FLAME RETARDANT FABRICS

Fabric that is certified as FR has been topically treated in an immersion process with a chemical
fire retardant after the fabric has been woven. All cottons and other natural fibers certified as
flame retardant are FR topically treated. Some synthetic fabrics are also topically treated.

Because the treatment is topical, it will wear out in time, and repeated cleanings will cause the
flame retardancy to dissolve sooner. Most flame proofing chemicals are water soluble and will
also dissipate through dry cleaning. Draperies made from FR fabrics should be re-tested
periodically for flame retardancy, as retreatment may be required. For this reason, “FR” flame
retardancy is certified for only one year.

FABRIC FLAMMABILITY

Fabric flammability is an important issue to consider, especially for drapery that will be used in a
public space such as a school, theatre or special event venue, since federal regulations require
that drapery fabrics used in such spaces be certified as fire retardant. Although all fabric will
burn, some are naturally more resistant to fire than others. Those that are more flammable can
have their fire resistance drastically improved by treatment with flame retardant chemicals.

Certain synthetic fibers are extremely flame resistant, including glass fibers and modacrylic.
Other synthetics, including certain polyesters, are slow to ignite and may even self-extinguish.
However, once synthetic fabrics ignite, they will melt rather than flame. The resulting substance
can lead to severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin.

Natural fibers typically do not melt. Wool and silk burn slowly, are difficult to ignite, and may
self-extinguish. With other untreated natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, the fabric can
ignite quickly, resulting in a fast moving flame spread. Fabrics that include a combination of
natural and synthetic fibers, such as polyester-cotton blends, can be particularly troublesome, as
they combine the fast ignition and flame spread of the natural fiber with the melting aspect of the
synthetic fiber.

The ignition and burn factors of fabric are also affected by the weight and weave of the fabric.
Lightweight, loose weave fabrics will burn more quickly than heavier fabrics with a tight weave.

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In addition, fabric flammability can also be affected by the fabric’s surface texture, with napped
fabrics (such as velvets and velour’s) igniting more easily than fabrics with a smooth surface.

FIRE RETARDANCY OF FABRICS

The flammability of fabric can be drastically reduced through the use of fire retardants. Many
natural fibers, including cotton, can be topically treated with a chemical that reduces the fabric’s
flammability to the extent that it becomes nearly non-combustible. During a fire, the chemical
reacts with the gases and tars generated naturally by the fabric, converting the gases and tars to
carbon char, thus drastically slowing the fabric’s burning rate.

Some polyester fabrics are considered permanently flame retardant. This is because the fabrics
are manufactured utilizing fibers for which the flame retardant properties are built directly into
the molecular structure of the fibers. Fabrics manufactured utilizing Trevira™ and Avora™
polyester fibers are considered inherently or permanently fire retardant. Other synthetic fabrics
may be considered durably fire retardant, fire retardant, or non-fire retardant. “Durably fire
retardant” refers to a process in which polyesters are chemically treated during the
manufacturing process with a non-water soluble chemical. In other cases, synthetic fabrics may
be topically treated with chemicals after the manufacturing process (in the same manner as
natural fibers such as cotton), or may be untreated (or untreatable) and therefore considered non-
flame retardant.

When a fabric is designated as “inherently flame retardant,” “permanently flame retardant,” or

“durably flame retardant,” the flame retardancy will last for the life of the fabric. The drapery
can be laundered or dry-cleaned as recommended by the drapery manufacturer. In the case of
fabrics that are designated as “flame retardant,” that have been topically treated with chemicals,
the flame retardancy of the fabric will dissipate over time, particularly with repeated cleaning.
These fabrics must be dry-cleaned with a non-liquid cleaning agent. Typically, the flame
retardancy of topically treated fabric is certified for one year, though the actual length of time in
which the treatment remains effective will vary based on the number of times the drapery is dry-
cleaned and the environmental conditions in the location in which the drapery is used. It is
recommended that topically treated drapery be re-tested for flame retardancy on an annual basis,
and re-treated by a qualified professional as needed.

TYPES OF FLAME RETARDANTS

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DFR (Durably Flame Retardant): Fibers have been manufactured with a flame retardant process
prior to being woven into fabric. As a result, the fabric is typically flame retardant for the life of
the fabric. This is the case for many polyester fabrics (though not all).

PFR / IFR (Permanently Flame Retardant): The fibers themselves are non-combustible.
Therefore the woven fabric is considered flame retardant for the life of the fabric. This is the
case for most Avora™ polyesters, Trevira™ polyesters, some other polyesters, and some other
synthetic fabrics.

Durably fire retardant refers to a process in which polyesters are chemically treated during the
manufacturing process with a non-water soluble chemical. In other cases, synthetic fabrics may
be topically treated with chemicals after the manufacturing process to produce flame retardant
fabrics

Aramid, like Twaron is used in modern fabrics to withstand high temperatures in industry and
fire-fighting.

HOW RETARDANTS WORK IN GENERAL?

In general, fire retardants reduce the flammability of materials by either blocking the fire
physically or by initiating a chemical reaction that stops the fire.

Physical action

There are several ways in which the combustion process can be retarded by physical action:

• By cooling: Some chemical reactions actually cool the material down.

• By forming a protective layer that prevents the underlying material from igniting.

• By dilution: Some retardants release water and/or carbon dioxide while burning. This
may dilute the radicals in the flame enough for it to go out.

One commonly used fire retardant coating is aluminium hydroxide. When heated, it dehydrates
to form aluminum oxide (alumina, Al2O3), releasing water vapor in the process. This reaction
absorbs a great deal of heat, cooling the material over which it is coated. Additionally, the
residue of alumina forms a protective layer on the material's surface.

Chemical action

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 1. Reactions in the gas phase: chemical reactions in the flame (i.e. gas phase) can be
interrupted by fire retardants. However, there are situations where the released gas
might be more dangerous when this type of retardant is involved.
2. Reaction in the solid phase: some retardants break down polymers so they melt and
flow away from the flame.
3. Char Formation: Solid phase flame retardants are those which cause a layer of carbon
char to form on the polymer surface. This carbon char layer is much harder to burn
and prevents further burning.
4. Intumescents: These types of retardant materials add chemicals which cause swelling
up behind the protective char layer, providing much better insulation behind the
protective barrier. In additions to being added to plastics, these are available as paints
for protecting wooden buildings or steel structures.

HOW DO FLAME RETARDANTS WORK IN FABRICS?

Flame retardant chemicals that are applied to fabrics are intended to inhibit or suppress the
combustion process. These fire retardants interfere with combustion at different stages of the
process like during heating, decomposition, ignition or spreading of flame. As with any matter, a
textile fabric exposed to a heat source experiences rise in temperature. If the temperature of the
fire source is high enough and the net rate of heat transfer to the fabric is great, pyrolytic
decomposition of the fiber substrate occurs. The products of this decomposition include
combustible gases, non combustible gases and carbonaceous char. The combustible gases mix
with the surrounding air and its oxygen. The mixture ignites, yielding a flame. It happens when
the composition of textile and the temperature, both are favorable. Part of the heat generated
within the flame is transferred to the fabric to sustain the burning process and part is lost to the
surroundings.

Now, if the textile is flame resistant then the flame retardant can act physically and/or chemically
by interfering at particular stages of burning. There are different mechanisms of flame retardants.

APPLICATION METHODS/ TEXTILES

1. Immersion - The most efficient method of impregnating fibers is to immerse
unpainted fabric.

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 2. Brushing on - Brushing the flame retardant on is less efficient, but generally
successful if done thoroughly. It is sometimes necessary to brush on to both sides of
the fabric.

3. Spraying on - Spraying on is also less efficient, but generally successful if done

thoroughly and if before and after weighing of the fabric is done to determine that an
adequate quantity of the retardant has been absorbed. A substantial portion of sprayed
retardant is wasted as it falls to the floor.

FLAME RETARDANT FINISHES

Fabrics can be coated with chemicals to produce durable flame retardants. Flame Retardants on
fabric can be applied through conventional padding, padding with multiple dips and nips. If
followed by 30 to 60 seconds dwell, it gives good results. The pH of the pad bath is optimally
kept at approximately 5.0. The amount of flame retardant required depends primarily on the
fabric type, application conditions, and test criteria required to be met with. Screening
experiments should be conducted to determine the minimum application level for a fabric

Fibres given an additional flame protection finish (right) can lose the protection as a result of
wear, age or frequent washing. Flame retardant Trevira fibres (left) are inherently flame
retardant. For this reason materials made from these fibres and filament yarns are likewise
permanently flame retardant.This is an important argument from the ecological aspect as well.
Apart from their environmentally friendly manufacture materials in Trevira CS require no

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additional fire protection treatment, such as normally combustible materials need. Treatments of
this kind are harmful to the environment. Flame retardant Trevira fibres and filaments are,
furthermore, certified to Oekotex 100 Standard. In comparative terms only very slight amounts
of toxic fumes develop in the event of a fire. This is particularly important, since in a fire the
danger of suffocation from smoke fumes is greater than the risk of injury from flames.

TREAT & TEST

Treated materials should be tested after an initial treatment, after cleaning and periodically as
prescribed by the flame retardant manufacturers. To test a material, hold a flame source to the
lower edge of a small sample for 10 - 15 seconds, and then remove it. A properly flame retardant
material will self-extinguish after a few seconds.

Many flame retardant products are water-soluble and are removed or weakened by laundering
and wet conditions. Some are unaffected by dry cleaning, however they should always be
retested after cleaning.

NFPA 701 TEST

Fabrics used in most public spaces require 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.

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LIST OF FIRE-RETARDANT MATERIALS USED IN CLOTHING
• Twaron

• Nomex (a DuPont trademark)

• Arselon (Khimvolokno trademark)

• coated nylon

• Carbon Foam

• M5 fiber

• Kevlar

• Proban fr cotton

• PYROMEX (a trademark of Toho Tenax)

• Pyrovatex fr cotton

• Dale Antiflame

• Indura fr cotton

• Technora

• Teijinconex

• Lenzing FR (fire retardant Rayon)

• Carbon X

• Kanox

• Mazic

• Modacrylic

• Kermel

• PBI

FLAME RETARDANT YARNS

There are a wide range of flame retardant yarns in single or blended forms for both industrial and
military applications by using the following inherently flame resistant fibers:

Meta Aramide

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 Para Aramide
Anti-static Fiber
Fr-Viscose
Modacrylics

INHERENTLY FLAME-RESISTANT FABRICS

Fabric type Fabric Content Common Applications
Nomex® IIIA 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, 2% antistatic Flashfire, Electricarc
fiber
Comfort Blend® 65% Nomex IIIA, 35% FR Lenzing Flash fire, Electric arc
Advance ™ 40% Nomex IIIA, 60% Kevlar Welding

PBI Gold ® 40% PBI, 60% Kevlar Flash fire, Electric arc

Protera ™ 65% modacrylic, 23% Nomex, 10% Electric arc, particularly 70E
Kevlar, 2% antistatic fiber applications
CXP ® 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, 2% antistatic Flash fire, Electric arc
fiber Fire Service station uniforms
Firewear® 55% Fibrous Flame-Retardant Fiber Electric arc, particularly knits
(FFR), 45% combed cotton Fire Service station uniforms

FLAME-RETARDANT TREATED FABRICS

Fabric type Fabric Content Common Applications
Indura 88% cotton, 12% nylon, Flash fire, Electric arc, particularly 70E applications
UltraSoft® FR treated Welding, and molten ferrous metals
Indura® 100% cotton, FR treated Electric arc Welding, and molten ferrous metals
PRO-C FR ™ 100% cotton, interlock Electric arc, particularly 70E applications, Flash fire
Knit knit, FR treated Fire Service station uniforms

CONCLUSION

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As the whole environment is going highly technical and risky, the demand for specially treated
textile such as flame retardant fabrics has grown significantly. In the process of meeting with
these demands, synthetic fiber has played a significant role. The textile industry has found the
solution by developing flame retardant finish for synthetic fibers like polyester fabrics, nylon
fabrics, polypropylene fabrics etc. Fire-retardant fabrics protect people in a diverse range of
occupations, including military personnel, racecar drivers, industrial workers, special effects
technicians and, of course, firefighters. And new innovations in fire-retardant fiber and fabric
products are raising protection of life and limb while keeping users more comfortable and giving
them a greater range of fit and mobility. New clothing options are being designed for a wide
range of body types, including products designed specifically for women. As a whole, there is a
great potential need of flame retardant fabrics in the global scenario.

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