Fire-Resistant Greenery Information

Fire Retardant Greenery

Earthflora offers a realistic and natural looking line of IFR (Inherent Fire Retardant) artificial Trees, Plant, Grasses, and Florals. Specified by Architects, Commercial and Professional Plantscape Contractors, Fire Marshals, the Federal Government (GSA) and Building Safety Managers, Earthflora's IFR standards are used internationally. Earthflora's artificial foliage has been tested under strict and rigid requirements. Fire Retardant Testing Passes: 

• National Fire Prevention Association 701 Test for Non-Flammability 

• ASTM-E84-95 Standard Test Methods for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Material. Test is also published under the following designations: ANSI 2.5, NFPA 244, UBC 8-1 (42-1) UL 73.

 • California State Fire Marshall – Registered Flame Resistant Product – Registration No. F-37201 

• Wiretec British Standard Tests – BS 476 Part 6 and BS 476 Part 7

 • Toxicity and Pyrolysis Test – Singapore. Earthflora's Inherent Fire Retardant foliage will NOT wash off, dissipate, drip off, or leave a messy, oily film. Our Fire Retardant faux foliage becomes less flammable with age! The fire retardant is impregnated directly into the fabric and polyethylene foliage prior to printing and injection molding. All Inherent Fire Retardant Foliage will have a “R” in prefix and be indicated with Fire Retardant symbol. Item numbers highlighted in RED can be special ordered as Fire Retardant. Please ask for quote.

Inherent Fire Retardant Testing Earthflora’s IFR plants and tree line has passed the following fire tests and/or certifications. Upon request, we can provide the following documentation along with your purchase of
any of our IFR foliage.

ASTM E8400A American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee E-5 on Fire Standards

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
 (ANSI 2.5, NFPA 255, UBC 8-1, UL 723). 
Test performed on PVC material with passing scores (Class 1 or Class A) for flame spread and 
smoke indexes.

ASTM E8400A -07 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee E-5 on Fire Standards

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
 (ANSI 2.5, NFPA 255, UBC 42-1, UL 723)
. Test performed on Artificial Foliage with passing scores (Class 1 or Class A) for flame spread and smoke indexes.

BS 474 PART 6 Method for Classification of the Surface Spread of Flame of Products. 
Test performed on
Artificial Foliage with passing scores (Class 0)
. Class 0 is the highest national product performance
classification for lining materials.

BS 474 PART 7 Method for Classification of the Surface Spread of Flame of Products
. Test performed on
 Artificial Foliage with passing scores (Class 1 or Class A).

CALIFORNIA STATE MARSHAL Registered Flame Resistant Product Identified in Section 13115
. Test
performed on Artificial Foliage with passing scores.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARD 701 Small Scale Test (NFPA 701) 
IFR Fabric Foliage. 
Test performed on Artificial Foliage with passing scores, this excludes natural wood and only applies to the foliage.

NF X 70-100(1986) Method Analysis of Pyrolysis and Combustion Gases
. Evaluation of Toxic Fumes
Generated from Material Sample During Burning 
Samples of Artificial Foliage passed: The above analytical toxic fume results generated from the sample were below the IDLH Value of the listed gases (the concentration of the gas in the atmosphere which for an exposure time of 30 minutes is immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) in the NIOSH Guide.

Indoor Silk plants and trees can be rendered fire retardant by:
1. Surface Application by Spraying or Dipping. Not recommended. This is a temporary application that will eventually wash off and dissipate.
2. FR Additives are included in the manufacturing process. Best Option with the most benefits. Both Fabric and Plastic Components are either Inherently or Independently Molded or Manufactured with Fire 
Retardant Materials. Who enforces the Fire Retardant codes? For decades, millions of fires occur across the country and are responsible for thousands of deaths. Some caused by spread of combustible materials. As a result, strict building code requirements were put in place to reduce damages and loss of lives. State and local fire officials across the country enforce their own fire codes. Before ordering silk plants for commercial
use, check the building codes requirements for any regulations on the use of artificial plants and trees. 
Using fire retardant silks will help prevent potentially costly mistakes later. Fire codes and regulations vary nationally and internationally. Our IFR product will pass all tests. However, it is important to research fire codes and collect testing data from area of where the foliage will be installed. Fire officials will ask for this
 testing at the time of installation. So do your research and don't make the mistake of installing non-flame
 retardant product if your project mandates fire retardant materials. The alternative sprayed or dipped fire 
treatment is only for temporary use but price is still higher than regular silk foliage. So it is not a very cost 
effective solution compared to IFR products. Surface treatments of foliage can also change the appearance
 showing a flaky or dusty film, texture, and feel of materials.