Fire Proofing Ltd spent four days at Lumley Castle during a cold and snowy January shutdown, treating curtains, four-poster-bed drapes, upholstered headboards and other upholstery covers.
01 · Winter shutdown
A four-day project during the winter shutdown
January provided an opportunity for the castle to complete essential work while disruption to guests could be kept to a minimum.
We stayed in accommodation attached to the castle and worked across the property for four days. Heavy snow and freezing conditions made it a memorable project, but the shutdown allowed the treatment to be coordinated with the electrical contractors already working inside the building.
02 · Curtains and drapes
Curtains and four-poster-bed drapes
The project included window curtains and decorative drapes fitted around the castle’s four-poster beds.
These fabrics were professionally treated to BS 5867 Part 2 Type B. The work was completed with care around the beds, furniture and historic interiors.
03 · Upholstery covers
Headboards and upholstery covers
Upholstered headboards and other upholstery covers were treated separately to upgrade the covers to BS 5852 Part 2, as requested by the person responsible for fire safety.
The treatment documentation included a dry-clean-only instruction for the treated covers. Water washing or water-extraction cleaning would remove the treatment and require the covers to be treated again.
04 · Electrical work
Working during electrical improvements
Electrical work was being completed throughout the castle during the shutdown period.
In areas where normal lighting was unavailable, we used head torches to inspect and treat the complete fabric surfaces. This allowed the fire-retardant work to continue safely without delaying the electrical programme.
05 · Heritage care
Protecting a historic interior
Working inside a castle requires particular care around valuable furniture, decorative finishes and historic features.
Nearby surfaces were protected before treatment, and equipment was positioned carefully within each room. The work was planned room by room so the treatment could be completed without interfering with the other contractors.
06 · Documentation
Treatment documentation
After completion and payment, treatment documentation was supplied recording the different work completed:
- Curtains and four-poster-bed drapes treated to BS 5867 Part 2 Type B
- Headboard and upholstery covers upgraded to BS 5852 Part 2
- The fire-retardant products used
- The areas and items covered by the treatment
- Maintenance and retreatment information
- Dry-clean-only instructions for the treated upholstery covers
07 · Specialist experience
Experience with heritage venues
This project demonstrates how fire-retardant treatment can be completed professionally within an important historic building while working around other contractors and a demanding winter schedule.
Careful planning allowed the castle’s curtains, decorative bed drapes, headboards and upholstery covers to be treated without unnecessary removal or replacement.