Nfpa 701 Drapery Flammability Tester for Curtains

The NFPA 701 is a standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that specifies the test method for evaluating the flammability of textiles used in curtains and draperies. The NFPA 701 drapery flammability tester is a device specifically designed to perform this test.

 

The tester works by subjecting a specimen of the curtain or drapery fabric to a controlled flame ignition source for a specified duration. The flame is applied to the fabric for 12 seconds, and during this time, the specimen should not exceed certain criteria, such as a specified rate of flame spread or extent of flame propagation.

The NFPA 701 test ensures that curtains and draperies used in public spaces, such as hotels, theaters, and hospitals, meet certain fire safety standards. It is important to ensure that these textiles have minimal flammability to help prevent the rapid spread of fire and protect occupants in case of a fire emergency.

 

The NFPA 701 test is the national standard for testing drapery fabric to determine if it is considered "flame retardant" for use in public places. The test involves burning a small sample and measuring the flame, char length, and flaming residue. The NFPA 701 test has two methods:

Test Method 1 is for less dense, single-layer materials.

Test Method 2 is for denser, multilayer fabrics.

 

The Nfpa 701 Drapery Flammability Tester test method involves the following steps:

 

1. Sample Preparation: Cut a minimum of five fabric samples from the curtain or drapery to be tested. These samples should measure at least 20 cm by 25 cm each.

 

2. Mounting the Specimen: Attach each fabric sample to a metal support frame, ensuring that the fabric is taut and free from wrinkles. The frame will be used to hold the specimen during the test.

 

3. Preconditioning: Condition the fabric samples in a controlled environment for a specific period to stabilize their moisture content.

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4. Ignition Source: Position a controlled ignition source, typically a specified flame, at the bottom edge of the fabric specimen. The flame is applied for a duration of 12 seconds.

 

5. Flame Spread Measurement: During the 12-second flame exposure, observe and measure the rate of flame spread along the fabric specimen. This is done by visually assessing the extent of flame propagation and recording the time taken for the flame to reach predefined markers.

 

6. Criteria Evaluation: The fabric passes the test if it meets specific criteria within the specified time. The criteria include the absence of sustained flaming combustion for a certain distance and a specified maximum afterflame time.

7. Test Report: Document the test results, including the fabric sample information, flame spread measurements, and whether the fabric passed or failed the test.

 

The NFPA 701 test method ensures that curtains and draperies meet certain fire safety standards by assessing their flammability characteristics. It helps to minimize the risk of fire propagation and provides a level of assurance for public spaces where these textiles are used.

 

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