Drape Flame Retardancy in the UK: IFR, DFR and What Venues Ask For

In this guide:IFR and DFR · Standards · Buying · On the job · Picks · FAQ

Fabric brought into a licensed venue is a fire safety item, and venues, local authorities and exhibition organisers are entitled to ask you to prove it. The awkward part is that the proof lives on a piece of paper that is easy to lose and impossible to recreate after the fact.

This guide covers what the terms mean and what the paperwork should say. Fire risk assessment for a specific venue and event is a matter for the responsible person there.

The two terms that matter

**Inherently flame retardant** means the fibre itself does not readily burn. The property is part of the material, so it survives washing and does not wear off. Wool serge and correctly specified polyester drapes fall into this category, and it is the safe default for anything you will own and reuse for years.

**Durably flame retardant** means a flammable base fabric, typically cotton such as molton, has been treated with a flame retardant finish. It is effective and much cheaper, but the treatment is a coating with a life. Washing, weathering and time all degrade it, and eventually the fabric needs re-treating or retiring.

The practical difference for a hire stock is that IFR fabric can be washed and reissued, while DFR fabric has a service life you need to track.

The standards you will see quoted

Certificates for curtains and drapes commonly reference BS 5867, the British standard covering flammability performance of fabrics for curtains and drapes, and EN 13773, the European classification for the burning behaviour of curtains and drapes.

• BS 5867 sets out test methods and performance requirements, with parts and types covering different applications.
• EN 13773 assigns classes, and a venue may ask for a particular class.
• Some venues and organisers name their own requirement instead, particularly exhibition halls with house rules.

Read the requirement the venue actually states rather than assuming a standard covers it. Asking in advance is much cheaper than being turned away at load-in.

What to ask when buying

• Is it inherently or durably flame retardant?
• To which standard, and which class or type?
• Is a test certificate supplied, and does it identify this batch?
• If it is DFR, what is the expected life of the treatment, and can it be re-treated?
• Can it be washed, and does washing affect the rating?

For hire stock, the certificate should be filed against the asset, not just against the purchase order, so that it can be produced with the item years later.

Practical points at the venue

• Never drape across fire exits, exit signage or emergency lighting.
• Keep escape routes at their full width, including where a drape line narrows a corridor.
• Expect the duty manager to ask, and have the answer ready rather than looking for it.
• If a venue’s requirement is stricter than your stock, hire in fabric that meets it rather than arguing the point on the day.

The rest of the subject, including fullness, heights and fabric choice, is in the pipe and drape guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IFR and DFR?

IFR fabric is made from fibres that do not readily burn, so the property is permanent. DFR fabric is a flammable base treated with a finish, which is effective but wears off over time and with washing.

Do my drapes legally have to be flame retardant?

For licensed venues, exhibition halls and most professional work in the UK, treat it as a requirement. The venue’s responsible person sets the standard, and they are entitled to refuse fabric that cannot be evidenced.

How long does a DFR treatment last?

It depends on the treatment, the fabric and how it is stored and cleaned. Manufacturers state an expected life, and re-treatment is available. This is the main reason IFR is preferred for long-term stock.

Can I re-treat fabric myself?

Proprietary treatments exist, but a treatment applied without a test certificate is difficult to evidence to a venue. For anything going into licensed premises, use a certified service or buy IFR fabric.