• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Made in the U.S.A. | Shipping included for all online orders within the contiguous U.S. See Details
Order By Phone: (833) 261-6501
Americover logo

Americover | Plastic Sheeting Supplier for Construction and Horticulture

Protection from the Ground Up

(833) 261-6501 : Order By Phone M-F, 7am-4:30pm (PST) | Distributors | My Account | 0 Items
Log In Cart
  • Products
    • Shop by Application
    • GROWS
    • Agriculture
    • Greenhouse
    • Landscape and Hardscape
    • Water Retention Liner
    • Livestock Curtains and Barriers
    • BUILDS
    • Surface Protection
    • Containment
    • Vapor Barriers
    • Liners and Covers
    • Safety
    • Drainage
    • Recreational Events
    • Shop by Product
    • Greenhouse Plastic Sheeting
    • Reinforced Plastic Sheeting
    • Self-Adhesive Plastic Film
    • Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting
    • Antistatic Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting
    • Heavy Duty Liners
    • Tapes & Accessories
    • Heat Shrink Wrap
    • Vapor Retarders
    • Non-Reinforced Poly Sheeting
    • VIEW ALL PRODUCTS
  • About
    • About Americover
    • Who We Serve
      • For Builders
      • For Growers
      • For Distributors
    • Meet the Team
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Quote
What are the Industry Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic?

What are the Industry Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic?

What are the Industry Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic?

During commercial construction, building sites frequently require the use of fire retardant plastic sheeting to comply with government regulations. This is especially the case in healthcare and other public facilities. For this reason, fire retardant certifications are needed. Industry standards for fire retardant plastic sheeting can be complicated, but it’s a process that is necessary to understand. These building regulations are of the utmost importance when it comes to ensuring safety on the work site.

How is Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting Created? 

Polyethylene alone can become a highly combustible polymer, therefore the need to make this plastic fire-resistant is of the utmost importance.  Fire retardant plastic sheeting is made with an additive that is put into the resin during manufacturing.

NFPA 701 Industry Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) “creates and maintains private, copyrighted, standards and codes for usage and adoption by local governments”.  These standard codes are annually compiled and adopted by local jurisdictions. NFPA 701 is the most standard method of fire tests for flame propagation of textiles and films.  This test has two test methods based on fabric density.

NFPA 701 test method 1 is a small-scale test that addresses materials with an areal density less than or equal to 21 oz/yd2.  Some example materials are single-layer fabrics, multilayer curtains and drapery fastened together by sewing or other means, in addition to table skirts, table linens, display booth separators and textile wall hangings.  Test method 1 uses 10 samples.

NFPA 701 test method 2 is a large-scale test that addresses fabrics with an areal density weighing more than 21 oz/yd2. This test is for permanent enclosures for buildings under construction. They are tested with a much larger sample than test method 1 because of how hard it is to predict how a heavier fabric will react when exposed to fire.

NFPA 701 testing measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The flame, char length, and flaming residue are recorded.

The fabric will pass the test if all samples meet the following criteria:

  • An after flame of less than 2.0 seconds
  • A char length of less than 6.5”
  • The specimen does not continue to flame after reaching the floor of the test chamber

Fabric certified as flame retardant is certified to have been tested and passed the NFPA 701 test.

ASTM E-84 Industry Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting

The American Society for Testing Materials, or ASTM, also has created a set of standardized tests to determine a product’s flammability. Though the ASTM has no role in requiring or enforcing compliance with its standards, they may become mandatory when referenced by an external contract, corporation, or government.

The performance criteria for this test are surface flame spread and the amount of smoke developed or emitted from the material when exposed to a flame source. The rate and distance the flame spreads between two reference points is based on a flame spread index. The amount of smoke developed is also based on an arbitrary index or scale. Unlike NFPA 701, this is not a pass/fail test. Performance is based on a class rating.

 

Classification Smoke  Flame Spread Index Development Class
Class A 0-25 0-450
Class B 26-75 0-450
Class C 76-200 0-450

 

 

Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors

Americover is the smart source for polyethylene sheeting and protective films. Trusted by contractors and distributors across construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation. 

As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or email us at inquiries@americover.com.

Primary Sidebar

Search Blog Posts


Categories

  • Americover BUILDS
    • Anti-Static Poly
    • Containment Liners
    • Crawlspace
    • Disaster Preparedness
    • Dust Containment
    • Fire Retardant
    • Floor Covering
    • Glass Containment
    • Green Building
    • Home Improvement
    • Radiant Barriers
    • Regulations and Safety
    • Renovation
    • Root Barriers
    • Surface Protection
    • Trade Shows
    • Vapor Barriers
  • Americover DIY
    • Halloween Haunted House
    • Heat Shrink Wrap
    • Helpful Tips
    • Ice Rink
    • Special Events
    • Water Slide and Summer Creations
  • Americover GROWS
    • Aquaponics
    • Greenhouse Covers
    • Harvest Tips
    • Hydroponics
    • Light Deprivation
    • Marijuana Growers
  • Americover News
  • Product in Action
  • Uncategorized
  • Video Library

Subscribe to News and Updates

Register to receive product updates, special offers, and industry news!

SUBSCRIBE

833.261.6501
inquiries@americover.com
Submit Contact Form

Request a Pricing Quote

Simply fill out the form below and a team member will get back to you shortly to discuss your Volume Pricing quote.

Footer

About Us

Americover is a premier supplier of plastic sheeting and polyethylene solutions serving businesses and consumers across the construction, horticulture and agriculture industries.

Contact Us

833.261.6501
Send us an email
Submit Contact Form

Order Support

  • My Account
  • Request a Catalog
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Warranty Coverage
  • FAQs
  • Conversion Calculators
  • Contactenos (Español)

News and Updates

Blog

Subscribe to receive product updates, special offers, and industry news!

Subscribe Now

Copyright © 2023. Americover, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Headquarters: 2067 Wineridge Place, Ste F, Escondido, CA 92029