In this article, we are going to provide the details of what BS5867 Part 2 B & Part C requires and why as a business owner you should be using flame retardant fabrics that fits this standard. What is the standard BS 5867 Part 2:2008 Fabrics for curtains, drapes and window blinds."

Who is affected by BS5867

If you own a business and want to reduce the fire risk, then it is important that you are mitigating the risk of fire. So you should be abiding and using products certified by BS5867 Part 2 Type B and C.

The standard was republished in 2008. Title: BSI - BS 5867-2
Fabrics for curtains, drapes and window blinds - Part 2: Flammability Requirements - Specification

It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure that they are using products that are certified for use in the business environment, they can get this information by speaking to their fire officer.

Public Environments Risk - Always Check with your Fire Officer.
Low Risk Part 2B	Medium Risk  Part2C Suggested	High risk Part2C Suggested	Very high risk Part2C Suggested
Colleges	Casinos	Offshore installations	Locked psychiatric accommodation
Schools	Hospitals	Sleeping accommodation	Prison cells
		in hospital wards & hostels
Universities	Hostels
Museums	Hotel bedrooms
Offices	Places of entertainment
Nurseries	Public buildings
	Bars
	Restaurants

Lower Risk - Usually require BS5867 Part 2b

High Risk - Require BS5867 Part 2 C.

NOTE FROM DIRECT FABRICS

All fabrics supplied by Direct Fabrics which are in the flame retardant section are certified to BS5867 and have certification to show this. Other suppliers might not have the necessary information.

If you are looking to purchase flame retardant curtains then the view the range here.

Business Owners - How to Comply to BS5867

Need to specify the requirements for their projects to ensure that their fabrics are suitable for business use and that the Direct Fabrics team can supply the necessary flame retardant fabrics.

It is the business owners responsibility to ensure that they comply with the required standard. The table below gives an indication of risk level of your business and you can check with your fire officer which standard you require.

Choosing the Best Fabrics to Comply

When looking for fabrics or curtains you have a choice of part 2b certified products or 2c.

BS5867 Part2C are usually inherently flame retardant fabrics this means that you can wash them and they will not loose their flame retardancy. These are ideal for Care Homes or for centres that will be laundered regularly.  Remember to line your curtains with a lining that is also certified to this standard.

Curtain Linings and BS5867

For the item to pass the standard the curtains must have the face fabric and the curtain lining certified to the BS5867 standard. The curtain will only be to the standard of the lowest fabrics.

i.e the face fabric is certified to Part2C but the lining to Part2B, then you have to maintain to the lowest standard.

Flame Retardant Treatment of Fabrics to BS5867

Fabrics are available that are inherently flame retardant, these include polyester fabrics and other man-made material. Things like Cottons and other materials can be treated to meet the requirements.

How are Fabrics Tested for BS5867

Test method

A sample of the fabric, vertically held, is exposed to a small flame.

For type B (Hotels, etc) the ease of ignition is observed. It is also noted if the flame reaches one any edge of the specimen and/or if any burning pieces of fabric fall down.

For type C (NHS / Prisons) the fabric is further analysed to see what happens once the flame stops but when the fabric still may be glowing.

NB: The fabric is tested before and after laundering
type B (12 wash cycles at 40°c)
type C (50 wash cycles at 40°c)
Test Performance Criteria

Type B Performance Criteria: The edges must remain completely intact and no burning debris should fall.

Discussion of Risk.

When choosing which type of furnishings to purchase for your commercial premises, you should confirm with your fire officer.

If you do not use flame retardant furnishings and you have a fire, you may be at risk of not being insured.

Getting Fabrics Tested for BS5867

Fabrics are certificated by UKAS approved testing laboratories. You can get any fabric tested to the standard and they test the material to the standard. Here is a list of some approved testing labs.

Conclusion

Speak with the Direct Fabrics team to ensure that your fabrics are to the requirements required.

If you are looking to purchase flame retardant curtains then the view the range here.

*This entry was posted in and tagged BS 5867 Part 2 B C, Flame Retardant Fabrics, Fire Resistant Fabrics, care home curtains, flame retardant curtains, hotel curtains, British Standards, contract curtains on August 15, 2013 by Direct Fabrics.