Copyright © 2020. Although fire protection throughout a school is mandatory, these three areas are particularly excellent choices for fire retardant curtains as they are high-risk zones, due to either high foot traffic or because of the previously mentioned chimney effect with smoke. Considering cost, practicality, and overall effectiveness in both school occupant protection as well as fire and smoke control, fire retardant curtains can be an ideal solution for any school's fire safety program. As of Jan. 1, 2015, all newly manufactured Crate and Barrel couches contain no chemical flame retardants. Schools are often the subject of the fire marshal's scrutiny, and that's a good thing. Compared to the costs of a serious remodel for fire-rated boxes, fire curtains are far more affordable. Ethan Allen is one of a growing number of furniture companies whose websites state that their products are made without added flame retardant chemicals. In the event of an emergency situation where power is lost, curtains will still fall thanks to backup battery power. Curtains deploy as soon as smoke sensors are triggered, enabling immediate protection of students and staff, without the chance of human error for releasing the curtains in a time manually. Here's what Life Code 101 has to say about it: BanFire lets your school continue to be a fun and creative space - just spray the objects that need to be treated. These curtains can easily be hidden when not in use, which helps to maintain the aesthetic value of the building design. All products are labeled according to California’s flame retardant law. The Benefits Of Fire Retardant Curtains In Schools. This kind of curtain eliminates the need to alter the building design and saves building owners an incredible amount of space for their floor plan. Just call Doug at Smoke-rated curtains with a magnetic gasket can be used instead, to stop smoke from seeping through elevator doors, while still being compliant with IBC. Many consumers are likely unaware that flame retardant chemicals (FRs) have been used for decades in the production of upholstered furniture and other products to achieve fire protection. The furniture is available exclusively through the company’s online store. As evidence of the dangers of flame retardants mount, we hope that even more flame retardant-free couches will be available soon. Studies have shown, however, that there are human health risks associated with exposure to flame retardants. Though fire curtains can be placed in a number of different ways, there are a few areas within a school that are perfect candidates for durable fire retardant curtains. The curtains do a better job of containing smoke too. But often they will notice decorations that have been in place for years that need to be treated with a fire retardant. International Building Code (IBC) requires architects to isolate each floor from the elevator shaft, but the typical method isn’t ideal. All Rights Reserved. Even the pictures on the walls need to be taken into consideration. One of the nation’s largest furniture retailers, Ashley Furniture announced that it would stop adding fire retardant chemicals to products made in 2015 or after. An elevator shaft essentially acts as a chimney in the event of a fire, quickly moving smoke upwards throughout the building. One quart will treat up to 100 square feet of fabric. If you purchased your sofa before 2015, there’s a good chance the manufacturer treated the cushion foam with toxic flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Privacy Policy | The use of fire curtains means schools can easily create a safe boundary within a large, open room such as a cafeteria that will guide occupants safely out of the building without exposure to fire, smoke, or heat. of Couches Without Toxic Flame Retardants. Contact Us | The company’s website says that it stopped using chemical flame retardants in its furniture. The school will have less downtime while curtains are being placed and expensive remodels aren't a concern. The overall openness of an atrium, especially if it is a multi-story building, makes it an ideal spot for a fire retardant curtain system. Legal Disclaimer | BanFire has no odor, so it may be applied right on site. You can easily choose from a variety of different grades of curtains, depending on how much protection is needed or whether smoke or fire (or both) protection are required. Copyright © 2007-2020, EWG. EWG.org | EWG's Guide to Sunscreens | EWG's Food Scores | EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning | EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, Environmental Working Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600. Though fire curtains can be placed in a number of different ways, there are a few areas within a school that are perfect candidates for durable fire retardant curtains. Flame retardants are widely used in furniture, transportation, homes, and offices to decrease the risk. 1. They all have to be treated. A public relations representative in IKEA’s U.S. corporate office said that the company complies with the California law and has been manufacturing products under the new requirements since December 2014. More information on its chemical-free fire safety can be found on page 35 of the IKEA Group FY15 Sustainability Report. All products are labeled according to California’s flame retardant … Many schools will purchase BanFire by the case, and keep a quart in each classroom, or in each janitorial supply closet. or send an email. But often they will notice decorations that have been in place for years that need to be treated with a fire retardant. If you don’t see a label, you need to ask the manufacturer whether flame retardant chemicals are in the upholstered product. That same year, California changed its furniture flammability standards, making it easier for companies to meet the regulations without having to use harmful flame-retardant … Atrium Separation A school's … This market shift means that families and individuals shopping for a new couch can now choose from hundreds of flame retardant-free options. They are an invaluable option for schools due to their easy installation. Rather than containing the smoke within a couple hundred square feet, the rolling magnetic gasketing system contains the smoke right in front of the elevator door opening. Its website claims that its products were manufactured without toxic byproducts, including flame retardants, PBDEs, plasticizers, phthalates, persistent organic pollutants and polyvinyl chloride. For more information on where you can find fire retardant-free furniture, check out these links: Donate $10 or more to help EWG expand its work protecting children’s health and get a free electronic copy of our Guide to Safe Drinking Water! In 2014, a list of corporate and government furniture buyers pledged only to buy furniture with no chemical flame retardants. The traditional means of elevator fire protection is the addition of a self-contained fire-rated box that surrounds the elevator, in its own enclosed elevator lobby. A 2016 survey by the Center for Environmental Health, conducted in collaboration with the American Home Furnishings Alliance and the Sustainable Furnishing Council, determined that 43 companies representing 65 brands are now making fire retardant-free furniture. Schools and Fire Retardant. And the momentum to keep these chemicals out of furniture continues as similar legislation in other states has been passed or introduced.

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