ThermaLeaf® Foliage (Inherently Fire Retardant) Specification Guide
If you are an architect or interior designer looking to specify our ThermaLeaf® fire retardant foliage for a project, we have created a comprehensive product specification. In addition, we have created three-part product specifications for our plants and trees that includes this information below and is available for download (.doc file format) by using our project list feature.
What is 
ThermaLeaf® Foliage
ThermaLeaf® 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, creating the safest fire retardant plants and trees on the market.
What is NOT ThermaLeaf® Foliage
Foliage treated by spraying or dipping it in topical fire retardant chemicals is not ThermaLeaf®. Instead of fire retarding during the injection of the material into the foliage mold, topical treatments are performed as an after-market application. This treatment often leaves a spotty or discolored film that can degrade the foliage and make it look wilted, along with leaving a tacky surface film that attracts dust. Topical treatments can also wash or wear off easily, leaving a weakened protection and requiring expensive re-application of fire retardant chemicals to artificial plants and artificial trees.
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 |
ThermaLeaf® Foliage Rating |
| After Flame |
Flame Spread |
Flaming Driplets |
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 |
ASTM E84-95 Class A
(similar to UL723)
Tests:
Smoke Density & Flame Spread
Strictly Measurements,
not pass/fail |
Oven dried at 140-150º 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 140-150º 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 105º 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 |
British Standards Institution
(BS 476: Part 7
& Part 6 & Class 0)
Tests:
Fire Propagation & Surface Spread of Flame |
Conditioned at 23 ± 2º C and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5% for 48 hours |
Field |
N/A |
NA |
165mm max char length |
NA |
Pass |
Tests:
CAN/ULC S109 Small Scale, Large Scale: After flame and char length are measured. |
30 minutes at 105 degrees Celsius |
12 sec. in a chamber |
N/A |
2 sec. max |
250mm max char length |
Same as small scale |
Pass |
Tests:
EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 Test: Ignition with Single Flame Source |
N/A |
30 sec. with filter paper |
s1 |
N/A |
N/A |
None |
Pass |
Toxicity Test Methods
All foliages should be tested against each of the following standard test methods and should be below the IDLH Value of the listed gases in the NIOSH Guide.
| Test |
Pre-Conditioning |
Ignition Seconds |
Criteria |
ThermaLeaf® Foliage Rating |
| IDLH Values Limits (mg/m³) |
| C02 |
CO |
HF |
HCI |
HBr |
SO2b |
NO2c |
HCN |
NF X 70-100
Tests: Analysis of Pyrolysis and Combustion Gases |
Conditioned at 23 ± 2º C and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5% for 48 hours |
Field tested in a tube furnace for 20 minutes. |
73000 mg/m³ |
1400 mg/m³ |
25 mg/m³ |
76 mg/m³ |
101 mg/m³ |
270 mg/m³ |
38 mg/m³ |
56 mg/m³ |
Pass |