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How can you tell if a fabric is "flame resistant"?

You cannot judge whether a fabric is flame resistant or flame retardant by looking at it, so you must look for a label. If there is no label claiming flame resistance, you must assume the textile will burn rapidly.

Be sure you understand the terms used on clothing labels and other products.

If it says:  It means:
  • Flammable
  • Inflammable
  • Combustible
These textiles will burn readily.
  • Fireproof
  • Non-combustible
  • Non-flammable
These textiles will not burn.
  • Fire resistant
  • Fire retardant
  • Flame resistant
  • Flame retardant
These textiles will be slow to ignite, may burn more slowly, may self extinguish when the heat source is removed.

 

From Facts About Fabric Flammability, North Central Region Extension Publication 174, Revised July 2003. www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/cl.htm

Submitted by Sharon Stevens, HES Extension, College of Human Environmental Sciences,
University of Missouri-Columbia