Fabric Flammability
Continuing on the subject of flame retardancy, I thought I’d give a brief synopsis on the flammability of fabric. Consider the flammability characteristics of different fibers (in their natural state, not factoring in topical FR treatment) may assist you in making decisions on the type of fabric to choose for your next custom stage curtain.
Many synthetic fabrics are, naturally, extremely flame resistant. When they do burn, however, they will typically melt. The result can be extremely dangerous if it comes in contact with skin.
Natural fibers typically do not melt. However, depending on the fiber, some burn more quickly and readily than others. Wool, for example, is slow to catch fire and may actually self-extinguish. Cotton, on the other hand, can ignite quickly, with the flame spreading rapidly as well.
Fabrics made of a blend of natural and synthetic fibers can offer the “worst of both worlds,” combining the quick ignition of the natural fiber with the melting characteristic of the synthetic fiber.
Luckily, in many cases, chemical treatments can be used to make many fabrics much more resistant to fire. However, not all fabrics can be chemically treated for flame retardancy (such as most metallic fabrics). When in doubt, ask your fabric supplier if the fabric you are considering is flame retardant (or can be treated to be flame retardant), and make sure you get a Certificate of Flame Retardancy when you purchase.
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, I have written an article that is available on our website.
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