Ask three purchasers in three countries what flame-retardant standard their curtains need to fulfill, and you may receive three different replies. NFPA 701 in the United States, BS 5867 in the United Kingdom, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) series in India all deal with fabric flammability but are not interchangeable.
Hospitality and institutional compliance officials do, too. This article will discuss what each flame retardant fabric standard involves, how they are different from one other, and what to confirm before you purchase in bulk.
Public buildings are hotels, hospitals, schools, and offices. In these places, curtains, drapes, and other hanging textiles are normally expected to fulfill a fire-performance criterion that is specified by the local ordinance, the building’s fire officer, or the end customer.
The correct standard is three things: the country, the kind of building, and the product. One standard can accept a fabric that another won’t, so verify this early. Our guide to institutional fabrics addresses what bulk purchasers want beyond fire performance.
NFPA 701 is “Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.” It is used commonly in the US for curtains, drapes, and similar hanging fabrics in commercial and public areas.
NFPA 701 is not a standard for upholstered furniture. Upholstery has got its own needs.
BS 5867-2:2008 is titled “Fabrics for curtains, drapes, and window blinds, Part 2: Flammability requirements, Specification.” It sets out three performance levels: Type A, Type B, and Type C.
For UK projects, confirm the required type with the fire officer or project specification before choosing a fabric.
In India, BIS publishes the flame-retardant textile standards. IS 15741:2007 covers resistance to ignition of curtains and drapes, and IS 15768:2007 covers resistance to ignition of upholstered composites used for non-domestic furniture.
India has also brought in quality control orders for some fire-retardant textile products. Requirements can change, so check the current BIS notification for your product before you buy or sell.
| NFPA 701 | BS 5867-2 | IS 15741 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United Kingdom | India |
| Covers | Textiles and films (flame propagation) | Curtains, drapes, and blinds | Curtains and drapes |
| Levels | Two test methods | Types A, B, and C | Specification |
| Key point | Choose the right method. | Confirm the required type. | Check the current BIS order |
These standards are not directly exchangeable. Just because one test report is happy, it does not mean another is. EN 13773 is a categorization system for the burning behavior of curtains and drapes. This is widely used on European projects, so check your client’s expectations.
Share the standard your project requires, along with your fabric type, weight and quantity, and our team will respond with next steps. See our Certifications page or contact us at enquiry@kochar.com.
A system of tests and standards that governs how a fabric should react to flame so consumers can check that it is safe.
No. They are separate standards with different tests and requirements, and a report for one does not automatically satisfy the other.
BIS publishes the Indian standards, including IS 15741 for curtains and drapes. Check the current BIS notification for your product.
No. Flame retardant fabrics slow the spread of flame. They are not fireproof.
Ask the fire officer, the local regulator or the end client, and request a test report for the exact fabric.
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