Hotel Fire Starts In Artificial Plants
Cover Story
A national hotel nearly experienced a major disaster from the use of non-fire rated artificial plants. The plants were ignited from a cigarette and the flames spread quickly through the planter. Molten plastic driplets fell to the balconies below, igniting planters on 6 floors. Hundreds of tourists were forced to evacuate; fortunately no one was injured.
Could this fire possibly have been prevented...YES! With our Inherently Fire Retardant Artificial Foliage.
Our proprietary designed IFR™ Foliages (Inherently Fire Retardant) have a Class A fire rating and they self extinguish, preventing the flame from spreading. Unlike foliages that are sprayed with a fire retardant chemical, our chemicals are impregnated into the foliages during the manufacturing process. Commercial Silk Int'l offers an entire line of commercial grade artificial trees, plants and IFR™ Foliages; ideal for commercial projects including Hotels, Malls, Casinos and Offices.
Artificial Plants & Trees: Real Life Fire Danger
Artificial trees and plants can be real life fire hazards. The fire risks with artificial plants have been well documented. States have adopted fire codes that specifically address the use of artificial plants and the fire test requirements they must adhere to. This video is a real life example of the dangers of using non flame retardant artificial foliages.
Fires Involving Non Fire Retardant Foliages
| Cocoanut Grove Fire Starts in Non Fire Retardant Artificial Palm Tree...He lit a match. It touched one of the artificial palm trees that gave the Cocoanut Grove its atmosphere; a few flames shot up...The fire quickly ate away the palm tree, raced along silk draperies, was sucked upstairs through the stairway, leaped along ceiling and wall...484 dead were counted... |
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| Inspections Reveal Of Fire Safety Hazards...Inspectors cited artificial plants that were not fire retardant...At the Strand, they noted expired flame retardant on decorative or acoustical materials... |
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| Two South Country Firefighters Receive Statewide Acclaim...Yet they remember the density of the smoke - so thick...you couldn't see your own hand, held in front of your face...rooms full of artificial plants and flowers, made of flammable nylon and silk, fueled a rapid, raging fire... |
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Fire Forces Evacuation at Westin Hotel...They say a Christmas tree on the third floor, near the hotel's conference rooms, caught fire and filled the entire atrium and surrounding areas with smoke... |
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| Cigarette May Be Cause of Fire At Huge Orlando Hotel...put out a cigarette in a balcony planter filled with fake plants. They caught fire, dropping burning debris onto balconies below, igniting their planters...> |
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| Fire At Woodfield Mall Caused By Burning Christmas Decorations...Hanging ornaments had some electrical issues...debris then fell to the floor, setting some floor level Christmas trees afire... |
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| Fire Sends Three People To Hospital...a decorative artificial tree in the apartment caught fire. The fire spread to a sofa. A hanging wicker basket also was burned... |
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| Fatal Fire is 4th in 6 Months at Store in Long Island Mall...the fire started after someone threw a cigarette into a display of plastic and silk flowers and wicker furniture....and then raced through the store as it was fueled by flammable merchandise... |
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| Dog Dies After Saving Owner From Fire..."And he jumped onto a table that had a candle on it and tipped it over and lighted the artificial plants on fire"... |
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| Family Escape Fire Number Two...The fire began in or near a fake plant in a plastic pot on the deck. Drew's bedroom curtain had blown out the window and attracted the flames... |
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| Reward Offered For Information On Arson Fire...set fire to an artificial plant that was outside at the back of the residence, leaning up against the house, which caused the residence to catch on fire... |
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| Fatal Fire is 4th in 6 months at Store in Long Island Mall...the fire had apparently started in the flower area, which was filled with flammable items like artificial plants sprayed with chemicals, wicker baskets and the like. |
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| Fire crews called to Newport Road blaze...the fire was caused by some incense sticks which had set an artificial plant alight. |
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| Five Rescued From Apartment Complex Fire...the fire started...when a candle in the living room ignited an artificial plant |
See also What Is IFR™:
General Overview
IFR™ Foliage vs. Topically Treated Fire Retardant Foliage
Do I Need Fire Retardant Foliage?
Field Flame Test
Fire Retardant Foliage Specification Guide