Did you know that flameproofing is really a two-part process? You’re probably aware of the fact that flameproofing involves a flameproofing company coming to your business site to treat fabrics, textiles and other required decorative items with fire retardants. But did you know that’s just Part 1? The second part of this process is the field flame test. This is when your treated items are actually tested for flame resistance. Today we’ll talk about what’s involved in the second half of the flameproofing process.
So it makes sense that after an item is flameproofed, that it’s also tested to make sure it’s actually fire resistant, right? The only way to know if the process worked is to perform a test. Otherwise, you probably wasted precious money and time. There are a few things that you want to know about the field flame test.
The company you hired to do the flameproofing treatment is the one to do the field flame test, also. If you can be present during the test, that’s even better for you. The company must be a C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder; that means it’s authorized by the FDNY to perform both the flameproofing as well as the field test. If these procedures are done by someone not authorized, they won’t be able to issue you the affidavit you need, so you definitely want to be sure of their credentials. Additionally, they might actually do more harm than good if they haven’t been trained properly.
The field flame test isn’t complicated, but here’s what you should be on the lookout for:
The testers should take a 1.5" x 4” sample for testing purposes. Testing the entire piece is not required or recommended.
Second, the test should be performed outside if possible, in a location that is protected from drafts and winds. As a safety precaution, a fire extinguisher needs to be within 10 feet of the test location.
Next, with tongs, the sample material should be held up vertically. With a basic wooden kitchen match, the tester should ignite the sample at the bottom center edge. For 12 seconds, the match should be touching the object being tested before it’s removed.
If the item is properly flameproofed, the flame moves very slowly over the sample surface area. There’s a 2 second time limit for the tested material to stop burning once the tester has removed the match and it’s no longer touching. In addition, the burning material will stay intact - it won’t drip or break off in pieces if it is legitimately flameproofed.
While typically the flameproofers perform the field flame test, they aren’t the only ones who are able to. Actually, an official from the FDNY is authorized to come at any time to do a field flame test. If this should happen and something doesn’t pass, the item is then taken down, removed from the site and must have further flameproofing treatments (and of course, the following field flame test). A new affidavit can only be issued after the item in question has been re-treated and re-tested (and pass, of course). Then, the new affidavit has to be filed with the FDNY.
The field flame test isn’t an enormous project, but it does need to be done - and done correctly. Anything less will only result in a headache for you - and an unsafe environment for anyone who is on your property.
Brooklyn Flameproofing is a valid C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder, and we can perform both the flameproofing treatments as well as the field flame tests. If you have questions about the process, tests, affidavits or anything else related to flameproofing, call us today. We’d be happy to answer any questions as well as give you a free, no-obligation estimate: 1-800-401-5415.