Carpets and rugs can bring comfort and style to any space, but they can also present a potential fire hazard. Contract flooring is subject to fire and building regulations.
What are the UK Building Regulations for Carpets & Rugs (BS EN 13501-1)?
In recent years, fire-resistance tests for flooring throughout Europe were harmonised. This has resulted in BS EN 13501-1 being used as the classification system for flooring in all European countries.
This solved the problem of manufacturers conducting multiple tests for each country.
The tests measure the reaction of the carpet to fire and heat. The carpet is then categorised into a class from Bfl to Ffl. The addition of "fl" denotes flooring.
What do the flooring fire classifications mean?
The classifications are categorised as follows:
Bfl and Cfl are flame-retardant
Dfl and Efl are normally-flammable
Ffl is easily-flammable
Which fire Classification does my carpet or rug need to comply with?
The best person to answer this question is your fire officer or the person responsible for fire safety. Generally, a residential product class will be Class Efl and a commercial contract application Class Cfl.
How do you make carpet flame-retardant?
Ideally, carpets & rugs should be manufactured to be flame-retardant and CE marked with the Class Bfl-Ffl. If the carpet is Dfl-Ffl, it may be possible to spray it with flame-retardant to achieve Class Bfl-Cfl. In this way, a "normally-flammable" carpet or rug can be used in a contract environment.
A Case Study
Cirque Le Soir, a London nightclub, was hosting a themed night and needed to ensure the safety of its clubbers. To meet fire regulations, the themed carpeting in the venue needed to be sprayed with fire retardant to BSEN 13501-1 Class Cfl. This would ensure that fire resistance requirements were met, granting the nightclub the ability to comply with commercial flooring fire regulations.
After using a product that had undergone BS EN 13501-1 Class Bfl testing on flooring, we issued a certificate of treatment for their records.
How Can I Get My Carpets and Rugs Made Fire Retardant?
For more information about our fire retardant spraying services for carpets and rugs, and how we can help you ensure the safety of your residential or commercial spaces, please feel free to reach out to us. Our team is ready to answer any questions, provide expert guidance, and offer personalized quotes based on your specific requirements.
Call us at 07970 522475 to speak with one of our experienced team members who can guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Email us at adam@fire-proofing.co.uk for inquiries or to request a quote.
Visit our website at https://www.fire-proofing.co.uk to learn more about our services and how we can help protect your spaces.
Get Your Quote:
For a personalized quote, please fill out our "Get Your Quote" form available on our website. Provide the total square metres of carpet or rug that needs treatment, and we'll get back to you with an accurate estimate for your project.
Don't hesitate to contact us for assistance with fireproofing your carpets and rugs. Our team at Fireproofing is committed to ensuring the safety of residential and commercial spaces through top-quality flame retardant services.
About the Author: Adam Sawyer
Adam is an industry expert with over 35 years of experience in textile care and fire retardant treatments. He is the founder of Fireproofing, a company specializing in fire retardant spraying and application services for curtains, fabrics, upholstery, wood, and more. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and safety, Adam has built lasting relationships with clients and established a reputation for excellence in the field. To learn more about Adam and Fireproofing, visit About Us & Our Expert.