TDs and scenic artists are always working hard to stretch scenery budgets as far as they will go. Some of us are probably working harder at that now than ever before. Since soft scenery, painted drops and natural materials can be a pretty cost effective way of constructing and decorating scenic elements, I thought it might be a good time to go over some of the testing procedures we recommend for making sure that our sets are safely treated with an effective and approved flame retardant.
It’s important to remember that it’s not enough to treat the set with a good product—you have to test what you’ve done to make sure it works right. We sell some outstanding products that can help you make sure your sets are safe for public performances. Rosco makes several versions of Flamex: C26 for cotton, S33 for synthetics, W40 for wood, and P50 for paint. For comprehensive details about how and where to apply, go to the Rosco website. Scroll down until you find RoscoFlamex, select a product from the drop down menu and click on it.
Our Snuff-It™ flame retardant will treat a wide variety of materials including fabrics, certain wood products, cardboard and paper, and even hay or straw. Each application must be tested. For example, our testing recommendations which we ship with our Snuff-It™ say regarding fabric testing,
Follow all fire safety precautions and test at your own risk. All items to be treated must be tested for verification of chemical amount, appearance, texture and performance results. Surface must be free of all dirt and coatings. Cut two strips of specimen samples long enough for testing. We suggest a minimum of 3”x18”. Apply Snuff-It™ and let it absorb thoroughly on one side of the first specimen and label. On the second specimen, apply Snuff-It™ on both sides and label. Let dry and cure for 3-72 hours (average is 3-24 hours) and test. NFPA 705, Field Flame Testing Procedures are recommended for testing, although it does not guarantee acceptance by the fire authority. If results are not satisfactory, an additional light spray may be repeated or additional curing time may be required.
You get the idea. Whatever you use, you’ve got to prove it to yourself that your stuff is safe. That way, if an AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) requires an ad hoc test, you’ll be ready to show them that you’ve done it right! If you’d like to take a look at the complete Snuff-it™ product description which describes in more detail some of the testing procedures, click here.
Stay safe out there!
