Our certificates state that retreatment is necessary after five years or five dry cleans, whichever comes first.
01 · Certificate period
What the five-year period means
The five-year period begins from the treatment date shown on the Fire Proofing Ltd certificate. If the curtains reach five years without being dry cleaned five times, retreatment becomes due at the end of that period.
This is not an unconditional guarantee regardless of care or use. Washing, water-based cleaning and significant changes to the curtains can make earlier retreatment necessary. Keep the certificate with the venue’s fire-safety records and record the date of each professional clean.
02 · Dry cleaning
Does dry cleaning remove fire-retardant treatment?
Our curtain certificates allow up to five dry-cleaning cycles. Each professional dry clean counts towards that limit, so curtains dry cleaned five times need retreating even when the five-year date has not been reached.
Water washing and water-extraction cleaning remove the water-soluble treatment applied by Fire Proofing Ltd. Curtains cleaned using either method need to be retreated before relying on the previous treatment certificate.
03 · Routine vacuuming
Does vacuuming affect the treatment?
Careful routine vacuuming does not count as a dry-cleaning cycle. It is a useful way to remove dust from curtains while they remain hanging and can reduce how frequently deeper cleaning is required.
Use suitable equipment and take particular care with delicate fabrics, trims and older curtains. If the condition of the fabric is uncertain, ask for advice before cleaning.
04 · Earlier retreatment
When might retreatment be needed sooner?
Arrange advice before the normal retreatment date if the curtains have been washed, wet cleaned, affected by substantial water damage or altered since treatment. New or replacement curtain panels are not covered by a certificate issued for the original installation.
Retreatment may also be appropriate when the treatment history cannot be verified or when a venue, insurer or fire-risk assessor asks for current evidence. Send us any wording you have received so we can confirm what is required.
05 · Cleaning before treatment
Should curtains be cleaned before retreatment?
Curtains that are dusty, stained or heavily soiled should be cleaned before new fire-retardant treatment is applied. This avoids applying treatment over accumulated dirt and helps achieve an even professional result.
Cleaning and fireproofing can be arranged together. The curtains are cleaned first, allowed to dry and then treated while hanging. A new BS 5867 Part 2 Type B treatment certificate is supplied after the work is completed and payment is received.
06 · Getting a quotation
What to send for a retreatment quotation
Send the curtain width, drop, quantity, lining details and venue postcode. If available, include the date of the current certificate and tell us whether the curtains have been dry cleaned, washed or altered since treatment.
For returning customers we may already hold the previous measurements. New customers can send approximate measurements first, and photographs can be added if they help explain the installation or condition.
07 · Common questions
Curtain retreatment questions
Is curtain retreatment always required every five years?+
Fire Proofing Ltd certificates state five years or five dry-cleaning cycles, whichever comes first. Washing, water-based cleaning, alterations or a specific venue requirement can make retreatment necessary sooner.
Do five dry cleans mean five separate cleaning visits?+
Yes. Each professional dry-cleaning cycle counts towards the five-clean limit stated on the certificate.
Can fire-retardant-treated curtains be washed?+
Water washing and water-extraction cleaning remove the water-soluble treatment applied by Fire Proofing Ltd. The curtains need retreating afterwards.
Can existing stage curtains be retreated while hanging?+
Suitable curtains are normally treated on site while hanging. We confirm the fabric, condition, access and measurements before arranging the work.
When is the new certificate supplied?+
The new BS 5867 Part 2 Type B treatment certificate is supplied electronically after treatment has been completed and payment received.