Curtains and Flameproofing a Theater

As New Yorkers, attending the theater is something we love to do.  If we’re smart, we’ll take advantage of the many opportunities to see some brilliant shows, right at our doorstep.  It’s one of the many benefits of living in New York City. However, in America’s history, there have been some tragic fires that have taken place in the theater.  The Brooklyn Theater Fire and the Iroquois Theater Fire (Chicago) are just two examples of how a night of theater entertainment could go horribly wrong.  Thankfully, today we have many fire safety mechanisms in place in regards to theater safety.  Today we’ll be discussing what’s involved in flameproofing a theater, specifically theater curtains.

The usual culprits in theater fires are curtains and scenery.  As per FDNY regulations, those items are required to be treated with fire retardants or be inherently non-combustible.  Other objects in addition to curtains and scenery that fall into this category are drapes, carpets, seat cushions, upholstered furniture, decorations, etc.

Theater curtains are probably one of the most important things to have properly flameproofed. There are several ways to go about it.  First, there are curtains available that are already inherently flame resistant. These curtains are made from polyester yarns and already meet the NFPA 701 test standards. These curtains do not require any additional treatment. Time, water exposure, dirt, and dust could, however, impact the flame resistance capacity, and these curtains should be field tested on a regular basis to make sure they’ve retained their flame retardancy.

You can also buy any kind of curtains you want and have them properly flameproofed. In this scenario, the curtains are soaked in or coated with flame repellent chemicals, which sticks to the outside surface of the materials.  This also can be affected by time, water exposure, and dirt, so as well, these should be retested also.

Durably flame-resistant curtains are also available.  These curtains have some flame resistance but not enough to pass the NFPA test.  In this case, the curtains are treated with chemicals that penetrate to the interior of the material fibers, not just the surface. Since this chemical isn’t water-soluble, it better handles washing and water-exposure; however, these materials should be subjected to a yearly field flame test as well.

While there are many aspects to theater safety, such as clearly marked emergency exits, adequate alternate egress, and automatic sprinklers, flameproofing is an important component of fire protection. Specifically, making sure the curtains are properly flameproofed is a critical step in the process. NYC Flameproofing is an industry expert for over 60 years and has been diligently serving the Metro NYC area.  We would love to offer our expertise to keep theaters and other public gathering places protected from fire. If you have need of flameproofing services, please call us today. We’d be happy to discuss your questions and provide a free, no-obligation estimate: 1-(800) 291-0904.