Posted by Katrina Lum on September 3, 2013 at 12:46am
I'm getting my booth ready to start the art-fair scene and am wondering how necessary flame retardant fabric is for the decorative curtains for your booth? If its something I need to have, do you know of any suppliers for flame retardant fabric? I'm looking to make something from muslin. Can you use the spray to treat your own fabric instead? What kinds of proof do you need for shows?
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Thank you everyone for your responses! I agree, after pricing how much chemical I would need to cover my curtains, it just doesn't make sense. I plan to buy some IFR fabric with Rosebrand (thanks for the link)!
Most shows do not require flame-retardant curtains. Some of the indoor, big-city venues do, such as convention centers. I have flame-retardant curtains just so I don't have to worry about it when I'm in a big convention center. I bought my fabric from Rose Brand (http://rosebrand.com). This is a theatre supply company, and everything they sell must meet those fire codes. Some of their fabrics are chemically treated, and some are inherently-flame-retardant instead. I chose a inherently-flame-retardant fabric so that I wouldn't have to smell the chemicals, and so I could machine wash and dry them without affecting the flame-retardancy. Yes, you can spray chemicals onto your own curtains to achieve the same thing, but I don't recommend it. Those chemicals stink! But if this is your best option, you can buy the chemicals from theatre supply companies too.
So using spray is acceptable, or just at some? The non-fire retardant muslin is about 1/5th the price (especially because I can get it locally and with a coupon for 40% off). I'm not sure how far the spray goes or how long it lasts, but it might be the better option for me at the moment.
mea rhee > Katrina LumSeptember 3, 2013 at 10:42am
I went the chemical spray route once, years ago. I bought a gallon of the chemical, and it was just enough to treat all the curtains and tableclothes in a 10x10 booth. It lasts as long as you don't wash the fabric. Once you wash it, it's gone. And like I mentioned in my other reply, it stinks! It made my throat burn while I was sitting in my booth.
I should add that a gallon of the chemical cost $50. The cheaper fabric might be less affordable than you think.
http://carrot-top.com/site-solutions/table-skirts/shirred-table-skirts
I used Carrot Top to make my pleated table skirts with logo printed on one. They provide certificate which you need to have for any indoor show, schools, churches as well as commercial buildings. Unannounced inspections by fire marshal who can shut down sites not in compliance, so carry documentation with booth.
If you purchase flame retardant fabric, there will be a certificate either with the fabric or on the manufacturer's (or distributor's) web site for you to print out. I suggest carrying a copy with your show stuff all the time.
You will need to show it more often at indoor shows than outdoor shows.
You go by what the shows require as far as flame retardant goes. I did get a spray from Dharma Trading.com and used it when the show rules required it. I treated the fabric and showed the fire inspector the bottle.
Replies
Most shows do not require flame-retardant curtains. Some of the indoor, big-city venues do, such as convention centers. I have flame-retardant curtains just so I don't have to worry about it when I'm in a big convention center. I bought my fabric from Rose Brand (http://rosebrand.com). This is a theatre supply company, and everything they sell must meet those fire codes. Some of their fabrics are chemically treated, and some are inherently-flame-retardant instead. I chose a inherently-flame-retardant fabric so that I wouldn't have to smell the chemicals, and so I could machine wash and dry them without affecting the flame-retardancy. Yes, you can spray chemicals onto your own curtains to achieve the same thing, but I don't recommend it. Those chemicals stink! But if this is your best option, you can buy the chemicals from theatre supply companies too.
Flourish has flame resistant fabric
http://www.flourish.com/ff_frames_and_fabric_intro.html
I went the chemical spray route once, years ago. I bought a gallon of the chemical, and it was just enough to treat all the curtains and tableclothes in a 10x10 booth. It lasts as long as you don't wash the fabric. Once you wash it, it's gone. And like I mentioned in my other reply, it stinks! It made my throat burn while I was sitting in my booth.
I should add that a gallon of the chemical cost $50. The cheaper fabric might be less affordable than you think.
I used Carrot Top to make my pleated table skirts with logo printed on one. They provide certificate which you need to have for any indoor show, schools, churches as well as commercial buildings. Unannounced inspections by fire marshal who can shut down sites not in compliance, so carry documentation with booth.
To add to what Chris said.
If you purchase flame retardant fabric, there will be a certificate either with the fabric or on the manufacturer's (or distributor's) web site for you to print out. I suggest carrying a copy with your show stuff all the time.
You will need to show it more often at indoor shows than outdoor shows.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
You go by what the shows require as far as flame retardant goes. I did get a spray from Dharma Trading.com and used it when the show rules required it. I treated the fabric and showed the fire inspector the bottle.