Fire Retardant Blinds for Offices, Schools and HMOs: What BS 5867 Actually Requires
BS 5867 Part 2 sets three levels of fire performance for blind and curtain fabrics used in commercial and contract settings: Type A, the baseline; Type B, tested after 12 wash cycles and required for most general commercial use; and Type C, tested after 50 wash cycles at higher rigour and typically required for healthcare and higher risk environments. Landlords running HMOs, schools and offices should specify at minimum Type B fabric, with Type C for settings subject to frequent industrial laundering or a higher fire risk classification.
Key numbers:
- Type A requires withstanding a 10 second flame application with no edge spread or burning debris.
- Type B is tested after 12 wash cycles at 40°C.
- Type C is tested after 50 wash cycles at 40°C with flame exposure stepped from 5 to 30 seconds.
- Flame and afterglow must not exceed 2.5 seconds under Type C testing.
What BS 5867 Actually Tests
BS 5867-2:2008 sets out how fabric for curtains, drapes and window blinds is tested for its response to direct flame and whether that performance survives repeated washing. The test applies a small gas flame to a vertically suspended sample and checks flame spread, burning debris and afterglow.
Type A, Type B and Type C: What Each Level Means
| Type | Flame exposure tested | Wash cycles before testing | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | 10 second flame application, single test | None specified as a wash durability requirement | Baseline standard, general low risk domestic adjacent use |
| Type B | Flame application stepped from 5 to 30 seconds | 12 cycles at 40°C before testing | Most general commercial settings, including offices, shops and standard HMOs |
| Type C | Flame application stepped from 5 to 30 seconds | 50 cycles at 40°C before testing | Healthcare, care homes, schools and other higher risk or frequently laundered settings |
The wash cycle requirement exists because fire retardant treatments applied as a coating can degrade with repeated laundering. Type C gives a higher durability benchmark for settings where fabrics are cleaned frequently.
Which Settings Need Type A, B or C?
| Setting | Minimum recommended type | Why | Who this is wrong for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard office | Type B | General commercial risk profile without frequent industrial laundering | Very high risk industrial premises that may need specialist fire engineering advice |
| HMO, House in Multiple Occupation | Type B, minimum | Shared occupancy creates a higher fire safety duty and Type B suits standard commercial grade use | Larger HMOs with local licence conditions requiring a higher specification |
| School classroom | Type B, often Type C depending on local authority requirement | Higher occupancy of children can lead to a higher specified standard | Anyone assuming Type B is always sufficient without checking the relevant authority |
| Care home or healthcare setting | Type C | Frequent laundering and higher risk occupant profiles make the 50 wash cycle test more appropriate | Standard offices or shops where Type C may be unnecessary over specification |
| Domestic home with no commercial use | No mandatory BS 5867 requirement | The standard is aimed at commercial and contract settings | Not applicable, domestic buyers can choose based on other performance needs |
When BS 5867 Is Not Usually Required
If you are specifying blinds for a genuinely private domestic home with no commercial use, letting or public access, BS 5867 compliance is not normally a legal requirement. In that setting you can choose fabric based on style, openness factor, privacy, light control and durability.
What Landlords and Businesses Should Ask For
Ask for the fabric’s specific BS 5867 type in writing, keep the test certificate on file, confirm it relates to the exact product and construction being supplied, and check any cleaning instructions needed to preserve the rating. A general “fire retardant” or “contract quality” claim without a specific type and test reference is not the same as documented certification.
Real Scenario: An HMO Landlord in Ilford
A landlord managing a licensed HMO in Ilford needed to refit blinds across communal and bedroom windows before a routine council inspection. Type B fabric, supported by the correct test documentation, matched the general commercial risk requirement without moving unnecessarily to Type C.
Real Scenario: A Primary School Classroom in Barking
A primary school in Barking needed new blackout blinds for a classroom. The local authority facilities guidance specified Type C fabric, so that local requirement took priority over the general Type B commercial baseline.
Mistakes People Make Specifying Fire Retardant Blinds
- Accepting “fire retardant” or “contract quality” without a specific type reference: ask for checkable Type A, B or C documentation.
- Assuming a fabric rating survives every construction change: lining, backing or blackout coatings can affect fire performance.
- Over specifying Type C for a standard office: this can add cost where Type B genuinely matches the setting.
- Failing to check local authority or regulator requirements: schools, care settings and licensed HMOs can carry requirements above a general baseline.
Type A vs Type B vs Type C: Full Comparison
| Factor | Type A | Type B | Type C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flame test duration | 10 seconds, single application | 5 to 30 seconds, stepped | 5 to 30 seconds, stepped |
| Wash cycles before testing | Not specified as a durability requirement | 12 cycles at 40°C | 50 cycles at 40°C |
| Typical setting | Baseline, lower risk | Offices, shops and standard HMOs | Healthcare, care homes and higher risk classrooms |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest, reflecting the more rigorous treatment and testing |
How Long Fire Retardant Fabric Performance Lasts
Fire retardant performance can degrade over time and with repeated laundering, which is why Type B and Type C include wash durability within the test. Correctly specified fabric should be cleaned in line with the manufacturer’s instructions throughout its working life.
Other Contract Requirements to Check
Fire performance is rarely the only contract requirement. BS EN 13120 child safety requirements apply where children may have access. Antimicrobial or easy clean finishes may be specified in healthcare and education settings, while blackout fabric may be needed for classrooms, meeting rooms or presentation spaces.
Fire Retardant Blinds Myths Worth Retiring
- Myth: any polyester or synthetic fabric is automatically fire retardant. Fact: material type alone is not the same as a tested BS 5867 classification.
- Myth: domestic homes legally need BS 5867 fabric. Fact: the standard is aimed at commercial and contract settings rather than ordinary domestic purchases.
- Myth: Type C is always the better choice. Fact: the correct specification depends on the setting, cleaning regime and any local requirements.
Why Documentation Matters for Insurance and Liability
For landlords and businesses, certification provides documented evidence of what was installed. During a fire safety inspection, insurance query or HMO audit, a specific test certificate linked to the exact fabric is more useful than an unsupported statement that the blinds were fire retardant.
Cleaning and Maintaining Fire Retardant Contract Blinds
Cleaning method matters because the rating depends on preserving the construction or treatment that gives the fabric its fire performance. Follow the manufacturer’s approved cleaning method and pass those instructions to the facilities team or cleaning contractor.
Our Verdict
For most offices, shops and standard HMOs, Type B fabric with the correct test documentation is the sensible specification. For schools, care homes and healthcare settings, check the governing body or local authority requirement first, since Type C may be specified. Whatever the setting, keep the certificate with the property or facilities records and follow the cleaning method tied to that fabric.
London Blinds 4U supplies and fits made to measure blinds for homes and businesses across East London and the wider London area, with free measuring and fitting. Our areas we cover page includes North London, South London, West London, Central London and surrounding areas.
Fire Retardant Blinds FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Type A, B and C under BS 5867?
A: Type A is the baseline single flame exposure test. Type B adds a requirement to still pass after 12 wash cycles at 40°C. Type C requires passing after 50 wash cycles.
Q: Do I legally need fire retardant blinds in my HMO?
A: Type B is commonly treated as the baseline commercial specification for a standard HMO, but local licensing conditions can vary. Check the conditions attached to the property’s HMO licence.
Q: Are fire retardant blinds required in a normal family home?
A: No mandatory BS 5867 requirement normally applies to an ordinary private domestic setting with no commercial use, letting or public access.
Q: How do I know if a fabric genuinely meets BS 5867?
A: Ask for the specific Type A, B or C reference and a test certificate tied to the exact product and construction being supplied.
Q: Do schools always need Type C fabric?
A: Not in every case. Some local authorities or estates teams specify Type C, so the relevant facilities guidance should be checked before ordering.
Q: Does washing or dry cleaning affect a fabric’s fire rating?
A: It can. That is why Type B and Type C include wash cycle durability within the test. Follow the manufacturer’s approved cleaning method.
Q: Can I fit standard domestic blackout blinds in a small home office?
A: If the room is genuinely private and not part of a commercial or publicly accessible premises, standard domestic blackout blinds can be appropriate.
Q: Does London Blinds 4U supply and fit BS 5867 certified blinds?
A: Yes, for commercial, landlord and HMO customers London Blinds 4U can specify Type B or Type C fabric where required and provide the relevant documentation for the chosen product.
