When choosing fabrics for a commercial interior, hospitality venue, entertainment space or specialist project, appearance and durability are usually high on the list. But there is another important consideration that should never be overlooked: how the material performs when exposed to fire.
That is where flame retardant fabric treatments come in.
A professional flame retardant treatment can improve the fire performance of suitable textiles and other materials without requiring businesses, designers or specifiers to abandon the fabrics they want to use.
But what does flame retardant treatment actually do? Is it the same as making fabric fireproof? What materials can be treated? And how do you know whether a treated fabric meets the standards required for your particular project?
Here is a practical guide.
What Is a Flame Retardant Fabric Treatment?
A flame retardant fabric treatment is a specialised treatment designed to alter the way a textile reacts when exposed to an ignition source.
One of the most important things to understand is that flame retardant does not mean fireproof.
No responsible fabric treatment provider should suggest that an ordinary textile becomes completely incapable of burning simply because it has undergone treatment.
Instead, flame retardant treatment is intended to improve the material’s reaction to fire and help it achieve the fire-performance requirements relevant to its intended application.
The exact result depends on several factors, including the fibre, construction of the material, treatment process and applicable testing standard.
That is why professional treatment and appropriate testing or certification are so important.
Why Are Flame Retardant Fabric Treatments Important?
Textiles are everywhere in modern buildings.
Walk into a hotel, restaurant, theatre, office, retail store or entertainment venue and you may find curtains, decorative fabrics, upholstery, wall coverings and other textile products throughout the space.
These materials are often chosen because they make an interior more comfortable and visually appealing. However, their fire performance may also need to be considered during the specification process.
Flame retardant treatments provide a way of improving the fire behaviour of appropriate materials while retaining the design possibilities offered by textiles.
For architects, designers, fabric suppliers, manufacturers and fit-out businesses, this can be particularly useful when a chosen material needs to achieve a specified fire-performance requirement.
Which Materials Can Be Flame Retardant Treated?
One advantage of professional fabric treatment is its versatility.
At Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments, FlameSeal is designed for use with natural, synthetic and regenerated fabric fibres. The treatment can also be used for certain leathers and wallpapers.
This creates possibilities across a wide range of commercial and specialist applications.
Potential applications may include:
- Curtains and drapery
- Upholstery fabrics
- Decorative textiles
- Wall coverings
- Wallpapers
- Leather
- Materials used for hospitality fit-outs
- Entertainment and event applications
- Selected materials used in specialist industries
However, fabrics can behave differently depending on their fibre content, construction, backing, finish and intended use.
For that reason, suitability should be established before assuming that a particular material can achieve the required result.
Where Are Flame Retardant Fabrics Commonly Used?
Commercial environments are one of the most common areas where fire-performance requirements become an important part of textile selection.
Think about a hotel, for example. Fabric may appear in guest rooms, restaurants, bars, reception areas, function spaces and other shared areas.
The same is true for theatres, entertainment venues, retail spaces, offices and other commercial interiors.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments has provided fabric treatments across industries including hospitality, hotel and apartment projects, restaurants, bars, retail, entertainment and corporate venues.
FlameSeal treatment is also offered for specialist materials and applications, including certain wallpaper and cardboard products.
Flame Retardant vs Fire Resistant: Is There a Difference?
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but it is useful to distinguish between them.
A flame retardant treatment is applied to a material to modify its behaviour when exposed to fire.
A material described as inherently flame retardant, meanwhile, generally obtains its fire-performance characteristics from the fibre or material itself rather than solely from a subsequently applied treatment.
“Fire resistant” is another term that can have a particular technical meaning depending on the product and application.
For project specifications, it is therefore better to look beyond general marketing terminology and ask a more useful question:
What standard has this material been tested or treated to meet?
That provides far more meaningful information than simply relying on a “fireproof” or “fire resistant” label.
Understanding Australian Fire Testing and Standards
This is an area where professional advice becomes particularly important.
Australia has different fire testing methods and requirements depending on the type of material, where it will be installed and how it will be used.
Standards commonly encountered in relation to textile and surface fire performance can include the AS/NZS 1530 series, AS/NZS 3837 and AS 5637.1.
These standards are not interchangeable.
For example, different testing approaches can evaluate characteristics such as ignitability, flame propagation, heat release and smoke development. Other methods are relevant to determining classifications for wall and ceiling linings.
The appropriate requirement depends on the material and application.
Rather than selecting a treatment based solely on a standard number found online, project stakeholders should establish the required compliance pathway for their particular application and then ensure the material is treated and tested accordingly.
Can Fabrics Be Treated to International Standards?
This can be especially important when fabrics are being prepared for specialised or international projects.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments’ FlameSeal service covers treatment for a range of Australian and international requirements.
The company advises that its facilities can treat fabrics for requirements including British, American and Canadian standards as well as specialist applications involving FAR Part 25 for the aircraft industry and IMO requirements for international shipping.
The relevant standard should always be identified for the individual project rather than assuming that compliance with one standard automatically means compliance with another.
Will Flame Retardant Treatment Change the Fabric?
This is understandably one of the first questions designers and fabric suppliers ask.
A textile may have been selected for its colour, texture, drape or overall appearance, so nobody wants to unnecessarily compromise those characteristics.
Professional treatment is intended to deliver the required performance while respecting the original material as much as possible.
However, fabrics vary enormously.
Natural fibres, synthetic fibres, blended fabrics, coated materials and delicate decorative textiles can all respond differently to treatment.
For an important project, asking about a sample treatment before proceeding with a large quantity can be a sensible step.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments offers samples for its FlameSeal service, giving customers an opportunity to assess the treatment in relation to their chosen material.
Is Flame Retardant Treatment Permanent?
The durability of a treatment is an important consideration, particularly when fabrics may later be cleaned, washed or exposed to demanding conditions.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments describes FlameSeal as a permanent treatment.
However, care requirements and the effect of subsequent cleaning should always be confirmed for the particular fabric and project. A treatment provider should be informed about the material’s intended use and likely maintenance regime so these factors can be considered before treatment.
What Should You Ask Before Having Fabric Treated?
The earlier flame retardancy is considered in a project, the easier it is to avoid problems later.
Before sending material for treatment, establish what the fabric is made from, how it will be installed, where it will be used and what fire-performance requirement applies.
It is also worth confirming whether certification or other documentation will be needed.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments provides certification with invoices for its FlameSeal treatment, which can help customers maintain project records.
For large or unusual projects, providing a sample beforehand may also help determine whether the chosen material and treatment are suitable.
Why Professional Application Matters
Flame retardant treatment is not simply a matter of spraying an unknown chemical onto a finished curtain or piece of upholstery and assuming the job is complete.
The objective is to achieve a particular level of material performance.
That requires knowledge of textiles, appropriate treatment products, controlled application processes and an understanding of relevant standards and testing requirements.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments has worked with the textile industry since 1991 and operates a Melbourne treatment facility capable of processing more than 5,000 metres of material per day.
The company also states that it moved from older solvent-based technology to non-toxic, water-based treatments in the early 1990s as part of its focus on more environmentally conscious treatment processes.
Choosing a Flame Retardant Fabric Treatment in Australia
If flame performance is part of your project’s requirements, start the conversation before the fabric is installed.
Identify the material, application and required standard first. Then speak with an experienced fabric treatment provider about treatment suitability, samples, testing and certification.
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments’ FlameSeal service is available for natural, synthetic and regenerated fabrics as well as selected leather, wallpaper and other materials.
With the right planning, flame retardant treatment can help designers, fabric suppliers, manufacturers and commercial project teams achieve required fire-performance outcomes while maintaining greater flexibility in their choice of materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flame Retardant Fabric Treatments
Does flame retardant treatment make fabric fireproof?
No. “Flame retardant” should not be interpreted as “fireproof”. Treatment is designed to improve a material’s behaviour when exposed to fire and help it achieve relevant fire-performance requirements.
Can existing fabric be treated with a flame retardant?
Many natural, synthetic and regenerated fabrics can potentially be treated. Suitability depends on the individual material, its existing finishes and the required standard, so the fabric should be assessed before treatment.
Can curtains be flame retardant treated?
Yes, suitable curtain and drapery fabrics can be treated. The applicable testing and compliance requirements will depend on the material and its intended installation.
Can upholstery fabric be flame retardant treated?
Many upholstery textiles can be treated, but the fibre composition, construction and project requirements should be established first.
Can wallpaper be flame retardant treated?
Yes. FlameSeal can be used on suitable wallpaper materials. The required standard should be confirmed according to the intended application.
Do all projects require the same flame retardant standard?
No. Requirements can differ according to the material, building, installation method, industry and jurisdiction. Australian and international projects can also involve different standards.
Can you treat fabric for overseas projects?
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments offers FlameSeal treatment for a range of international requirements, including relevant British, American and Canadian standards and specialist aviation and maritime requirements. The required standard should be specified before treatment.
Will flame retardant treatment affect the appearance of my fabric?
Results can depend on the textile. For materials where appearance, texture or drape is particularly important, arranging a sample treatment before processing the full quantity is a sensible precaution.
Do I receive certification after treatment?
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments states that certification is provided with the invoice for its FlameSeal treatment. Discuss your project’s documentation requirements before treatment to make sure the appropriate process is followed.
Where can I arrange flame retardant fabric treatment in Melbourne?
Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments operates from Dandenong, Victoria, and provides professional textile treatment services for commercial and specialist applications.
Talk to Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments
Need to determine whether your fabric is suitable for flame retardant treatment?
Speak with Australian Hi-Tech Fabric Treatments about your material, application and required standard. The team can advise on FlameSeal treatment, samples and certification for Australian and international projects.Factory 4, 53–55 Dingley Avenue, Dandenong VIC 3175
Phone: +61 3 9792 0722