01 · The fire standard
What does BS 7837:1996 cover?
BS 7837:1996 is the British Standard for the flammability performance of textiles used in the construction of marquees and similar textile structures.
It covers the textile materials used to form the marquee and its internal linings. The treatment must relate to the particular fabric and the face that can absorb the required quantity of fire retardant.
After treatment and payment, we issue a Certificate of Fire Retardant Treatment recording BS 7837:1996 for the marquee fabric covered by the completed work.
02 · Internal linings
Fire-retardant treatment for internal marquee linings
Internal decorative linings are separate from the weather-resistant exterior fabric. Absorbent linings are treated on site after installation.
We need access to the complete fabric surface so the lining can be treated evenly while hanging inside the marquee.
03 · Exterior fabric
Can the external marquee fabric be treated?
External marquee fabric is often water resistant, so fire-retardant treatment cannot penetrate through its coated outer face.
If a water-resistant coating has been applied only to the outside, the uncoated inside face may still absorb treatment. In this situation, the exterior fabric may be treated from inside the marquee.
The inside face must be fully accessible. A fixed internal lining would need to be removed before the exterior fabric could be treated.
We confirm whether inside-face treatment is possible from the marquee construction and the accessibility of the fabric.
04 · Quotation details
What measurements are needed for a quotation?
Send:
- The length of each wall
- The wall height
- The roof or ridge height
- Whether a fixed internal lining is fitted
- The site address and postcode
- Photographs, if available
The wall lengths establish the overall marquee size. Combined with the wall height and roof height, they allow us to calculate the wall and roof areas for the quotation.
Photographs can help show the construction and access, but they are optional at the initial quotation stage.
05 · On-site treatment
How the treatment is completed on site
Internal marquee linings are treated on site after installation.
If the inside face of the exterior marquee fabric can be treated, the marquee must first be erected without its internal lining. We treat the accessible inside face of the exterior fabric.
The internal lining can then be installed and treated separately while hanging inside the marquee.
A fixed internal lining already in place may prevent access to the exterior fabric. In that situation, the lining would need to be removed before the exterior fabric could be treated.
06 · Common questions
Marquee fire-retardant treatment FAQs
What fire standard applies to marquee fabric?+
BS 7837:1996 covers the flammability performance of textiles used in the construction of marquees and similar textile structures.
Can internal marquee linings be treated?+
Yes. Absorbent internal linings are treated on site after they have been installed.
Can water-resistant exterior fabric be treated?+
Treatment cannot penetrate through a water-resistant outer face. If only the outside is coated, treatment may be possible from the accessible inside face.
What if a fixed internal lining is installed?+
A fixed lining blocks access to the inside face of the exterior fabric and would need to be removed before the exterior fabric could be treated.
What measurements are needed?+
Send the length of each wall, the wall height, the roof or ridge height and the site postcode.
Are photographs required for a quotation?+
No. Photographs are helpful when available, but they are optional at the initial quotation stage.
Will we receive a certificate?+
Yes. A Certificate of Fire Retardant Treatment recording BS 7837:1996 is supplied after treatment and payment.