Flame-retarded, textiles. Their properties and use

Most textiles without a fire retardant treatment ignite easily and burn fast. Inherent flame resistant fibres or permanently flame retarded materials have to be used in protective clothing against heat and flame. Also the fire safety of furnishings is important as the role of textiles in ignition phase of building fires is usually significant. With more stringent fire requirements and safety in general, the use of flame-retarded textiles is growing. Designers, suppliers, authorities, importers, maintenance personnel, users and manufacturers need information on textile products. This publication includes a compilation of widely usable information on flame-retardant treatments and flame resistant textiles. The publication is divided into several entities each forming a self-contained section. Therefore some items have been discussed in several sections. The items are presented in as simple and practical form as possible but some of the subjects require a more theoretical writing style, for example the paragraphs dealing with flame retardant treatments, smoke and toxicity. First the role of textiles in fires and accidents is discussed. It is clarified why most of the textiles ignite easily and the reasons for the differences in the burning behaviour of textiles. The burning behaviour of textiles with and without flame-retardant treatment is described. The effects of flame-retardant treatments on human beings as well as the environment are examined in a separate paragraph. The consideration of the environmental hazards caused by flame-retardants is increasing. The flame-retardant treatments can cause problems at the production stage as well as in use and during disposal of the products. Further items, which are discussed, include matters, which have to be observed for washing procedures and in maintenance, and the effects of flame-retardants on other properties of the textile and also the effects of other finishing treatments on the flame-retardant treatment. In building fires the fire deaths are caused mainly by the toxic effects of combustion gases and not due to skin burns. Factors contributing to the formation of combustion products and the fire test methods for measuring the generation of smoke and the toxicity of combustion products are described. In particular the formation of smoke and toxicity of textiles have been analysed. Finally a description is given on the requirements, guidelines and regulations concerning fire safety of textiles in Finland and on the improvement and optimisation of fire safety.