Best Practices for Flameproofing

The term ‘best practice’ is an important concept in any occupation or field. It refers to the best tried-and-true methods of instruction, application, or system.  In the field of flameproofing, there are industry best practices as well.  For you, as a business owner, these best practices are probably not in your wheelhouse since your business is not in flameproofing.  However, we are in the business of flameproofing, and we are up to date on the best practices.

So what are these best practices? Well, these guidelines are not generated from us, but actually, the FDNY describes what you, as a business owner, should be looking for in a quality fireproofing procedure and in a quality fireproofing outfit.  Below, these best practices are listed for your guidance:

1. Any item that has been treated with flame repellents should be given 24 hours for it to fully dry and be tested for non-combustibility.  If this amount of time is not given, the result could be skewed.
2. Any item that is classified as inherently flame-resistant or if it has been treated with fire retardants should actually be tested to ensure flame resistance. As per the FDNY, you as a business owner should be present to witness the C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder (the fireproofing outfit) test these items.  This ensures that everything is up to par when the fire inspector comes to test the materials.
3. A quality flameproofing company with a valid C-15 Certificate of Fitness will make it their business to stay up-to-date with the latest practices by frequently visiting the FDNY website.  This site holds a wealth of information for flameproofing companies, and this helps them provide their customers with the most recent regulations, following the most current practices.
4. Once items have been treated with fire retardants, the flameproofing company should instruct the business owner in how to care for these materials. In the event of washing, dry-cleaning, etc, the treated items may need to be treated again, as certain kinds of washing or handling can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. This is also a requirement for a valid affidavit.
5. It’s important that certain cautions are given to the business owner regarding the scope of treatment.  Just because an item is inherently non-combustible or has been treated with fire retardants, it still can ignite.  The effectiveness of treatment is that the flame-resistant items will not contribute to the spread of the fire, and they will burn much slower, which leaves adequate time for anyone who is in the building to exit in a timely manner and for the fire to be put out.

As you look through these best practices, it’s pretty obvious that most of them apply to us, as a C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder. We are here to assure you that we follow these FDNY guidelines to the letter and will give you a quality, expert, affordable flameproofing experience. We publish these standards so business owners know what to expect and what we offer, providing accountability on all fronts. NYC Flameproofing has been serving the Metro New York area for over 60 years, and we would love to add you to our list of satisfied clients.  Please call today so we can discuss your flameproofing needs: (800) 291-0904.

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