Inherently Fire Retardant Foliage (IFR™) Specification Guide

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IFR™ Foliage (Inherently Fire Retardant) Specification Guide

What is IFR™ Foliage
IFR™ Foliage (Inherently Fire Retardant) is created through a process by which fire retardant chemicals are impregnated into the materials during the manufacturing process. These chemicals are blended with the fabric as well as the plastic or PVC parts at the time the materials are injected into the mold.


What is NOT IFR™ Foliage
Foliage treated by spraying or dipping it in topical fire retardant chemicals. This process of fire retarding is not done during the injection of the material into the mold. Rather, this is done as an after-market application. This method often leaves a spotty or discolored film that can degrade the foliage giving it a wilted look. The tacky surface film that is left on the foliage can attract dust and can wash or wear off easily, requiring expensive re-application of the chemical. The level of protection provided by this topical chemical is often very inconsistent and inadequate for meeting fire codes. This is why the process of impregnating chemicals directly into the materials during manufacturing presents a superior result that is often preferred over other methods, such as this topical application.


Fire Test Methods
All foliages should be tested against each of the following standard test methods and should hold a Class “A” rating as determined by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Test	Pre-Conditioning	Ignition Seconds	Smoke Density	Criteria			IFR™ Foliage Rating
Test	Pre-Conditioning	Ignition Seconds	Smoke Density	After Flame	Flame Spread	Flaming Driplets	IFR™ Foliage Rating
California Title 19 Tests: After Flame State Certified	Room temperature / Average humidity for at least 10 days	12 sec. in a chamber	N/A	10 sec. Max	None is allowed	Driplets must self-extinguish when hitting chamber floor	Registered Flame Resistant Product
US Gov SIN 4722-06 Tests: After Flame Government Test	Soaking in water for 2-3 hours	12 sec. in a chamber	N/A	15-18 sec. Max	N/A	None allowed	Pass
ASTME 84-95 Class A (similar to UL723) Tests: Smoke Density & Flame Spread Strictly Measurements, not pass/fail	Oven dried at 140-150 degrees for 90 minutes	12 sec. in a chamber	N/A	2 sec. Max	3.5"-6.5" max char length	Driplets must extinguish when hitting chamber floor	Pass
NFPA 701 1989 Small Scale Tests: After Flame & Char Length	Oven dried at 140-150 degrees for 90 minutes	12 sec. in a chamber	N/A	2 sec. Max	3.5"-6.5" max char length	Driplets must extinguish when hitting chamber floor	Pass
NFPA 701 1996 & 1999 Small Scale Tests: After Flame & Weight Loss	Oven dried at 105 degrees for 30 minutes	45 sec. in a chamber	N/A	2 sec. Max	N/A flame spread, but no more than 40% weight loss	Driplets must extinguish no more than 2 sec. after hitting chamber floor.	Pass
NFPA 705 1997 Field Flame Test Tests: After Flame & Flame Spread	None	Field tested in draft area with wooden match (or equivalent) for 12 sec.	N/A	2 sec. Max	4" max char length	Driplets must self-extinguish when hitting chamber floor	Pass


Benefits of IFR™ Foliage When Compared to Other Fire Retardants

IFR™ Foliage (Inherently Fire Retardant)		Topically Treated Fire Retardant Foliage
● Chemicals impregnated into the materials during manufacturing ● Will not wash or wear off ● Consistent fire protection ● California Title 19 ● US Gov SIN 4722-06 ● ASTME 84-95 Class A ● NFPA 701 ● NFPA 705 ● Structurally sound; premium grade materials withstand commercial application. ● Smooth surface reduces dust build-up ● Visually identical compared to standard foliages		● Treated by spraying or dipping it in topical fire retardant chemicals ● May wash or wear off and requires periodic reapplication ● Inconsistent fire protection ● May degrade materials, resulting in a wilted appearance ● Tacky surface film attracts dust ● Appearance may have a spotty or discolored film
See also What Is IFR™: General Overview IFR™ Foliage vs. Topically Treated Fire Retardant Foliage Do I Need Fire Retardant Foliage? Field Flame Test Hotel Fire Starts in Artificial Plants

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