To determine whether the tent fabric is fireproof, one should mainly consider three aspects: labeling, testing report, and simple combustion test. The core criteria are flame retardant self-extinguishing, no melting droplets, and charring without ash formation.
1. Check the product label (the most direct way)
- Fire rating label: Regular flame-retardant tarpaulins will be labeled
- B1 level (hardly flammable): the highest flame retardant level according to the national standard, quickly self-extinguishing away from the fire source
- B2 level (combustible but flame-retardant): self-extinguishes within a short period of time after the removal of the fire source
- B3 level (flammable): not fire-resistant
- Standard number: marked as GB 8624-2012 (China) and CPAI-84 (International Tent)
- Warning label: Permanently printed with flame retardant warnings such as "Keep away from open flames"
II. Check the test report (the most authoritative)
- Require the merchant to provide a flame retardant report with CMA/CNAS certification
- Key indicators (vertical burning method):
- Afterburning time ≤ 2 seconds
- Smoldering time ≤ 2 seconds
- Damage length ≤ 150mm
- No molten drips, no ignition of cotton
III. Simple combustion test (on-site verification)
Take the leftover material (without damaging the tent) and ignite it with a lighter:
- ✅ Level B1 (Qualified)
- The flame is extinguished immediately/quickly
- Only carbonized and blackened, without melting drips or ashing
- No obvious spread
- ✅ Level B2 (basically qualified)
- Self-extinguishing within 3 seconds after removing the fire source
- Burns slowly with moderate smoke
- Primarily carbonization
- ❌ Not fireproof (B3)
- Fast burning, with a large flame
- Melting and dripping, burning to ash
- A large amount of black smoke, difficult to extinguish
IV. Common fireproof tarpaulin materials
- PVC-coated fabric: mostly of B1/B2 grade, self-extinguishing, weather-resistant
- Silicone fiberglass cloth: Class A non-combustible, high temperature resistant to 500℃+
- Oxford fabric flame retardant coating: B1/B2 grade, commonly used for camping tents
V. Attention
- Tent is only flame retardant, not fire-resistant. Open flames are strictly prohibited inside the tent
- Water washing, exposure to sunlight, and aging will reduce flame retardancy
