Application: What to Get Right
Before treatment, fabric should be clean, dry and sufficiently absorbent.
Waterproofing treatments, stain-resistant finishes, heavy sizing, coatings or other surface treatments can prevent a water-based fire retardant from penetrating correctly.
Flametect fabric treatments can be applied according to the method specified for the product and substrate, with spray application commonly used for curtains, drapes and decorative textiles.
Coverage depends on the weight, density and absorbency of the material.
A lightweight fabric will generally require less product per square metre than a heavy stage cloth or dense decorative textile.
For that reason, coverage figures should always be treated as a guide.
The objective is to achieve an even application at the recommended rate across the whole material, rather than simply trying to maximise the number of square metres treated per litre.
Correct and even application is far more important than working to a theoretical maximum coverage figure.
What to Check Before You Buy
- The fibre composition of the material
- Whether the fabric is sufficiently absorbent
- The correct Flametect product for the substrate
- Independent test evidence for the standard required by your venue, project or fire risk assessor
- Clear information about the laboratory that carried out the testing
- Recognised UK or European fire performance classifications where required
- Clear application and coverage guidance
- Compatibility with metallic threads, fixings or decorative finishes
- Supporting documentation such as a Statement of Performance or relevant test information
Flametect C or Flametect Nitro?
As a simple guide:
Choose Flametect C for natural and absorbent fabrics such as cotton and linen.
Choose Flametect Nitro for synthetic, blended and natural fabrics where broader fibre compatibility is required.
If you are unsure what your material is made from, or whether it will accept a water-based treatment correctly, contact us before ordering.
Our technical team can help identify the most appropriate Flametect product for the material and the fire-performance requirement of the project.
Flametect products are manufactured in the UK by Eco-Sol Ltd within an ISO 9001 quality-managed environment, with supporting performance documentation available for the relevant products.
The important point is simple: choose the treatment to suit the material and the required fire standard, rather than assuming one fire retardant is suitable for every fabric.
