It might seem strange that we're posting an article about the limitations of flameproofing and the field flame test. But at Bronx Flameproofing, we believe in full disclosure. And yes, flameproofing and the subsequent field flame test fall short in certain ways. We'd be lying if we said they didn't. And today, we're going to explain how.
Just like anything else in our world, there's no way to guarantee that any particular location can be 100% protected from a fire. There's no measure, method, or system that is able to make that promise. While we absolutely back up the need for flameproofing and will always promote its life-saving ability, we want to be fair and paint a clear and accurate picture of how all this works together.
By law in New York, business owners are required to have particular decorative items soaked with or coated in fire retardants, or they need to be inherently flame resistant as per the manufacturer. This protective measure significantly aids in the slow and spread of a fire and offers valuable escape time for those in the building. However, it will not completely prevent a fire from occurring. Materials or objects that have been treated with fire retardants are still able to ignite and burn; however, they burn at a slower rate and they don't contribute to the spread of fire. They also don't support combustion. This is a life-saving measure because it keeps the fire from raging out of control and gives the firefighters more time to arrive - but it doesn't stop the fire from happening altogether.
Other limitations to flameproofing involve the shelf life. Treatments are good for about a year (maxing out at 3 years with some materials), and then they need to be treated again. It's not as if you can treat the objects once and you're good to go. In addition to that, washing or dry-cleaning compromises the effectiveness, and when they've been handled in that manner, re-treatment is also required.
Following the flameproofing treatments, the objects and materials undergo a field flame test, to see that they truly are fire-resistant. If the test isn't done to certain specifications, the results can be inaccurate. To yield the most reliable results, a test sample should be about 1.5" x 4" in size. In general, a bigger sample gives you more accurate results in determining how the material will behave if it is in a fire. If a greater number of samples are tested, you can zero in a little more closely to see how they will respond if ignited.
The tool used to cut the materials can also skew the results. A scissor will give you the cleanest cut and will not expose interior fibers that haven't been subject to the flameproofing chemicals. A knife or razor can fray the borders, and those interior fibers that haven't received treatment are now exposed, throwing off the results.
The material that was treated also may have certain limitations when tested. Not all objects react the same to flames. Flexible laminates or synthetic fabrics will typically shrink, curl, or elongate when exposed to flames. On the other hand, non-combustible, inorganic inherently fire-resistant materials or ones that ignite and burn easily will generally give the most accurate results.
Another factor that could be considered a shortcoming to flameproofing and the field flame test is the organic materials on the outside of the object or materials - particles such as dust and oil. While keeping a tidy environment can help cut down on them, they can't be eliminated 100%. This also can have an impact on how flameproofed materials could respond. And while washing or dry-cleaning might seem like a good solution to those particles, if treated items are washed or dry-cleaned, they need to be treated again.
We share this with you because we want you to have all the information you need in your arsenal to protect yourself and your business from fires. Knowing the shortcomings and limitations will only help you prepare better and be ready in any scenario.
Thankfully, great strides have been made in fire protection and prevention, but it doesn't take away from our need to be vigilant and prepared by taking proactive measures. No one treatment or measure is a foolproof guarantee, so having many layers of protection is what's required for maximum safety. At Bronx Flameproofing, we'd be happy to serve your business and perform our flameproofing treatments at your site. We are experts in the field, serving NYC and the Greater New York Metro area for over 50 years. Please call us today to discuss your needs and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote: 800-594-0117.