How to Choose Flame-Retardant Curtains for Commercial Projects

For those of you involved in curtain projects for hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, theaters, and schools, do you often encounter the following questions?

• How should I choose curtains? Should I use standard fabrics or flame-retardant fabrics?
• What type of flame-retardant fabric process should be used for different commercial projects?
• How can I control costs and purchase cost-effective curtain materials based on project needs?
• What standards should the selected curtains meet, and what are the flame-retardant standards in different countries?
• How do I choose a flame-retardant curtain supplier?

If so, please be sure to read this article carefully. The different processes and standards for curtains will directly impact your project costs—potentially increasing the price by just a few yuan per meter, or by more than ten or even dozens of yuan per meter. Furthermore, selecting a reliable flame-retardant curtain fabric supplier will directly affect your success in winning bids, your project timeline, and the final inspection and acceptance. It also relates to the safety guarantees and maintenance costs during the period of use.

Therefore, we will provide a comprehensive analysis on how to choose flame-retardant curtains, covering multiple dimensions such as flame-retardant standards, fabric processes, project suitability, and manufacturer support.

I. Correctly Understanding Flame-Retardant Curtains

Many people mistakenly believe that “flame retardant” means “cannot be burned.” This is a misunderstanding.

True flame retardancy means that the fabric can quickly self-extinguish after contact with a flame, preventing it from continuing to burn or fueling the fire, thus reducing the risk of fire spreading.

Flame-retardant curtains are not “non-combustible,” but rather they can self-extinguish quickly upon contact with a fire source to prevent the fire from spreading. The real effect of flame retardancy is to reduce the threat to the environment after a fire occurs, not to be completely fireproof. Through special materials and processing techniques, they ensure a reduced risk of fire spreading in the event of a fire and are commonly used in public places such as hotels and hospitals.

Therefore, in public places like hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, theaters, and schools, it is very necessary to select and use flame-retardant curtains that comply with relevant standards.

II. Common Global Flame-Retardant Standards

Different regions around the world have varying requirements for the flame-retardant performance of curtains (curtain fabrics), primarily reflected in their own promulgated flame-retardant standards and testing methods.

For example, the German DIN 4102 B1 standard, where the B1 level represents “flame-resistant materials,” is widely used for architectural decorative materials like curtain fabrics. The core requirement of the B1 standard is that the material can self-extinguish quickly when burning, limiting the spread of flames and reducing fire risk. This standard uses a vertical burn test method to determine the material’s flame-retardant performance by controlling the burn length and time.

The requirements for passing DIN 4102 B1 are:

• The char length shall not exceed 15 cm after exposure to flame.
• The burning time (including afterflame time) shall not exceed 45 seconds.
• The flame must self-extinguish within 10 seconds after the source is removed.
• There should be no flaming droplets.
• There should be no continuous burning during the process.
• The material should exhibit properties of being difficult to ignite and self-extinguishing to ensure safety.

For flame-retardant standards for curtains in major global regions for commercial projects, you can refer to the table below, which covers key markets such as Europe, America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.

Summary Table of Curtain Flame-Retardant Standards in Major Countries and Regions

Region/Country	Standard Name	Grade Example	Wash Durability Required	Common Venues
🇺🇸 USA	NFPA 701	Pass/Fail	Yes	Hotels, Theaters, Schools
🇩🇪 Germany	DIN 4102	B1 / B2	No (single test)	Exhibition Halls, Office Buildings, Trade Fairs
🇬🇧 UK	BS 5867 Part 2 B/C	Type B / C	Yes	Hospitals, Hotels, Schools
🇫🇷 France	NF P92 M Class	M1 / M2	No	Public Venues, Government Buildings
🇨🇳 China	GB 8624 / GB/T 5455	B1 / B2	No (optional)	Public Buildings, Schools
🇯🇵 Japan	JIS L 1091	Flameproof Class 1	Yes	Medical Institutions, Cinemas
🇦🇺 Australia	AS/NZS 1530	–	Yes	All Commercial/Public Venues

III. Two Types of Flame-Retardant Curtain Processes: Inherent FR Fiber vs. Post-Treatment FR Finish

When choosing flame-retardant curtains, the key lies in the flame-retardant process used. Currently, there are two main methods on the market:

1.Inherent FR Fiber (Permanent Flame Retardant)

This is achieved by spinning yarn from FR chips that have a flame-retardant agent added. This process incorporates flame-retardant properties during fiber production and has the following characteristics:

• ✅ The fiber is inherently flame-retardant from its core and self-extinguishes when removed from a flame.
• ✅It can be washed repeatedly without diminishing its flame-retardant performance.
• ✅ It can meet high-level flame-retardant standards like M1 and B1 over the long term.

Disadvantages:

• High cost, with prices potentially being several times higher per meter than standard fabrics.
• Fewer patterns and varieties available, limiting design choices.

👉 Suitable for venues with ample budgets and high standards, such as hospitals, Class A office buildings, and public transportation.

2.Post-Treatment FR Finish (Main Choice for Conventional Projects)

A post-treatment FR finish refers to applying a flame-retardant agent to the fabric through a coating or dipping process after it has been woven, followed by high-temperature setting to achieve a flame-retardant effect.

Advantages:

• ✅ Relatively low cost.
• ✅ Any pattern can be treated, making it highly adaptable.

Disadvantages:

• ❗ Available as both disposable and durable treatments; the effect diminishes with the number of washes.
• ❗ Even if labeled “wash-durable for 50 cycles,” it is difficult to maintain a B1 level of performance long-term in practice.

👉 Suitable for venues with low washing frequency such as guesthouses, hotels, and B&Bs. It is the mainstream choice for current commercial projects.

IV. How to Select Flame-Retardant Curtains Based on Project Requirements?

When choosing flame-retardant curtains, you should consider a combination of factors such as budget, usage environment, washing frequency, and acceptance standards:

Project Type	Recommended FR Method	Reason
Hotels/Guesthouses/B&Bs	Post-Treatment FR Finish	Controllable costs, flexible patterns, suitable for projects.
High-End Office Buildings/Hospitals	Inherent FR Fiber	High standards, requires long-term flame-retardant performance.
Venues Requiring Frequent Washing	Inherent FR Fiber	Retains flame-retardant effect after multiple washes.

V.Selecting Curtains Based on Additional Functions

In addition to basic flame-retardant properties, curtains in practical applications often need to have multiple additional functions to meet different environmental and usage needs.

Common additional functions include blackout, anti-ultraviolet (anti-UV), anti-bacterial, and anti-static. For example:

• Hotels and B&Bs often require high-performance blackout curtains, including 100% blackout FR-coated fabrics and 90% blackout fabrics, to ensure guest privacy and sleep quality.
• Medical institutions place more emphasis on anti-bacterial functions, requiring FR anti-bacterial curtain materials that reduce bacterial growth.
• In outdoor or intensely sunny areas, effective anti-UV properties are needed to protect indoor furniture and occupants from ultraviolet damage with anti-UV fabrics.
• In dry environments or places with a lot of electronic equipment, anti-static curtain fabrics can reduce dust adhesion and static interference.

When selecting curtains, these functions should be configured based on the specific needs and environment of the project. This not only enhances the comfort and lifespan of the curtains but also adds value to the commercial project.

VI. Why Partnering with a Reliable Manufacturer is Crucial

Many bidding projects have clear requirements for the flame-retardant performance, wash durability, and warranty period of curtain fabrics. In such cases, choosing a manufacturer that offers professional support, complete certifications, and after-sales guarantees is particularly important.

As a factory, we do not participate in bidding, but we provide our distributors with:

• 📄 Test Reports + Tender Document Interpretation Support
• 🔧 Fabric Selection Advice + Letters of Authorization
• 🔁 Technical Support to ensure your project proceeds without worry.

Our distributor partners can confidently purchase our products and win customer trust with professional service.

VII. Conclusion: The Best Fabric is The One that Suits You Best.

Flame-retardant standards, material selection, cost control, project acceptance… every step determines whether your project can be delivered smoothly. Curtains may seem small, but the details behind them are significant.

Remember: Not all flame-retardant curtains are the same, and the most expensive one is not always the most suitable.

✅ Understand the standards, ✅ master the processes, and ✅ find the right manufacturer to control every detail and help you win commercial project orders with ease.