Does anyone have a resource for a fire retardant spray to use on
curtains and other fabric in a craft show booth? I am doing my first
indoor show and all fabric must be flame retardant. Thanks!
Ali, Pick up an issue of The Crafts Report [if you don’t already
subscribe to this excellent, informative periodical] and check the
ads for vendors of booth supplies. Several of them sell the fire
retardant sprays. They come in several forms, and are not expensive.
I put my booth up in my garage, hung my curtains [made by a friend]
and sprayed them according to the product instructions. It’s a bit
smelly when wet, and I strongly suggest wearing a fume respirator.
If you purchased curtains you might want to check with the
manufacturer – they may already be protected.
Anne Hollerbach
Dharma Trading sells a fire retardant spray. I have used it on my
table covers. It stiffens the cloth a bit, but does not change the
color. They are at http://www.dharmatrading.com
I have never been inspected by the fire department, so I don’t know
if this treatment is really acceptable. You can buy certified
fire-retardant table covers and fabric at
http://www.dlrsupply.com/firecov.htm
I bought a long piece of the black fabric to use as a table cover and
I drape my treated colored fabric over it. I figure if the fire
marshal were to disallow my treated fabric, I would at least have the
black base piece instead of a bare table. I bought bulk fabric
instead of a fitted cover because the different shows I do provide
different size tables. The fabric is like a thick synthetic
doubleknit fabric-not too attractive, so I layer my treated pretty
upholstery fabric over it.
Hope the links help.
Just a satisfied customer.
Patricia Stoll
http://www.sonedesigns.bigstep.com
@Patricia_Stoll
Does anyone have a resource for a fire retardant spray to use on curtains and other fabric in a craft show booth? I am doing my first indoor show and all fabric must be flame retardant. Thanks!
Check your yellow pages for fire extinguisher/fire safety companies.
Most of them either stock the stuff or can order it. Be
forewarned, it’s about 40-50 dollars per gallon, but it goes a
pretty long way.
Ron Charlotte – Gainesville, FL
@Ron_Charlotte1 OR afn03234@afn.org
Dear Ali and All, We crossed this bridge several years ago. We
contacted a local company that specializes in fire extinguishers and
the like. The chemical used varies depending on the fabric. We used
a product called “#K-II”, a liquid fire retardent for poly and
natural blends. We needed a quart and it ran about $30.00. We
sprayed it on with a garden type sprayer. If I remember correctly,
it came with a certificate to show we had indeed purchased it and
applied it to our fabric drapes. If all else fails, call your fire
department. They should be able to direct you.
Have fun.
Brenda
david lee jeweler
Mason City, Iowa 50401
I found fire retardant stuff on the internet and mail ordered. I
don’t remember where, though I remember there were lots of places.
But here’s what I want to tell you, though. I think that, if at all
possible, you are better off buying flame retardant fabric. The
liquid I bought either didn’t actually work, if I merely sprayed it
on, then tested as the fire marshals do, or if I dipped and dried
the fabric, left it coated with salt or equivalent-- very ugly, even
after shaking and brushing. If others have had better luck, I look
forward to hearing about it, as I’ll probably have to deal with this
again this year.
By the way, just as a point of interest, this was for ACC Chicago,
and, after all my work to meet all the stringent rules, no one
checked anything. Extension cords, total wattage, fire
susceptibility, nothing. My neighbor had twice the allowed wattage.
I’d be interested in other people’s experience at big show halls
like Navy Pier or the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, or other ACC
shows and the like elsewhere. Are these things enforced mostly? Are
they enforced strictly some places? Has anybody been given a really
hard time? Where? Thanks!
–No=EBl
Some of the retardant chemicals are very specific to the type of
fabric. Some, for example, don’t play nicely with any form of
synthetic. You have to match fabric and retardant. They really
don’t prevent fire, what they are meant to do is prevent the fabric
from sustaining fire.
just as a point of interest, this was for ACC Chicago, and, after all my work to meet all the stringent rules, no one checked anything. Extension cords, total wattage, fire susceptibility, nothing. My neighbor had twice the allowed wattage. I'd be interested in other people's experience at big show halls like Navy Pier or the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, or other ACC shows and the like elsewhere. Are these things enforced mostly? Are they enforced strictly some places? Has anybody been given a really hard time? Where? Thanks!
Your mileage will vary widely. Some areas, like my locality, have
very active and well informed fire safety programs, in others, the
situation is really driven more by the requirements of the liability
insurance carrier for the location or event. By providing you with
the requirements, if you violate them, and something goes wrong,
your ability to make a claim is greatly diminished.
Ron Charlotte -- Gainesville, FL
@Ron_Charlotte1 OR afn03234@afn.org
I recommend you check out Theatrical fabric supply places like:
http://www.rosebrand.com and Dazian’s. (You’ll have to ‘google’
Dazian’s, I don’t have contact info.) I DO have Rosebrand’s print
catalog, and they have LOTS of info. Re: fire retardents and
fireproof fabrics.
David Barzilay
Lord of the Rings
607 S Hill St Ste 850
Los Angeles, CA 90014-1718
213-488-9157
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