Flameproofing is the application of flame retardant chemicals that are typically wiped on, sprayed on, or soaked into flammable materials. The chemicals are formulated to prevent the spread of flames in a fire condition. Flameproofing does not necessarily prevent treated items from catching fire, but instead, it significantly impedes the spread of the flames and provides critical time for emergency response.

The simple answer is - Flameproofing works. It can save lives and property. And because it works, New York City agencies like FDNY and DOB have written it into code. Also, most insurance carriers now require Flameproofing of decorative materials (and scenery) in public spaces to provide precautionary fire protection.

In NYC the terms are often interchangeable. However, FDNY uses the term Flameproofing to describe the application of flame retardants to decorations and scenery used in commercial properties. In most other local jurisdictions, the term Fire Proofing is defined as applying fire retardant products (paints, chemicals, and coatings) to structural materials such as wood studs and joists, steel beams and flooring, the installation of fire proof acoustic sheets, or the use of fire stop caulking to seal penetrations. When used in this way, Fire Proofing is considered part of the construction process in a building while Flameproofing is part of the fire protection system used to protect a completed property.

By code, decorations or scenery in any commercial building’s public spaces where people are likely to assemble, must be Flameproofed. Typically this would include hotel and office lobbies, theaters, nightclubs and rooftop bars, lounges, clubs, bars, ballrooms, meeting spaces, spas, music venues, and restaurants to name just a few.

Per code, flammable items that would require treatment would include (but are not limited to); draperies and valances, theater curtains, textile covered walls, scenery used in a play or live production, wooden beams, walls, and ceilings, interior awnings, banners, upholstery, window coverings, wall hangings, decorative (fake) foliage, was well as seasonal decorations, etc.

,

In NYC, only a person holding a valid, FDNY issued C-15 / Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of Fitness may legally apply or directly supervise a crew in the application of flame retardant chemicals. Only a C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder may issue a Flameproofing Certificate upon completion of the work and subsequent flame testing.

Experience, knowledge, and professional skill is the straight-forward answer. Wood surfaces are fibrous. Cotton textiles absorb liquid chemicals quickly so over-saturation must be avoided. Poly or poly-blends do not always allow good absorption and therefore require a chemical that that can bind to the surface and provide the level of performance required. During the initial Pre-inspection Survey, TRG will determine the composition of the substrates and match the best Flameproofing chemicals to the textile, item, or surface being treated.

Most jobs can be completed in a single session, although larger jobs can often take 2, 3 or even more days. Typically, we can treat up to 10,000 square feet of surface area per day, but that can vary significantly. Other factors include the time of day, (late evening and overnight jobs tend to go faster), the type of application (wipe on vs. spraying), heights we are working at (use of additional equipment), and accessibility. During the Pre-Inspection Survey prior to providing a proposal, we will estimate the time required from start to completion to provide for scheduling considerations and coordinate a service schedule that best works for your needs.

It is very difficult to provide a single generic price because each job is truly unique. Larger jobs often provide economies of scale while smaller jobs can actually be more difficult in terms of accessibility and time constraints. Ultimately, location, equipment required, the type(s) of chemicals to be used, size of the crew, number of work days, and the overall difficulty of the job all factor into the price. However - TRG is generally still able to provide Flameproofing services for $.45 - $.85 per square foot (as a rough guide). We are consistently one of the most affordable Flameproofing providers in NYC with competitors now routinely charging $1-$1.25 per sf or more.

Upon completion of any Flameproofing job, TRG must provide you with one or more Flameproofing Certificates. Typically there will be a Certificate for each type of chemical used, each type of surface treated, and each level, floor, or room of the property. Each Flameproofing Certificate lists the date of service, chemical used, surface/item treated, location, and other information on the company and C-15 holder. It is signed, embossed with the company’s seal, and notarized. TRG will typically provide the Certificate(s) no later than 24 hours after completion of Flame Testing the job.

Do not worry - TRG Fire-Life Safety LLC, the parent company of TRG Flameproofing is in the business of Fire-Life Safety including Violations Support. The company has been clearing violations for building owners for over 15 years. TRG Flameproofing will provide the required affidavit, copies of the Flameproofing Certificates, and will file the Certificate of Correction with FDNY Enforcement, or schedule the required re-inspection, for any Summonses or Violation Orders you may have received if you desire.

This is one of the most common misconceptions in NYC regarding Flameproofing and the answer is - generally NO. Often times, manufactured Christmas trees, decorations, draperies, upholstery, and wood beams are treated by the manufacturer as part of the production process. The packing material, invoice, or box indicates the items are “fully Flameproofed.” Many times this Flameproofing was done years earlier at the time of manufacture and the product sits on a shelf until sold. Typically there is no statement on the flame retardant chemicals used so there is no way to confirm the efficacy of the Flameproofing unless it is Flame Tested… and the items generally do not include properly formatted certificates or indicate Flame Testing. Generally - only a Flameproofing Certificate issued by an individual holding a valid, FDNY-issued C-15 Certificate of Fitness is acceptable. There are some products, such as custom stage curtains and drops, that are made of inherently flameproofed materials that may not require treatment. TRG will identify these during the Pre-Inspection Survey.

TRG Flameproofing can provide both on-site and off-site service, however that vast majority of clients prefer the work to be done on-site. It is faster, more efficient, and lower cost than removal of the items and Flameproofing off-site.

The simple answer - it’s how you tell the Flameproofing works! In accordance with NFPA Standard 701, once we complete treatment, we wait 24-hours for the chemicals to cure, and then return and provide Flameproofing Testing. We extract small samples of fabric from hems and areas that are not visible, and conduct live fire testing to ensure that the chemicals are preforming as required in accordance with the standard. The results of the flame testing are included in the Flameproofing Report provided after completion of any project.

The simple answer is - accuracy! We absolutely do not want to over-charge our clients or under-perform. We take a professional approach to every job. The Pre-Inspection Survey allows us to determine the type of surfaces that have to be Flameproofed, the types of materials, total size of the project (surface area to be treated), how many crew members are going to be required, accessibility, and equipment needs. It also gives us the opportunity to discuss schedules and timelines. Too often, Flameproofing providers just work off the last company’s specs and then show up and attempt to renegotiate pricing and scheduling at the last minute, because areas or items to be treated are missing or misrepresented. TRG believes that a fair Project Proposal can only be made once a proper Pre-Inspection Survey has been completed.

During the Pre-Inspection Survey, we will measure the surface area of items to be Flameproofed, such as curtains, draperies, valances, beams, wood surfaces and textile covered walls - calculating the total square footage of each item to be treated. In the case of curtains and draperies, we also need to determine if the item being treated is single, or double sided. Typically if a drapery panel is 40” x 120” we will round that down to the nearest foot, i.e., 3’x10’ which equates to 30sf of surface if it is single-sided or 60sf if it is double-sided. Once all of the items are measured, we can calculate the cumulative square footage, determine the amount of chemicals required, equipment needs, crew size, and time factors… and then fairly price out the job.

FDNY maintains a list of Approved Flame Retardant Chemicals. The most important task is to select the best chemical available to provide the highest level of protection for the type of surface being treated. For example, wood, which is porous and highly absorbent will require a different formulation than a poly-cotton blend curtain which must be treated with a chemical that has better surface adhesion. TRG, based on its experience, selects and uses non-toxic, water based, low-to-no VOC chemicals from the FDNY approved list. Material Data Sheets are available on each chemical we use and can be included as part of our final report. The FDNY assigned chemical approval number is also listed on the Flameproofing Certificate(s).