Choosing a Fireproof or Fire Retardant Tent.
Many campers will enjoy the peace of mind provided by knowing their tent has been treated with fireproofing.
As one of the UK's first providers of fireproofed bell tents we've developed our range to ensure our fireproofed tents offer the same benefits as our regular range, but with the added security of knowing stray sparks won't spoil your holiday. Because fireproofing is added to the material during the weaving process our fireproof bell tents are still just as breathable as our regular canvas tents. When choosing a fireproof or fire retardant tent it’s important to ensure your tent meets the correct criteria. Before we delve straight into the British Standards regarding canvas tents and what to look for, it's perhaps important to know what the process of fireproofing a tent involves.
PROBAN®
At Bell Tent Boutique all our fireproofed canvas tents have been treated with PROBAN® prior to the tents manufacture. Pre treating the canvas before manufacturing the tent ensures that the PROBAN ® polymer is embedded into the body of the canvas fibres so the treatment can last the life of the tent.
Come Rain or Shine
Adding Proban during the initial weaving process means that the fireproofing treatment will not degrade over time. It won't wash off with rain or wear out with UV. The potential issue with any after market fireproofing sprayed on at a later date is that it can degrade and leave you with a false sense of security believing the tent to be treated.
How will Proban treated canvas perform?
When exposed to a flame, PROBAN® treated canvas forms an insulating char. The canvas will not smoulder or melt, and the flame will not spread outside the charred area. What we have found in practice is that this means when held to a flame source the material will char at the edges but once the flame is removed the material will not continue to flame and burn of its own accord.
Because our heavier weight 360 canvas Pro range is made from a slightly thicker canvas it can also be more durable than 285gsm canvas over long periods. The benefit is typically found by campers who use tents more often than the norm or with tents left pitched for longer periods. Heaver canvas weights can offer better insulation properties for camping at earlier and later times in the season.
British Standards Institution
What should I look for?
Our fireproof range has always complied to the British Standards Institution BS7837 'cigarette test'
BS 7837:1996 is the specification used to gauge the flammability performance of textiles that are used in the construction of marquees and similar textile structures.
If the tested canvas material passes then it awarded the BS7837:1996. Our fireproof range was one of the first to reach this standard.
Since 2017 our tents have also been certified with CPAI-84, the more rigorous Canvas Products Association International version of the ISO6941.
Tested and Tested again.
Whilst some manufacturers have recently started offering tents that reach the British Standards Institution BS7837 few are certified CPAI-84. The CPAI (Canvas Products Association International), sets the flammability standards for canvas tents.
CPAI-84 is the Canvas Products Association International version of the ISO6941
This involves testing beyond the specifications of BS7837:1996.
During testing the laboratory will perform flammability tests on tent material under different conditions:
One test involves washing the material several times prior to igniting to simulate conditions canvas can be expected to endure during it's life.
After washing, samples are tested to ensure they don't drip or burn after the flame is removed.
CPAI-84 is only awarded to canvas that meets this strict criteria.
Peace of Mind
All very technical, but we've done the hard work! If you choose from our Fireproof Pro range you can rest assured you have market leading protection.
