As a business owner, you have a very long list of things to manage in order for your business to be up and running. Some of those things take care of themselves naturally and intuitively, and other things require proactive action. One thing that may fall under the radar that may not naturally be attended to is flameproofing. The FDNY, Building Department, Health Department and your insurance carrier all require certain items inside your building to have flame retardant treatment. Today, we’ll discuss some of those particulars.
First, let’s take a look at what objects are required to be treated with fire retardants. According to the FDNY, items and materials used for artistic enhancement and decorative purposes are mandated to have flameproofing treatments. Such items would be curtains, drapes, hangings, scenery, greenery, rugs, etc. If those items are washed or dry-cleaned after treatment, they need to be treated again. If items are deemed inherently flame resistant by the manufacturer, then those objects don’t require treatment.
There’s also a certain time limit for the effectiveness of the flameproofing treatment. If the chemicals themselves have a certain time span of effectiveness, that needs to be adhered to. However, the FDNY requires that objects be treated at least every 3 years, regardless of if the chemicals' time frame is longer. In order for the FDNY to consider the items legitimately flameproofed, they need to undergo a field flame test conducted by a C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder (the flameproofing company has this certification). If an item fails, it needs to be treated again until it passes.
A certain method of flameproofing is not mandated by the FDNY. Often, the methods of a flameproofing job depend on how large the job is, the company that is completing the procedures, and the actual items and materials that are receiving treatments. Yet, a common denominator in any treatment is that the objects must either be soaked in flame retardants or sprayed/coated with them. In general, soaking is a more comprehensive treatment because the chemicals penetrate to the deepest fibers of the material or object.
Chemicals that are used for flameproofing must be on an approved FDNY list. Chemicals that are water-soluble are often chemicals of choice because they work the best and cost the least. However, the downside of these chemicals is that their effectiveness is compromised when they come in contact with water, such as through washing or inclement weather - and even through dry-cleaning. Other chemicals could potentially discolor or damage materials, and still others have a limited time for which they are effective. The company you hire to complete your flameproofing treatments will talk you through which approved chemicals best suit your needs.
Finally, for your flameproofing treatments to be valid in the eyes of the FDNY, they must be completed by a C-15 Certificat of Fitness holder (such as Bronx Flameproofing). The certificate holder will issue you a flameproofing affidavit that is recognized by the FDNY, indicating that your business has received proper flameproofing treatments.
While flameproofing isn’t necessarily a complicated or lengthy process, it does need to be completed according to certain specifications. Bronx Flameproofing is thoroughly knowledgeable of all FDNY requirements, and we can make sure your business site is treated according to FDNY codes. If you have flameproofing needs, call us today. We have been industry leaders for over 60 years, and we are happy to serve your business. Call today for a free, no-obligation quote: 1-800-594-0117.