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The U.S. Flammable Fabrics Act is an act that was passed in 1953 to regulate the manufacture of highly flammable clothing. [1] [2] It was enacted after years of rayon viscose fabrics being proven to be the primary cause of quick starting, high temperature fires as well as having the secondary effect of causing illnesses in factory workers. [3]
Fabric flammability is an important textile issue, especially for stage drapery that will be used in a public space such as a school, theatre or special event venue. In the United States, Federal regulations require that drapery fabrics used in such spaces be certified as flame or fire-retardant.
Lightweight textiles with porous surfaces are the most flammable fabrics. [15] Wool is less flammable than cotton, linen, silk, or viscose . [15] [16] Polyester and nylon resist ignition, and melt rather than catch fire. [15] [16] Acrylic is the most flammable synthetic fiber. [15]
Fire-retardant materials are designed to burn slowly.. Fire-retardant materials should not be confused with fire-resistant materials. A fire resistant material is one which is designed to resist burning and withstand heat.
These advantages indicate potential applications of cotton fabrics in protective clothing [17] and human health. However, natural cotton fabric is flammable and will rapidly burn. This drawback limits the use of cotton fabrics. [18] Therefore, treating cotton fabrics to obtain a fire-resistant fabric is important. [19]
Nomex is a trademarked term for an inherently flame-resistant fabric with meta-aramid chemistry widely used for industrial applications and fire protection equipment. It was developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967. [1] The fabric is often combined with Kevlar to increase its resistance for breakage or tear.
This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion. [1] [2] Fire retardants may also cool the fuel through physical action or endothermic chemical reactions. Fire retardants are available as powder, to be mixed with water, as fire-fighting foams and fire-retardant gels.
Between 450 B.C. and the early 20th century, other materials used to reduce the flammability of different materials included mixtures of alum and vinegar; clay and hair; clay and gypsum; alum, ferrous sulfate, and gypsum; and ammonium chloride, ammonium phosphate, borax, and various acids. These early attempts found application in reducing the ...