More Information About Inherently Fire Retardant (IFR) Materials
IFR Fabrics are manufactured from a number of polyester yarns incorporating organic phosphorous compounds introduced into the molecular structure of the fiber. Fabrics produced from these fibers are manufactured to meet NFPA 701 testing protocol. When tested in the laboratory, the fibers in the fabric retract away from the flame not allowing the flame to spread.
These fabrics are expected to retain their IFR properties for the life of the material. However, it should be understood that inherently flame retardant does not mean permanently flame proof. Ambient conditions, cleaning practices, excessive dust build up, etc., will affect the fabric's flammability characteristics. This is true of synthetic IFR fabric or any other cellulose constructed and chemically treated fabric. Proper care, cleaning, and periodic testing will maintain the proper characteristics.
Testing labs perform NFPA 701 tests with great consistency (with a sample and flame source under controlled conditions in laboratory setting). Field tests - as specified under NFPA 705 - can never be consistent as they depend largely on the current condition of the material and who is conducting the test. No fabric on the market today is manufactured to meet all the rigors of field testing. The official NFPA 705 Recommended Practice for Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films cautions and states: "There is no known correlation between this recommended practice and NFPA 701".
NFPA 701 is widely accepted and a certificate of fire retardancy for the fabric or curtains you purchase attesting to compliance with the NFPA 701 testing protocol should be sufficient. However, each municipal fire department may have its own requirements that need to be met.
The New York City Fire Department, for instance, is now conducting field tests on many stage and auditorium curtains even when a certificate for NFPA 701 is present, and this might spread to other localities. Many theaters keep a testing sample of their fabrics at the site for field testing should it be necessary.
When considering the investment of purchasing curtains made from IFR fabrics it is important to understand that though you probably will avoid the cost and inconvenience of re-treating your curtains each year - this cannot be guaranteed.
It is the obligation of every theatre to have their curtains field tested annually so that any problems can be dealt with before they develop. We also recommend regular brushing and vacuuming as part of theater maintenance.
