NFPA 701 Certified Fabric Requirements

NFPA 701 is a fire-testing standard: a material must be tested under the appropriate method and backed by documentation before it can be marketed as compliant.

Testing evaluates specific characteristics of a material's response to flame. Depending on the test method, that can include factors such as mass loss, afterflame, and the behavior of flaming portions that fall from the specimen.

Seeing "flame retardant" or "fire resistant" on a fabric specification only confirms that some treatment or testing occurred. Confirming which standard was used, which test method was performed, and whether the material you're purchasing was the one actually tested takes documentation.

When reviewing documentation, look for information that clearly identifies the fabric and the test method used. Depending on the project, customer, or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), you may also need additional laboratory or certification documentation.

California projects may be subject to additional requirements under Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations. The California Office of the State Fire Marshal's Flame Retardant Chemicals and Fabrics program provides information about approved materials, testing laboratories, and registration requirements. California specifically regulates flame-retardant materials used in certain public occupancies, including schools and places of assembly. 

When a customer requires NFPA 701 compliance, our team at Carolina CoverTech sources materials from qualified suppliers and obtains the suppliers' flame-resistance certifications. We then have a third-party testing lab independently validate that certification. We conduct periodic supplier audits to ensure standards are maintained over time.

Another consideration is whether the material's flame-resistant properties are inherent or the result of a treatment.

Some fabrics are manufactured using fibers designed to provide flame resistance as an inherent material property. Others receive a flame-retardant treatment. Cleaning, laundering, weather exposure, and normal use can affect certain treated materials, so follow the manufacturer's care instructions and review the documentation for the specific fabric.



Rather than assuming every NFPA 701 test or certificate has the same expiration period, check the manufacturer's documentation and any requirements in the project specifications or from the AHJ.

NFPA 701 is a pass/fail test, but "pass" means something different in each method.

Test Method 1 (fabrics 700 g/m² / 21 oz/yd² or lighter)

The lab cuts ten specimens, each 150 × 400 mm (about 6 × 16 inches), and holds a gas flame to the bottom edge of each one for 45 seconds. The sample passes when:

• Average mass loss is 40% or less. The lab weighs each specimen before and after burning. If the ten specimens lose more than 40% of their weight on average, the sample fails.
• Flaming drips go out quickly. Pieces that fall to the floor of the test chamber can't keep burning for more than an average of 2 seconds per specimen.
• No specimen is far outside the norm. If one specimen loses much more weight than the others (more than three standard deviations above the average), the lab tests a second set. If the second set also has an outlier, the sample fails.

Test Method 2 (heavier fabrics, multilayer materials, films, vinyl-coated blackout linings)

The specimens are much larger, and the flame is bigger (280 mm / 11 inches tall) and burns longer (2 minutes). The lab tests either four folded specimens (610 × 1,200 mm each) or ten flat strips (125 × 1,200 mm each). The sample passes when:



• Afterflame is 2 seconds or less. The specimen stops burning within 2 seconds of the burner being removed.
• Flaming drips go out within 2 seconds.
• Char length stays within limits: no more than 1,050 mm (about 41 inches) for folded specimens, or 435 mm (about 17 inches) for flat specimens.
  

Another standard that sometimes gets confused with NFPA 701 is NFPA 705, the Recommended Practice for a Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films.



A field flame test and laboratory testing under NFPA 701 measure different things under different conditions. If a project specifically requires NFPA 701 documentation, confirm that the documentation supplied actually satisfies that requirement.

NFPA 701 primarily addresses textiles and films used in hanging or suspended configurations.

Depending on the applicable code and project requirements, materials can include:

• Draperies and curtains
• Blackout shades
• Stage curtains and backdrops
• Certain decorative fabrics
• Tents and membrane structures
• Awnings
• Tarps
• Banners
• Certain films and similar materials

Not every fabric product in a commercial building falls under NFPA 701. For example, upholstered furniture, flooring, and textiles permanently installed as wall or ceiling finishes can be subject to different fire-performance requirements.

That's where ASTM E84 sometimes enters the conversation.

ASTM E84 – Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials evaluates the comparative surface-burning behavior of building materials. ASTM describes it as applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings, and it reports flame-spread and smoke-developed indices. 

NFPA 701 and ASTM E84 test different things, for different applications. A simple way to think about the distinction is:

Hanging or suspended textile: NFPA 701 may apply.
Material installed as an interior wall or ceiling finish: ASTM E84 or another applicable interior-finish test may apply.

The actual requirement ultimately depends on the material, how it will be installed, the applicable building or fire code, project specifications, and the AHJ.

Whether NFPA 701 applies to a given fabric depends on the building code, fire code, project specification, or authority having jurisdiction governing that installation.

NFPA 701 may be referenced for certain curtains, draperies, decorations, and other textiles and films where the applicable fire or life-safety code requires flame-propagation performance.

Other applications—including tents, membrane structures, stage materials and decorative materials—may be addressed through other applicable building and fire-code provisions.

Because code editions and enforcement can vary by jurisdiction, one of the best things you can do at the beginning of a project is find out exactly which standard, code edition, and documentation the GC, architect, or fire marshal expects to see. That small step can prevent a lot of back-and-forth later.

If NFPA 701 is required for your project, don't rely solely on a line in a product description saying the fabric "meets fire codes." Ask for the supporting documentation.

Depending on the material and project requirements, useful documentation can identify:

• The specific fabric or material tested
• The applicable NFPA 701 test method
• The testing laboratory
• The test results
• The date of testing
• Relevant product, style, construction or identifying information
• 
  

If the material receives a flame-retardant treatment rather than having inherent flame-resistant properties, also review the manufacturer's information regarding cleaning, retreatment, weather exposure, and continued performance.

If the project has specific documentation requirements, verify them with the architect, GC, fire marshal, or other AHJ before ordering.

That's much easier than discovering at the end of a project that the paperwork you received isn't what the reviewer needs.

Is NFPA 701 the same as fireproof?

No. NFPA 701 evaluates flame propagation of textiles and films under specific test conditions.

Passing NFPA 701 confirms the fabric met the flame-propagation criteria of a specific test method under specific test conditions — a measured result, not a blanket guarantee against burning. Treat "NFPA 701 compliant" as a specific certification, distinct from "fireproof."

Is CPAI-84 the same as NFPA 701?

No. Both are flammability standards, and many tent and canopy fabrics are tested to both. They use different test methods, though, and one doesn't substitute for the other.

Does NFPA 701 certification expire?

Expiration depends on the material and how it's used.

The answer can depend on the material, whether its flame resistance is inherent or comes from a treatment, its exposure and cleaning history, manufacturer requirements, project specifications, and local requirements.

For treated materials especially, review the manufacturer's documentation for care, cleaning, retreatment or retesting requirements.

Who can provide NFPA 701 documentation?

Documentation should trace back to testing of the applicable material under NFPA 701. When you're evaluating a fabric, ask your supplier for supporting test documentation rather than relying solely on a general statement that the product is "flame retardant."

If your project has specific requirements for the laboratory, certificate or report, confirm those requirements with the AHJ or project team.

Does every fabric on a project need NFPA 701?

No. NFPA 701 applies to textiles and films in applications covered by the applicable code, including certain hanging or suspended materials. Other applications can require different fire-testing standards.

The safest approach is to confirm the requirement with the GC, architect, fire marshal, or other AHJ rather than assuming NFPA 701 applies to every fabric used on the project.