Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regs 1988 (as amended 89&93)

[Keith Tarbuck]

With regards to the subject matter, Has anybody heard of any pending changes/amendments to these regulations?

Especially in relation to curtains, as at the moment curtains are not included in these regulations.

My reason for posting this question is due to a recent conversation one of our manager's (student accommodation provider) had with a cleaning company tendering for the summer cleaning contract, they stated that by steam cleaning the curtains it would affect their fire resistance propertries? They also stated that curtains have to be treated every 3 years and that new legisaltion was coming out this year? I have never heard of this?

I think this could be a sales pitch?
 
I have carried the normal internet searhes and I can not find anything? but I know there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum.

Comments welcome

Many thanks in advance for any responses

[wee brian]

News to me - I doubt there are any plans to extend the scope of these regs - our freinds in europe dont like them now!

Saying that I've heard a similar claim about a stage curtain - I wonder if a standard (rather than any regs) is being amended.

[kurnal]

Like Wee Brian I am not aware of an proposed changes to the furniture safety legislation. Do you need any help with guidance on the requirement for fire retardant curtains and durability of treatments etc?

I recall that under previous legislation marquees used to have a defined life expectancy for ther flame retardant properties but I think other than that it is really down to the manufacturers of the treatments to provide appropriate guidance, some products being more durable to differnent laundering processes than others.

[Martin]

I don't know of any new standards but I do know it was common practice for schools when they cleaned their large hall curtains to have fire retardant applied/renewed. Cleaning intervals were often over 5 years. Probably (after full suitable and sufficient risk assessment) not  relevant to smaller curtains in student accommodation.

I do recollect some guidance on this from about 10 years ago. Could have been something from London Fire Brigade or possibly a textiles association or similar.

[Midland Retty]

They are quite correct in saying that if curtains or any fabric are steam cleaned they should be retreated with fire retardant sunbstance.

However the 3 yearly interviews are news to me, and I have always accepted that fabric doesn't have to be retreated unless cleaned or have been in situ for a number of years