Buying Flame Retardant Products? Here’s How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Real Deal
When a jobsite requires flame-retardant materials, there’s no room for guessing. Whether you’re covering scaffolding, enclosing a structure, or protecting equipment, FR products are often tied directly to safety requirements, inspections, and liability.
Not all FR products are created equal and not every supplier does the work to prove their claims. If you are buying flame-retardant materials, here is a clear guide to help you verify quality and ensure they perform when it matters most.
Step 1: Understand There Are Different Levels of FR
A common mistake is assuming “flame retardant” means one universal standard. It doesn’t. FR performance depends on:
Some materials may resist ignition. Others may ignite but self-extinguish quickly. Some may perform well initially but lose FR performance after weather exposure. The first step is knowing what your project requires and what standard your FR product should meet.
Step 2: Ask What Standard the Product Is Tested To
A legitimate FR supplier should be able to tell you exactly what testing standard their material meets. For many construction and industrial fabric applications, one of the most common and trusted standards is NFPA 701, which measures how fabric reacts to open flame and confirms it self-extinguishes quickly to prevent flame spread. See our video for a breakdown of the standard and how it’s tested. If a supplier cannot clearly identify the testing standard, that is a red flag.
Step 3: Request the Certificate
If you are buying FR products, always ask for proof. That means requesting documentation such as:
If the supplier says “it’s FR” but cannot provide documentation, you are taking on unnecessary risk. FR products are often required for compliance and inspections. If paperwork is missing, your project can be delayed or shut down, even if the product looks correct.
Step 4: Make Sure the Testing Is From a Reputable Source
Not all testing is equal. The most reliable FR validation comes from certified third-party labs, not internal testing or “in-house verification.” Third-party testing removes bias and ensures results are documented properly. If you are serious about jobsite safety and compliance, you want proof that comes from a trusted lab that follows recognized testing methods.
Step 5: Look for a Supplier With a Real Quality Control Program
FR performance is not something you check once and forget. A strong supplier should have a quality control process that ensures consistency between batches, not just one sample tested years ago. A robust quality control program should include:
Without quality control, FR claims can become inconsistent fast, and that can cost you time, money, and credibility.
Step 6: Confirm the Product Is Properly Labeled
If it is truly flame retardant, it should be labeled like it. Proper labeling matters because it:
If the labeling is vague or missing entirely, that is another red flag.
Step 7: Choose Proven FR Products, Not “Good Enough” Claims
At the end of the day, FR products are about protecting people, equipment, and projects. Buying FR should never come down to a guess or a marketing promise. The safest path is choosing suppliers who can back up every claim with real testing, real documentation, and real quality control.
The bottom line?
If you are purchasing flame retardant materials, your process should be simple. Know the standard. Ask for proof. Verify the lab. Confirm quality control. Check labeling. Because when the jobsite requires FR protection, “good enough” is not good enough.
At Eagle Industries, FR products are backed by certified third-party testing and quality control you can trust. That means fewer compliance headaches, fewer surprises, and confidence that your materials are ready for real-world conditions.
Want to learn more? Visit eagleind.com or reach out to our Sales Team at sales@eagleind.com.