Everything You Need to Know About Flame Retardant Fabric

Published 26th January 2026

Fire safety is much more than just a statutory obligation in healthcare and hospitality; it’s part of your duty of care to the people who use your facilities. Fire safety is essential for protecting your business too, as well as protecting your people. 

That’s why you should never compromise where fire risks are concerned. Here at Redwood, we offer a comprehensive range of fire resistant and flame retardant fabrics, covering a range of uses, from hospitals to hotels, and a range of statutory regulations, from BS7177 to Crib 5.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you can protect against the risk of fire by selecting the appropriate textiles, how these textiles are made, how they work and why Redwood should be your first choice supplier for flame retardant fabrics. 

What Are Flame Retardant Fabrics?

It’s important to understand the difference between flame resistant fabrics and flame retardant fabrics, although both can serve their purpose in protecting your people and premises.

• Flame resistant fabrics:

  • have a natural resistance to combustion due to the nature of the fabric 

  • flame resistance is a permanent property of the fabric and will not deteriorate over time

  • tend not to be as comfortable for users

  • used in high risk environments, such as firefighting and industrial applications 

• Flame retardant fabrics:

  • are treated with chemicals to resist combustion

  • flame retardance may deteriorate over time with washing and wear

  • more comfortable for users 

  • used in hospitals, care homes and hospitality settings, including student halls and hostels.

Essential Fire Safety Standards: BS 7177 and Crib 5

There are two main standards which apply to the flame retardant fabrics used in mattresses and other bedding, and compliance is mandatory. These are:

• BS7177 – the British Standard which specifies the requirements for ignition resistance.

• Crib 5 – the industry standard test for flame retardant fabrics used in commercial settings like hotels, hospitals and schools. This incorporates BS7176 and (BS 5852, Ignition Source 5), and is a legal requirement to comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998.

However, as discussed above, fire safety is about much more than mere compliance; it’s about protecting patients and guests, and could even save lives. Redwood are here to help you create the safest possible environment, with a range of cutting-edge flame retardant fabrics for your bedding.

How do flame retardant fabrics work?

There are a number of different ways that flame retardant fabrics interrupt the fire cycle and slow the progress of a fire. The exact method will depend on the fabric and the way it has been treated, but the main processes include:

• Release of flame-damping gases – to dilute flammable gases around the flame

• Charring or melting – to form a protective layer for the fabric below

• Absorbing heat – to prevent ignition of the fabric

• Blocking oxygen – the essential fuel needed to sustain a flame

It’s important to note that, as the name suggests, fire retardant fabrics will only retard or slow down fire. Such fabrics are not fully fireproof. However, by igniting far more slowly than untreated fabrics, they will usually buy enough time for you to either extinguish a fire or to safely evacuate an area before a fire gets out of control. 

Why Choose Redwood TTM for Technical Textiles?

Redwood has been operating as an expert technical textile manufacturers for more than 30 years and has become a national and international market leader. In that time, we’ve built up extensive knowledge of flame retardant fabrics, but we’re not resting on our laurels. 

The Redwood technical team are constantly researching and developing innovative new safety solutions, including new chemical coatings and new application methods, to help make healthcare and hospitality safer than ever before.

And because Redwood is the technical textile experts, it means that you don’t have to be. Our friendly design and development team will work with you to establish your priorities, identify the risks in your environment and explain your statutory obligations when it comes to fire safety. We’ll then recommend the best solution to meet your needs, your budget and your goals, and show how easily and affordably we can deliver it.

Find flame retardant fabrics today

To see how easy it is to protect your people, your premises and your business, with state of the art flame retardant fabrics, contact the technical textile experts at Redwood today. Because when it comes to fire safety, you can’t settle for second best.

Frequently Asked Questions