Flame-Retardant Curtains & Textiles

Main designs

• Inherently flame-retardant fibres, where the flame resistance is part of the polymer and does not wash out
• Fabrics with a flame-retardant finish applied in the dyeing and finishing process, which must be checked for permanence
• Curtains and drapery, sewn to the buyer's drawing, with heading tapes, hems and fittings that are also suitable for the application
• Roller blinds and window screening, including blackout and sun-control versions
• Light-blocking and acoustic fabrics for cabins and public spaces, with the same test requirements

Properties that decide the choice

• Flame-spread performance under the approved test method, and the weight of the fabric tested
• Durability of the flame-retardant property after washing or dry cleaning, with the number of cycles the certificate covers
• Light transmission and blackout performance, depending on the space
• Colourfastness against sunlight and cleaning agents
• Appearance, hand feel and drape, since the same fabric is also a design choice

Selection and sizing

• Use case: cabin curtains, public-room drapery, roller blinds and window screening have different requirements for weight and light control
• Width and roll length against the number of seams, which affect appearance and the efficiency of cutting
• Cleaning method, since the care label and the certificate must match what the ship's laundry or contractor does
• Compatibility with tracks, rails and roller mechanisms, which also have to be non-combustible or approved for the space
• Flag or class requirements for the vessel type, especially for passenger ships

Regulations and class

SOLAS requires that curtains and other suspended textile materials on passenger ships and other vessels resist the propagation of flame, and the test method is set out in the IMO Fire Test Procedures Code. For ships under the Marine Equipment Directive, the material must be certified and carry the wheelmark through an accredited body. The certificate refers to the specific fabric and finish, so a supplier cannot substitute a similar fabric without a new test. Spare lengths, repairs and refits should also use certified material.

Typical faults

• Loss of flame retardance after washing, when a surface-treated fabric is cleaned more often than the certificate allows
• Replacement with uncertified fabric during a refit, only noticed at the next inspection
• Fading and weakening of the fabric from sunlight at exposed windows
• Shrinkage after cleaning, which pulls curtains out of shape and exposes the track
• Wear on hems, hooks and roller mechanisms, especially in busy public spaces

What to look for in a supplier

• A certificate that names the exact fabric, weight and finish, valid for the intended ship type
• Information on the washing or dry-cleaning cycles the flame-retardant property survives
• Batch labelling and cut-to-size service that keeps the certificate traceable on delivered lengths
• Matching trims, tapes and roller blind components that are also fire-tested
• Stable supply of the same fabric over the refit cycle, so later repairs match

Keep the fabric certificate and the care instructions together in the ship's fire-safety file. A curtain that was certified when new can fail on the day of an inspection if it has been laundered the wrong way.