Are Shade Sails Fire Retardant?

Shade sails are an excellent addition to your establishment’s facilities. They provide welcomed relief from the sun and can protect from other inclement weather. Shade sails also add aesthetic appeal that can match your brand and set your building and services apart from your competitors.

Not all shade sails are made equal, though. For safety and compliance, it’s vital to ensure that any shade sails your business purchases are fire retardant — meaning they’ve been chemically treated to self-extinguish and resist ignition, burning and melting when exposed to an open flame.

Of course, no material is 100% fire resistant — even the highest-quality fire-retardant fabrics can still catch flame and melt or burn under extreme conditions. Therefore, it is essential to consider how your establishment can increase outdoor safety, especially around shade structures.

Strategically plan where your business will place shade sails and the guidelines or rules you’ll enforce to ensure a safer environment. Prioritize other considerations, such as cleaning and maintenance, to ensure their longevity. Below, we explore the importance of fire-retardant shade sails, the different types available, their practical applications and associated safety standards.

Why Is Fire Retardancy in Shade Sails Important?

The nature of having a business is that there is always risk involved. Having a facility that caters to large crowds of people outdoors comes with its own unique set of risks. Typically, shade sails are not a fire risk, but some situations can easily lead to higher chances of dangerous or out-of-control circumstances:

• Inclement weather: One of the most significant advantages of shade sails is preparation for inclement weather. Quality shade sails that are UV resistant and waterproof shelter your establishment’s guests — and your business’s assets — from potentially damaging sun, wind and rain. Another concern is lightning or rogue sparks or flames from wildfires that can be worsened by wind. Having fire-retardant shade sails provides an added layer of protection that can help prevent fire from rapidly spreading.
• Vandalism: Unfortunately, vandalism is not uncommon. In 2022, over 36,000 cases of arson occurred in the United States, with more than 13,000 of them being structure fires. As such, it’s vital to have shade sails that are durable, reliable and fire retardant. Fire-retardant fabric on shade structures is essential in the case of a guest trying to intentionally set the property alight.
• Lack of adherence to rules: Most fires are accidental. For example, guests may choose to grill under your establishment’s shade structures but quickly become distracted and not attend to the fire. Without fire-retardant fabric, the shade structures may catch alight. Thankfully, you can avoid these types of incidents by choosing fire-retardant shade sails.

Fire-retardant shade sails are an investment that can save your establishment from accidental or weather-related fire and acts of vandalism. They make your facilities more secure and compliant and help your business save on the significant costs associated with these incidents.

Material Composition of Shade Sails

Fire-retardant shade sails are made from materials that resist catching fire and burning. Natural fibers like cotton, wool and silk are far more prone to catching fire and burning than synthetic materials. Therefore, the best choice for creating fire-retardant shade structures is to use synthetic materials for the fabric.

Fabrics undergo rigid testing to determine if they are fire retardant, and these tests may include various methods. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 701 testing — a small-scale test — measures how resistant a fabric is to ignition after exposing it to a flame for 12 seconds.

Testers then note results like flaming residue and char length. From these results, materials may be classified as fire retardant (FR), inherently fire retardant (IFR), permanently fire retardant (PFR), not fire retardant (NFR), can be made fire retardant (CBFR) or cannot be made fire retardant (CNFR).

Depending on design requirements, budget, preferences and manufacturer offerings, fire-retardant shade sails can be made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shade cloth.

Fire-Resistant Properties of Different Materials

These materials each have unique pros, cons and fire-resistant properties:

• PTFE: PFTE is a type of synthetic polymer consisting of fluorocarbon. It has some properties that make it an excellent choice for shade structures. It is a durable material, hydrophobic material — water cannot pass through it — making it ideal for waterproof structures. This fire-resistant fluoropolymer has a high melting point and can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s why PTFE coating is commonly used in gear for first responders.
• ETFE: ETFE is another fluorine-based polymer. This plastic is classified as a low-flammable material, with a melting point of approximately 536 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also considered self-extinguishing because it will shrink away from a fire source and naturally ventilate. However, it does melt and cause toxic smoke.
• PVC: PVC has good fire performance features. It does not ignite easily, and its heat release rate is lower than other combustible materials — giving off less heat more slowly. However, it does still generate toxic smoke when burnt.

The Best Coatings and Treatments for Fire Retardancy

Fire-retardant treatments and coatings can also make fabrics more fire resistant. Manufacturers always consider how these coatings and treatments might impact the durability and performance of the material for its intended use. Some of these coatings include:

• Neoprene: Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that can be used to coat materials and make them more suited to high-temperature applications.
• Silicone: Silicones typically have a slow burning rate and no drip. Therefore, silicone-coated fabrics can be more heat resistant.
• Ceramic: Ceramic has excellent fire-resistant properties. Ceramic coating is often used on textiles like carpets and upholstery.
• Refractory: A refractory is a heat-resistant material that retains strength under high heat. Refractory materials act as thermal barriers.

Note that these coatings are not necessarily suited to all fabrics and may not be used specifically for treating shade sail fabrics. In some states, fire-retardant chemicals and treatments must undergo testing and approval for specific applications. Manufacturers may also consider the environment or climate when producing fire-retardant materials.

Safety Standards and Certifications

In the U.S., there are no federally mandated regulations for fire-retardant shade structures. However, some states, including California and Florida, have passed such regulations. As more states follow suit, we may see fire-retardancy regulations for shade structures implemented at a federal level.

There are several things to be aware of if your establishment is in a state that does have fire-retardancy regulations for shade structures or other structures. The Office of the State Fire Marshal issues certificates of registration in California for approved fire-retardant chemicals, fabrics treated with flame-retardant chemicals and the businesses that apply these chemicals.

The chemicals and the materials they are applied to must undergo rigid laboratory tests that prove the materials have satisfactory fire resistance.

These regulations apply to a range of establishments, including schools, places of public assembly and restaurants. Any decorative materials and fabrics, such as tents and curtains, must comply with these regulations. They must be made with nonflammable materials or treated with appropriate fire-retardant chemicals.

If your establishment is in a state with similar regulations, reach out to your local authority to discuss the certification process, including how long it takes and any associated costs.

Can Fire-Retardant Shade Sails Impact Insurance Policies?

Having fire-retardant shade structures probably won’t lower your premiums. However, the cost of not having them could affect your claims later on, especially if you are in a state that requires fire-retardant structures. If your shade sails are not flame retardant, it could cause other issues with compliance. Speak to your insurance provider directly with any questions or concerns.

Practical Applications

Commercial shade structures are incredibly versatile, with options that suit a wide range of industries and spaces. They can be used for walkways, benches, picnic spots, pool areas, bus stops and other open spaces.

Though shade structures have practical applications in many spaces, it is vital to plan their placement carefully — especially if your establishment has facilities where guests could have an open flame.

Having a Shade Sail Over Fire Pits

When your establishment offers a space for rest and recreation, you pride yourself on having a facility that caters to your guests. This often includes having shade structures and grilling areas. Though shade sails can be highly fire retardant, it is not recommended you have a fire pit under shade sails or allow patrons to grill under shade sails.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to leave flames unattended. Coupled with weather conditions like strong winds, open flames under fabric shade sails become more hazardous.

Ensuring best practices can help you keep areas with shade structures and grilling facilities safer. Clear signage with guidelines for grilling and open flames can further improve safety measures. These guidelines can apply to any type of grilling, including gas, electric and coal.

Types of Fire-Retardant Shade Structures

At USA Shade, our Colourshade PVC and FR fabrics feature flame-retardant designs. Both fabrics are certified by the California State Fire Marshal, meeting the NFPA-701B fire rating. Additionally, our shade structures offer superior UV protection and approximately 60% to 70% water runoff.

Our most popular shade structures that feature — or can be custom-made to feature — fire-retardant fabrics include:

• Shade sails: These shade structures feature fabric stretched at unique, custom angles. They are perfect for projects that prioritize look and design without sacrificing coverage. They are well-suited to smaller areas like benches.
• Cantilevers: Cantilevers are supported from one side. Because they have fewer columns, they are excellent shade structures for projects where open space is the primary consideration. Cantilevers are good options for bus stops or walkways.
• Hip shade structures: Hip shade structures have several columns for maximum stability. They suit spacious areas and have various applications, including pool areas, picnic areas and playgrounds.
• Multi-panel shade structures: Multi-panels are made using layers of different fabrics to create an eye-catching shade structure while still ensuring coverage.

Quick-Ship Shade Structures From USA Shade

Our quick-ship shade structure units are carefully curated to your specifications in four weeks. Our range of quick-ship units includes the following designs:

• Single-post pyramid: This single-column shade structure can be made with fabric that offers various degrees of fire retardancy, noncombustibility and UV and weather protection. It is available in various colors and is ideally suited to commercial spaces like parks and playgrounds.
• Two-post hip: This double-post hip shade structure is one of our most budget-friendly designs. It can be designed with fire-retardant and noncombustible fabric and is a low-maintenance option ideal for bus stops, benches and more.
• Hip shade structure: Our quick-ship hip shade structure can be produced with material with varying degrees of fire retardancy and noncombustibility. Its sleek, simple design offers maximum shade coverage and can easily be combined with our hip shade structures for extended coverage. The design has versatile applications, from amusement parks to picnic areas.
• Pyramid shade structure:Our pyramid structures can be made with fabric that offers varying degrees of noncombustibility, fire retardancy and UV protection, depending on your establishment’s requirements. This low-maintenance design features a peaked roofline suited to various applications. Joined options are available.

How to Maintain and Care for Your Fire-Retardant Shade Sails

By regularly maintaining your shade structure, you can extend its life span and keep costs for repairs and replacement down. Properly maintaining fire-retardant shade structures is also crucial for ensuring the fabric remains durable and retains its fire-resistant properties.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance is crucial. For shade sails treated with fire-retardant chemicals, the fabric’s flame retardancy dissipates over time — and that can be accelerated with repeated cleaning or incorrect cleaning techniques.

In conjunction with following the manufacturer’s guidelines, these steps are generally good practice for maintaining your shade sails:

• Regularly inspect the shade structure’s fabrics for telltale signs of damage, like tears or scratches.
• Routinely check the shade structure’s posts to ensure that they are stable and secure. You can also inspect the connection points and tension.
• Look for signs of vandalism that may affect the structure’s look or durability.
• Clean the structure as needed using nonabrasive brushes or cloths, low-pressure water settings and only manufacturer-recommended products.
• Have your shade structures professionally installed, and disassemble and store them carefully if they will not be used for long periods.

Choose USA SHADE for Quality Fire-Retardant Shade Sails

Choosing quality, fire-retardant shade structures for your establishment significantly contributes to the safety of your staff and patrons. It is equally important to educate guests on best practices regarding grilling and the use of shade structures. Plan accordingly for where you will place your shade structures, fire pits and grills.

Quality flame-retardant shade structures also add to the look of the establishment and provide guests with shelter from inclement weather.

At USA Shade, we design, manufacture and install premium fire-retardant shade sails for various applications. Our shade structures can be custom-made to meet your requirements. Our quick-ship units are made with reliable, fire-retardant fabrics and can be sent to you in a shorter time frame than our custom options.

Request a free quote from us today. You can also reach out to one of our expert consultants about the best shade structures for your establishment.