BEGOODTEX Flame Retardant Acoustic Fabric Passes SGS IMO Part 5 Test

In a recent project involving functional and flame retardant textiles, BEGOODTEX submitted its flame retardant acoustic fabric for third-party testing. The sample passed the surface flammability test carried out by SGS under IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5. The test report number is AJFTS26008480R01_EN.

Key test findings: The test results show that the wall system can self-extinguish under heat radiation. The average Critical Flux at Extinguishment (CFE) reached 27.4 kW/m2. Total Heat Release (Qt) was only 0.06 MJ, and the Peak Heat Release Rate (Qp) was just 0.1 kW. No burning droplets were produced during the test. The tested system meets the low flame spread requirements for ship bulkhead, wall, and ceiling lining materials.

Acoustic Fabric That Combines Sound Control and Flame Retardant Safety

Flame retardant acoustic fabric is used in indoor spaces such as ship cabins, theaters and auditoriums, meeting rooms, and hotels. It helps absorb sound reflections and improve acoustic comfort. At the same time, it needs reliable flame retardant performance to help limit fire spread along wall surfaces.

Why Flame Retardant Performance Matters in Enclosed Spaces

In ship interiors and other enclosed spaces with strict fire safety rules, passageways can be narrow. Evacuation may also be difficult. If large wall coverings catch fire, flames can spread quickly along the wall and release more heat.

Testing Agency and Standards: SGS and IMO Fire Safety Requirements

The test was carried out by SGS, an international third-party testing and inspection organization. It followed IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5, issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The test measures surface flame spread and heat release when a material is exposed to heat radiation that simulates fire conditions.

SGS Testing and Maritime Fire Safety Standards

• Third-party testing by SGS: SGS laboratories hold CNAS accreditation and internationally recognized qualifications. Their test reports are widely used in marine projects and international purchasing.
• IMO 2010 FTP Code: This is the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures. It sets mandatory maritime fire safety test requirements under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
• Scope of Annex 1, Part 5: This part covers ship bulkhead, wall, and ceiling lining materials. It checks whether these materials meet the low flame spread requirements when exposed to heat radiation and an ignition flame.

How SGS Prepared and Tested the Samples

According to SGS report AJFTS26008480R01_EN, the samples were received and tested in October 2026. The laboratory followed IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5. The aim was to reflect how the acoustic fabric would be installed on a ship bulkhead or building wall. The process included four steps:

• 1. Cutting the test specimens: The laboratory randomly selected material from the submitted orange flame retardant acoustic fabric. It prepared 3 test specimens. Each measured 800 mm x 155 mm. The total thickness was about 30.0 mm, excluding the backing board.
• 2. Temperature and humidity conditioning: Before testing, the three specimens were conditioned at 23 degrees C (plus or minus 2 degrees C) and 50% relative humidity (plus or minus 5%). The reference specimen was weighed twice, 24 hours apart. Both readings were 307.7 g. This confirmed a constant weight under the test requirements and helped limit the effect of moisture on the results.
• 3. Simulated installation with a calcium silicate board: Before the test, the laboratory attached a calcium silicate board to the back of each specimen. The board measured 800 mm x 155 mm x 10 mm. Its density was 950 kg/m3 (plus or minus 100 kg/m3). The assembled sample was then placed in the specimen holder. This setup represented a wall covering installed against a ship fire barrier or building wall.
• 4. Heat radiation and ignition observations: The specimen holder was placed in a test area with a specified heat radiation gradient. The acoustic fabric faced the radiation source. An ignition flame was applied near the upper front section of the specimen. During the 10-minute (10:00) exposure, the team recorded ignition time, flame spread distance, the final extinguishment position, heat release rate, and any molten or burning droplets.

What does this test mean in simple terms? It is more than holding a small flame against the edge of a fabric. The complete acoustic wall system is exposed to strong heat radiation and an ignition flame. The test shows how far the flame spreads, how much heat is released, and whether the fire goes out on its own.

Test Results: All Five Key Flame Retardant Indicators Passed

All three specimens passed the five main indicators in the SGS surface flammability test. These were Critical Flux at Extinguishment (CFE), Heat for Sustained Burning (Qsb), Total Heat Release (Qt), Peak Heat Release Rate (Qp), and Burning Droplets. The reported average results also showed a clear margin against the limits in the standard.

The following table brings together the laboratory results from pages 4 and 5 of the SGS report. It helps engineers and buyers compare the measured values with the IMO Part 5 requirements.

Test Item	Specimen 1	Specimen 2	Specimen 3	Average of 3 Tests	IMO Part 5 Requirement	Result
Critical Flux at Extinguishment, CFE (kW/m2)	27.8	26.5	27.8	27.4 kW/m2	≥ 20.0 kW/m2	Pass
Heat for Sustained Burning, Qsb (MJ/m2)	1.53	1.55	1.68	1.6 MJ/m2	≥ 1.5 MJ/m2	Pass
Total Heat Release, Qt (MJ)	0.062	0.052	0.065	0.06 MJ	≤ 0.7 MJ	Pass
Peak Heat Release Rate, Qp (kW)	0.140	0.140	0.150	0.1 kW	≤ 4.0 kW	Pass
Burning Droplets	0	0	0	None (0)	Not produced	Pass
Test Duration (min:s)	10:00	10:00	10:00	10:00	Full 10:00 exposure	Completed

What Happened as the Flames Self-Extinguished During the SGS Test

Appendix 1 (Observation) of the SGS report records how each specimen reacted during the 10-minute test. These observations go beyond the summary numbers. They show when the material ignited, how far the flames spread, and when the flames went out.

Specimen	Test Start	Initial Ignition	Surface Fabric Breaks and Ignites	Flame Spread Period and Maximum Distance	Complete Self-Extinguishment	Test End	Unusual Behaviour
Specimen 1	00:00	0:06	0:26	0:27–1:16 (up to 320 mm)	1:23	10:00	None
Specimen 2	00:00	0:05	0:24	0:25–1:20 (up to 330 mm)	1:24	10:00	None
Specimen 3	00:00	0:06	0:32	0:33–1:15 (up to 320 mm)	1:21	10:00	None

These observations show three important points for project buyers.

1. All Flames Went Out Within 85 Seconds

The three specimens first ignited after 5 to 6 seconds of heat exposure. Their surface fabrics broke and ignited between 24 and 32 seconds. However, the flames did not keep spreading downward.

The flames went out completely at 1 minute 23 seconds, 1 minute 24 seconds, and 1 minute 21 seconds. The specimens remained under heat radiation for more than another 8 minutes and 30 seconds. No re-ignition was observed.

2. Flame Spread Stopped Before Reaching the Middle of the Specimens

Each specimen was 800 mm long. The flames reached only 320 mm to 330 mm before stopping. The average Critical Flux at Extinguishment (CFE) was 27.4 kW/m2.

A higher CFE means that stronger external heat radiation is needed to keep the material burning. When the flame moves away from the hottest area, it can go out because there is not enough heat to sustain burning.

3. Very Low Heat Release and No Burning Droplets

The average Total Heat Release (Qt) was just 0.06 MJ. This is less than one-tenth of the standard limit of 0.7 MJ. The reported Peak Heat Release Rate (Qp) was 0.1 kW, equal to 2.5% of the 4.0 kW limit.

None of the three specimens produced burning droplets, burst apart, or came loose from the specimen holder. The report recorded “Unusual behaviour: None”.

Test Conclusion: Meets IMO Low Flame Spread Requirements

Section 7 (Classification) of the SGS report confirms that the tested flame retardant acoustic fabric meets the “Low flame spread” requirements of IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5 for bulkhead, wall, and ceiling linings. The very low heat release results also meet the conditions for being treated as compliant with IMO Part 2 without an additional smoke and toxicity test.

Why the IMO Part 2 Test Exemption Matters

When reviewing maritime fire test reports, marine engineers and buyers often check how Part 5 (Surface Flammability Test) relates to Part 2 (Smoke and Toxicity Test) under the IMO 2010 FTP Code.

In general, interior surface materials must meet Part 5. They may also need Part 2 testing to show that they do not produce excessive smoke or toxic gases when burning.

However, Section 7.2 of this SGS report states an important exemption condition.

Under IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5, Appendix 4, Clause 2.7, the sample can qualify if its Total Heat Release (Qt) is no more than 0.2 MJ and its Peak Heat Release Rate (Qp) is no more than 1.0 kW. In that case, the sample can be considered to meet Part 2 requirements without a separate Part 2 test.

For this sample, Qt was 0.06 MJ, below the 0.2 MJ threshold. Qp was 0.1 kW, below the 1.0 kW threshold.

This finding offers three practical benefits for projects and purchasing teams:

• Less time needed for testing and approval: The reported results meet the conditions for the IMO Part 2 exemption. When reviewing this specific material, the project team may not need to wait for a separate smoke and toxicity laboratory test.
• More evidence of fire performance: The sample released very little heat and did not continue burning under heat radiation. This helps explain why it meets the exemption conditions. Limited burning can also reduce the amount of smoke and gases produced.
• Clearer technical evidence for project reviews: These results can support technical discussions for cruise ship cabins, crew areas, offshore meeting rooms, theaters, and recording studios. Designers and buyers can present the test data to the relevant project and safety teams.

Scope of These Test Results

It is important to keep the following limits in mind when using the results for material selection:

• The results apply to the tested sample: SGS report AJFTS26008480R01_EN covers the specific flame retardant acoustic fabric and construction submitted for testing. It does not mean that every product in the series has the same test result or certification.
• Changes in specifications can affect performance: Fabric weight, width, and laminated or composite construction may change fire test results. Buyers should check the matching third-party report and batch consistency for their exact project specifications.

For B2B flame retardant textile and acoustic wall covering projects, buyers should first match the material system to the required fire safety standards. These may include IMO FTP Code, EN 13501-1, or NFPA 701. The final installation structure also matters. Third-party laboratory test results should be used to verify compliance.

Continuing to Focus on Textile Safety

At BEGOODTEX, our work on functional textiles starts with real project requirements. We use material testing and product development to support different applications.

• Comfort and tested safety: We consider appearance, fabric feel, acoustic performance, and everyday use. We also rely on third-party laboratory tests to check actual flame retardant performance.
• Custom solutions for different applications: We will continue developing flame retardant fabrics for ship interiors, public venues, and commercial spaces. Fabric weight, width, and color can be adjusted to meet project requirements. Our goal is to balance useful fabric functions with fire safety needs.

Summary

The flame retardant acoustic fabric submitted for a BEGOODTEX project passed the SGS surface flammability test under IMO 2010 FTP Code Annex 1, Part 5. Here are the main findings:

• All key test values met the requirements: The average Critical Flux at Extinguishment (CFE) was 27.4 kW/m2. Heat for Sustained Burning (Qsb) was 1.6 MJ/m2. Total Heat Release (Qt) was 0.06 MJ, and Peak Heat Release Rate (Qp) was 0.1 kW. There were no burning droplets. All three specimens self-extinguished in about 80 seconds.
• Meets two IMO compliance conditions: The sample met the low flame spread requirements for bulkhead, wall, and ceiling lining materials. Its low heat release also met the conditions for the IMO Part 2 test exemption.
• Advice for project buyers: For marine interiors and commercial public spaces, test the complete material system. Check the applicable fire safety standards and use third-party results when choosing flame retardant materials.

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