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Admin  
#1 Posted : 14 August 2007 11:32:00(UTC)
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Posted By dangermouse
hi all, i am seeking advice about curtains to be fitted in what will be an education room.
can you tell me if there are specific regs? I have risk assessed and I decided fireproof because the room will be used mostly for children, and flame resistant appears to be reduced after washing and age. Has anyone got any info which might help influence my decision or indeed help me persuade the boss who of course wants to spend as little as possible.
thanks all
Admin  
#2 Posted : 14 August 2007 14:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By The toecap
Do a fire risk asessment and show it is a risk or not as the case may be.
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#3 Posted : 14 August 2007 14:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Julian Wilkinson
fit aluminium venetian blinds instead of curtains. Much better for reducing or increasing the amount of natural light in a training room environment
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#4 Posted : 14 August 2007 14:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By dangermouse
hi thanks, we already have blinds but the owner wanted to 'tart' the place up a little. i did find this:
British Standard 5867: Part 2: Type B fabric.

i did do a risk assessment as i said but i was just wondering if there was something published, i could persuade her with. anyway thanks to you both for commenting and if anyone else reads this and comes up with something im still open to advice
regards
j
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#5 Posted : 15 August 2007 14:52:00(UTC)
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Posted By Della Pearlman
There are a couple of publications with some information on curtains in schools:

There is a DFEE (now the Dept.for Children, Schools and Families) publication called Fire Safety, originally published in 2000, which has this clause:
Furniture and furnishings
The selection of upholstered furniture and soft furnishings (including
foam filled gymnasium mats) should take into account their fire
resistance.
Curtains, including stage drapes, should be labelled during manufacture
to indicate that they are either made from inherently fire retardant fabrics
or that they have been chemically treated to achieve fire retardance.
The manufacturers’ or suppliers’ instructions should be followed when
cleaning. Some treated materials require regular washing to remove
dust build-up which can impair their retardant properties, while other
treatments must be reapplied after fabrics have been washed.

Existing curtains which cannot be verified as fire retardant may be
suitable for treatment. Such treatment is normally professionally applied,
but some treatments are available for self application and certain of these
may also be applied to stage scenery and decorations.

The Dept. of Communities and Local Government also has a pdf document online, which also gives information on curtains:
Fire Risk Assessment - educational premises
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162108

Other than that, although the DCSF have a large number of design documents for schools, including for furniture, as far as I know there is no specific specification or requirement, or otherwise, for curtains.
hope this helps

Della Pearlman
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#6 Posted : 15 August 2007 15:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By Della Pearlman
Just a quick addition to my last post:
BB100 DESIGNING AND MANAGING AGAINST THE RISK OF FIRE IN SCHOOLS (Draft)

There is a clause which states:

"Nor should there should be any undesirable features such as decorative suspended ceilings, curtains or other items that could fall and slow up those leaving the area or fire fighters entering the building."

Freely available online at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/c...%2005%20-%20Complete.pdf
This is a draft document, but it looks like it will be finalised shortly.

Della
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#7 Posted : 15 August 2007 21:54:00(UTC)
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Posted By dangermouse
Della thank you so much its just what I needed
J
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