Why Marine Fabrics Need IMO MSC 307

Marine soft furnishings cannot be selected the same way as hotel textiles.

A curtain, sofa fabric, or bedding fabric may have a flame-retardant report for hotel use, but that does not mean it can be used on a ship.

Onboard escape is harder. Spaces are more enclosed. Smoke and toxic gases are a bigger concern. That is why marine materials need to follow the IMO fire safety system.

IMO MSC 307 clearly specifies the flame-retardant requirements for materials used in ship interiors. It is regarded as the gold standard for maritime fire safety, ensuring that every curtain, sofa, and mattress installed on board is designed to minimize fire risks and enhance passenger and crew safety.

What Is IMO MSC 307?

IMO MSC 307 is the abbreviated name for IMO Resolution MSC.307(88), which was formally adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in December 2010.

The primary purpose of this resolution was to introduce and enforce the 2010 International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (2010 FTP Code). Before the adoption of MSC.307(88), the maritime industry relied on older fire-testing regulations. The new resolution updated these requirements to reflect modern materials, technologies, and more accurate testing methods.

As the legal framework for the 2010 FTP Code, IMO MSC 307 mandates that materials and products used on ships subject to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) comply with specific fire-performance requirements. These regulations help ensure that interior furnishings, surface materials, textiles, and other onboard products meet stringent fire-safety standards, reducing the risk of fire and enhancing the protection of passengers, crew members, and vessels.

What Is the Relationship Between MSC 307 and the 2010 FTP Code?

Many buyers feel confused when they see terms like:

• MSC.307(88)
• 2010 FTP Code
• Part 7
• Part 8
• Part 9

They are all connected within the IMO marine fire testing system.

A simple way to understand it:

MSC.307(88) is the IMO resolution that formally adopted the 2010 FTP Code into the marine fire safety framework.

The 2010 FTP Code gives the actual test methods. It is divided into different Parts for different products.

For example:

• Curtains and vertically hanging textiles usually fall under Part 7.
• Sofas, chairs, and upholstered furniture usually fall under Part 8.
• Mattresses, pillows, quilts, and bedding items usually fall under Part 9.

So when sourcing marine fabrics, do not only ask:

“Do you have an IMO certificate?”

You need to check which Part the report refers to, what product was tested, and whether the report covers the final product you want to buy.

Why Are Marine Fire Requirements So Strict?

A fire at sea is very different from a fire on land.

In a building, people can usually move toward stairways, exits, or open areas. On a ship, spaces are more enclosed. Corridors are narrow, cabins are many, and people may be spread across different decks and areas.

Once fire spreads, smoke can quickly fill escape routes.

That is why marine materials cannot be judged only by whether they catch fire.

They also need to be reviewed for flame spread, smoke, toxic gases, flaming droplets, smoldering behavior, and the fire performance of complete products such as furniture and bedding.

This is why marine standards are stricter.

A curtain that passes NFPA 701 for a hotel project may be suitable for a building, but it still needs to be checked under IMO FTP Code Part 7 before it can be used onboard.

A ship project will not accept a fabric only because it is described as “fire rated.”

Which Materials Are Affected by IMO MSC 307?

MSC 307 can apply to many materials, not only curtains.

Inside a ship cabin, curtains, sofas, seats, mattresses, pillows, quilts, wall coverings, ceiling materials, flooring, and insulation materials may all need IMO-related testing.

Different products match different Parts.

Curtains, drapes, and decorative hanging fabrics usually refer to Part 7.

Sofas, seats, cinema chairs, and upholstered furniture usually refer to Part 8.

Mattresses, pillows, quilts, mattress protectors, and bedding items usually refer to Part 9.

Wall and ceiling finishes may involve Part 2 and Part 5.

Insulation materials may involve Part 1, while floor base materials may involve Part 6.

This classification helps buyers find the right direction.

But before placing an order, always check the requirements from the classification society, shipowner, design company, and project specification.

Part 7: Marine Curtains and Vertically Hanging Textiles

Part 7 is often used for marine curtains and drapes.

It applies to flexible materials that hang vertically, such as cabin curtains, blinds, stage curtains, and decorative hanging fabrics.

These materials need a separate test because they burn differently when hanging. If the bottom of a curtain catches fire, the flame may climb upward along the fabric surface. A flat fabric test may not show this risk clearly.

Part 7 usually looks at burning time, char length, surface flash, and whether flaming droplets appear.

So when buying marine curtain fabric, do not rely only on the supplier saying:

“This is flame-retardant fabric.”

Check whether the report is for IMO FTP Code Part 7, and whether the tested sample matches the actual bulk fabric.

If the color, weight, coating, backing, or laminated structure changes, the old report may no longer apply.

Marine projects care a lot about document consistency. This should be confirmed early.

Part 8: Marine Sofas and Seats

Sofas, chairs, cinema seats, restaurant seating, and other upholstered furniture onboard usually need to look at Part 8.

Part 8 is different from Part 7.

It does not only test a single fabric layer. It tests an upholstered furniture structure. In practice, the test usually uses the actual fabric and foam to make a small sofa-like test assembly. Then it is tested with ignition sources such as a smoldering cigarette and a small flame.

This is very important.

A fabric may pass a flame test by itself, but that does not mean it is safe when wrapped around foam.

Foam, adhesive, sewing thread, lining, fire barrier, and fabric tension can all change the result.

Some buyers try to use a Part 7 curtain fabric report for marine sofa fabric.

That can easily create problems during vessel approval.

A sofa is a combined product.

For marine seating, it is better to confirm the full structure from the beginning: fabric, foam, lining, fire barrier, and final construction should match the test setup.

Part 9: Marine Bedding

Bedding onboard also has its own fire requirements.

Mattresses, pillows, quilts, mattress protectors, and bedding components may need Part 9.

Part 9 focuses on bedding components and how they react to smoldering and open flame.

This matters because people are slower to react when they are asleep.

Bedding also has larger volume, thicker materials, and higher fire load than a single fabric layer.

A mattress or quilt cannot be judged only by the outer fabric.

Filling material, quilting structure, lining, cover fabric, edging, and inner layers can all affect the test result.

For marine bedding projects, it is safer to test the final product.

A report for the outer fabric alone usually cannot cover the whole bedding system.

Part 7, Part 8, and Part 9 Cannot Replace Each Other

This is one of the most common mistakes in marine soft furnishing projects.

A curtain passing Part 7 does not mean it can be used for sofas.

A sofa passing Part 8 does not mean bedding is automatically approved.

Bedding passing Part 9 does not cover vertically hanging curtains.

The use conditions are different, and the test methods are different.

Curtains are tested as vertical hanging materials.

Sofas are tested as a combination of fabric and foam.

Bedding is tested for sleep-related smoldering and flame risks.

So before sourcing, start with the final use:

• If it hangs, look at Part 7.
• If people sit on it, look at Part 8.
• If people sleep on it, look at Part 9.

This sounds simple, but it can prevent a lot of testing and approval problems.

Can Old MSC.61(67) Reports Still Be Used?

Some older ship documents may mention MSC.61(67), which refers to the older 1996 FTP Code.

That was the previous marine fire testing system. For new projects and replacement materials, requirements are usually checked under MSC.307(88) / 2010 FTP Code.

This is especially important for ship refurbishment.

The original curtains, carpets, or upholstery on an older vessel may have been purchased under old reports. But when materials are replaced during renovation, the old standard may not be accepted anymore.

So do not simply copy the old material list.

Before purchasing, ask the classification society, shipowner, or project consultant which version of the IMO report is required for this replacement.

Building, Rail, and Aviation Standards Cannot Directly Replace IMO

Some suppliers may provide many fire test reports, such as ASTM E84, NFPA 701, BS 5852, EN 45545-2, or FAR 25.853.

These standards are useful in their own fields, but they cannot be used casually to replace IMO marine standards.

A material approved for a hotel, railway, or aircraft project may not pass marine approval.

Marine materials need to follow the relevant Part of the IMO FTP Code.

Common Mistakes When Buying Marine Materials

In marine interior projects, many problems are not caused by poor material quality.

They happen because the document does not match the final use.

One common mistake is treating a fabric report as a finished product report.

For curtains, this may be less of a problem because the structure is often simpler. But sofas, mattresses, and padded products are different. Fabric, foam, adhesive, lining, and fire barrier all affect the final result.

Another mistake is checking only flame spread and ignoring smoke and toxicity.

Ship cabins are enclosed spaces. Smoke and toxic gas risk is very important. A material may pass a flame test but still fail because of smoke or toxicity.

Why Shipowners and Shipyards Should Not Ignore MSC 307

Marine material compliance is not just paperwork.

Ships are inspected by classification societies and port authorities. If curtains, carpets, furniture, or interior materials do not have the right IMO reports, vessel approval may be delayed. In serious cases, it may even affect departure.

Insurance can also be involved.

If a fire happens and the interior materials are found not to meet MSC 307 or 2010 FTP Code requirements, insurance claims may become more difficult.

So for marine curtains, sofas, bedding, and other soft furnishings, buyers should not judge only by whether the material “looks flame-retardant.”

Before purchasing, confirm the report, the relevant Part, sample consistency, and laboratory qualification.

When the documents are clear from the beginning, vessel approval and delivery are much less likely to run into problems.

Begoodtex Marine Flame-Retardant Fabric Solutions

When providing marine flame-retardant fabric solutions, Begoodtex does not simply recommend a single “IMO-certified fabric.” Instead, we first evaluate the specific application to determine the most suitable solution.

For example, curtains, drapes, and decorative hanging fabrics are typically assessed against the requirements of IMO FTP Code Part 7. Upholstered furniture, such as sofas, seating, and wall panels, often requires evaluation of the complete assembly, including the fabric, foam, lining materials, and overall construction. For mattresses, pillows, bedding, and related sleep products, additional requirements such as IMO FTP Code Part 9 may apply.

At the early stage of a project, Begoodtex works closely with customers to confirm the intended application, fabric construction, weight, color, coating, or lamination process. Based on the final product configuration, we recommend the most appropriate testing and certification pathway. This approach helps avoid situations where a fabric passes a standalone test report, but the finished product fails because its construction, end use, or testing requirements differ from those originally evaluated.

For marine vessels, cruise ships, offshore platforms, and other maritime projects, we strongly recommend confirming the applicable standards, sample specifications, and testing strategy during the product development stage. By aligning compliance requirements early, customers can minimize risks and ensure a smoother process for certification, procurement, and mass production.

Final Thoughts

IMO MSC 307 is a key fire safety reference for marine interior materials. Through the 2010 FTP Code, it separates marine curtains, sofas, bedding, wall materials, flooring, and insulation into different test requirements.

When buying marine materials, do not only ask:

“Is it flame-retardant?”

The more important question is:

Where will it be used?

For hanging curtains and drapes, Part 7 is usually relevant.

For sofas, seats, and upholstered furniture, Part 8 is usually relevant.

For mattresses, pillows, quilts, and bedding, Part 9 is usually relevant.

Wall and ceiling materials may involve Part 2 and Part 5.

Insulation base materials may involve Part 1.

Fire reports for buildings, railways, and aviation all have value, but they cannot simply replace IMO reports.

Marine projects need the correct MSC.307(88) / 2010 FTP Code documents.

Choose the right Part, check what product the report actually covers, and make sure the tested sample matches the final product structure.

That is the safer way to avoid problems during vessel approval.

FAQ