Inflammable fabrics

Nowadays, with ever more stringent requirements regarding the safety of interior furnishings, the fire behaviour of a fabric is a decisive factor for companies, and is also becoming increasingly important for individual consumers too. The reaction of a textile towards fire determines its its likelihood to ignite and to contribute to the starting and spread of a fire.

The fire resistance of upholstery fabrics is determined by means of tests, during which they are subjected to various temperatures.

• M fire rating
• Trevira CS
• Fireproofing

M fire rating

In France there is a general classification that defines the reaction of fabrics to fire: the NF P.92.507 standard. It is divided into six categories:

• M0 "incombustible"
• M1 "non-flammable"
• M2 "fire resistant"
• M3 "moderately flammable"
• M4 "readily flammable"
• M5 "highly flammable"

*The majority of premises intended for public use must be fitted with M1 fabrics.

ISO 12952-1:1998 specifies a general test method that applies as standard for all bedding, with a view to estimating their ignitability when in contact with a cigarette. Bed linen in hotels, hospitals and rental properties must generally comply with these standards, although it does not apply to bed bases, mattresses and mattress protectors.

Trevira CS

Developed by German company Trevira, this new family of polyester features specific characteristics that make it particularly inflammable. It retains its dimensional stability and the considerable resistance of classic polyesters to light and humidity. But unlike fabrics that have undergone fireproofing treatment, its resistance to fire is not affected by washing or wear.

Trevira CS is the fabric most commonly used by major fabric designers when looking for a permanently fire-resistant textile. Some of them use it to cover their entire furniture ranges, allowing them to be used in hotels and restaurants for example. Trevira CS also comes in two variations: Bioactive, with long-lasting anti-bacterial properties, and Polair, which is warm, comfortable, lightweight and easy to care for.

Nowadays manufacturers really compete with one another on the creativity front, and interior designers no longer have to choose between the practicality and aesthetics of a fabric. Trevira CS can take on the appearance of Organdy, velvet, satin, taffeta, metallic fibre...

Fireproofing

The anti-fire treatment of treatment represents part of the passive prevention of fire. The spray-based solution is simple to implement, and is colourless and odourless. It is nonetheless advised that you perform a test on a sample of fabric prior to use to avoid any nasty surprises.

These powder treatments allow you to protect furniture and fabrics positioned near a fireplace, for example, and must undergo a fire behaviour class report.