How Often Should Curtains Be Fire Retardant Treated?

Understanding the 5-Year Certification Standard

Fire retardant treatment for curtains is essential for ensuring safety and meeting BS 5867 Part 2 Type B requirements. One of the most common questions venues ask is:

“How long does fire retardant treatment last, and when do our curtains need retreating?”

The answer is clear and follows industry-wide standards.

Certification Validity: 5 Years or 5 Dry Cleans (Whichever Comes First)

When curtains are professionally treated and certificated, the certification remains valid for:

✔ 5 years

OR

✔ 5 dry cleans

Whichever occurs sooner.

This is the established industry standard used across the UK. Fire risk assessors rely on this documentation to confirm that curtains remain compliant and that retreatment is not overdue.

We provide curtain fire retardant treatment on-site across the UK, ensuring full compliance with BS 5867 Part 2 Type B.

How Cleaning Affects Fire Retardant Performance

Dry Cleaning

Each dry clean reduces the level of fire retardant protection, which is why dry cleans count toward the five-clean limit shown on the certificate.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming is entirely safe and recommended, especially in dusty environments such as theatres, schools, village halls, and community spaces.

Washing

Washing the curtains will completely remove fire retardant chemicals unless the fabric is inherently flame retardant (IFR).

Most curtains in public and commercial venues are not inherently fire retardant and therefore must never be washed.

If your curtains need attention before retreatment, our team also provides onsite curtain cleaning and fireproofing, carried out safely without removing curtains from the track.

What Fire Risk Assessors Check

During assessments, risk assessors typically:

• review the fire retardant certificate,

• confirm the treatment date,

• verify the recommended retreatment date,

• check whether the curtains have been washed, and

• confirm they have not exceeded five dry cleans.

Clear documentation allows assessors to sign off compliance quickly and confidently.

When Curtains Need Retreatment

Curtains require retreatment if:

• the 5-year certification period is coming to an end,

• they have undergone five dry cleans,

• an inspection or risk assessment requires updated certification,

• insurance documentation needs renewal, or

• the curtains have been washed, which removes fire retardant entirely.

Retreatment is straightforward and does not require a site visit beforehand.

How Our Retreatment Process Works (No Site Visit Needed)

Because we operate nationally from Essex, our process is designed to be simple and efficient for customers across the UK.

1️⃣ Returning Customers

We already hold previous curtain measurements, allowing us to prepare quotes quickly and accurately without revisiting the site.

2️⃣ New Customers

We provide clear, simple guidance on how to measure curtains (width × drop). Customers can:

• email us measurements,

• upload them via our Get Your Free Quote form,

• or request advice if unsure.

Most curtains can be measured in a few minutes and do not require specialist tools.

Once we have the sizes, we prepare a detailed quotation and arrange an on-site appointment for treatment and certification.

We Can Treat Any Fabric — No Need to Know the Material

Many customers are unsure what their curtains are made of, especially in older buildings or inherited installations.

This is never a problem.

We carry a full range of professional fire retardant chemicals suitable for:

• cotton

• polyester

• mixed fibres

• heavyweight theatre fabrics

• wool and wool blends

• lined curtains (we treat both layers)

This ensures that every curtain is treated using the correct solution for its composition, maintaining full compliance with BS 5867 Part 2 Type B.

Key Takeaway

Professional curtain fire retardant treatment is valid for:

✔ 5 years or 5 dry cleans — whichever comes first.

Vacuuming is fine, washing must be avoided, and documentation should always be kept accessible for inspections. Retreatment is simple, fast, and can be arranged using either existing measurements or new measurements supplied by the customer.

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 the About Us & Our Expert page on our website.