Recent content by Tom Andrews

I don't think we can say the IFR is always better than cotton. It really depends on usage, staffing, both short term and long term budget, and ability to properly maintain them.As a separate backlash to IFR, in high end commercial venues we're seeing a resurgence in natural-based fabrics and...

Most of us who do testing and treatment professionally know to take samples of synthetics that are at least 1.5" wide, preferably 2" wide. A group of us did our own comparative testing with IFR fabrics with 701 test reports to find a sample size for 705 to provide fairly consistent results to...

Which 'rumor'?

Yes, definitely say they are non-FR if you donate them! I've seen too many little companies with actual bedsheets they've sewn together for curtains, it'd be sad if you cut them up, especially if they're in decent shape and they just didn't pass the FR test. Most places wouldn't buy new curtains...

If IFR attracts more dust than cotton, it's not a noticeable amount that I've ever seen. If a theater is dusty, all the drapes are dusty, and vice versa. If you can buy new curtains, buy IFR. The overall maintenance is far less over time. As noted above, there are as many weaves and thicknesses...

Sounds like your treated curtains did what they were supposed to do: burn in the area exposed to intense heat from your fixtures, but not continue to burn to spread the fire.

Though not all polyesters are IFR.

Unless the NFPA has made subsequent determinations since December 2017, Sparkular and other 'simulated' pyro effects are considered to fall under the same requirements as pyrotechnics. It's not an item for consumer use. See attached file.

Since the Station House Fire, fewer and fewer fire department officials will do the FR testing themselves. It's too much personal liability.Companies like us don't have the power to shut you down. We can do tests, we can treat, we can make recommendations, but you don't have to follow the...

I think any reputable company, regardless of their trade, would want to fix a problem with their customer. Just because in our business we both test and treat doesn't mean that we want to fail everything that we treated a year ago. I think the opposite is true. As I stated earlier, I'm much...

Yes, we guaranty for more than one year. Since the 'guaranty' time isn't regulated outside of NYC and California, we try to match our guarantees to regional competition. Most companies do 5 years, some do 3 years. We also take into account heavy usage and may reduce the time. For example...

NFPA 705 is a good 'indicator' of flammability for cottons, less so for synthetics and blends. Taking samples from different areas on a curtain may yield different results, for example top and bottom, and actual fabric vs. the selvage. In NYC the rules are somewhat different. In MA, the...

Shower curtains and standard plastic sheeting are usually flammable. Other options are clear or colored PVC (like the ones used in refrigeration units or as warehouse dividers, or the orange portable welding screens). Whatever you find, make sure you get documentation of passing NFPA 701...

A couple of points on flame retardant treatment: it's required, it's not really optional. Whether someone is actually there telling you to do it, that's a different story. The venue might require it but not tell you, the local fire inspector might not come around. It doesn't matter. If you're in...

No FR tieline that I'm aware of. We've been asked to treat tie line for certain purposes, and people have done searches. And yes, we can only treat the unwaxed.