Fire prevention today is certainly not the fire prevention of the past. As we've grown in knowledge and experience, we are more prepared than ever to deal with all the things related to fires. However, as much as we'd want them to be, fire prevention and the methods used are not perfect and have their limitations. These limitations relate to both having your business site flameproofed and the field flame test that comes after it.
When it comes to flameproofing, there is no one treatment that can completely guarantee to 100% protect an item. When objects receive flameproofing treatments, whether through soaking or coating, they will burn at a slower rate, and they will not add to the spreading of a fire. This delay in burning gives time for people to evacuate the premises as well as time for firefighters to arrive on the scene. It will minimize damage but not completely eliminate it altogether.
Once the objects have undergone flameproofing treatments, they will need to go through the field flame test to check for flammability. First, you should be aware that if items have been washed or dry-cleaned since they received treatments, the test will be inaccurate, and the law requires that they be treated again. The treatments have an expiration date. They are not considered flameproofed for the life of the material but require flameproofing treatments on a regular basis (typically 1-3 years) with chemicals that are on the FDNY-approved list.
When the field flame test is being performed, there are some best practices that should be adhered to. The sample being tested should be 1.5" x 4". If a bigger sample is able to be obtained, the results will be more accurate. Along these lines, the test will be more accurate if more samples are tested.
Another factor that contributes to the accuracy of the flame test is the tool that's used to cut the sample. If the tester uses a knife or a razor, he might expose strings or fibers from the inside of the fabric which potentially may have been unaffected by the treatment. If those fibers are factored into the test, it may yield an inaccurate result also. A sharp scissor should be the tool of choice.
The materials being tested all react differently to the flame test as well. There's a range of accuracy depending on the materials. For instance, synthetic fabrics or flexible laminates or films yield the least accurate results because they shrink, curl, or elongate once they interact with the flames. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), the materials that are considered completely accurate are the ones made from inorganic non-combustible materials, ones that are inherently fire-resistant, or ones that will ignite and burn easily.
Lastly, the results of the field flame test may be affected by the organic materials that are on the surface of the objects, such as dust and oil. A clean environment can help minimize the accumulation of these materials, providing the best flameproofing protection. However, as noted above, dry-cleaning or washing of items requires them to be treated again with fire retardants.
There is no perfect system in place to completely protect a business space from fire. However, flameproofing an area and having the successive field test is one of the best measures you can take. No one likes to think about the possibility of fire, but being prepared is the best way to have a favorable outcome should one unfortunately occur.
At Certified Flameproofing, we can professionally and thoroughly flameproof your business location as well as perform the field flame test, ensuring your site is safe. We have been industry leaders in the Metro NYC area for more than 60 years, and we are happy to lend our expertise to keep your business facility safe.
Call today for a free, no-obligation estimate and to discuss your needs: 800-590-5530