Updated November 2026. By the Tappezzeria Radogna workshop, Isernia, Italy, since 1950.
In short: in hotels, restaurants and other public spaces, curtains and upholstery must meet the fire classification required in the country where they are installed. There is no single certificate valid everywhere: Italy asks for Classe 1 for curtains and Classe 1 IM for upholstered seating, France for M1, Germany for B1, the UK for BS 5867 and the US for NFPA 701. The right class for your project is set by its fire safety engineer.
The most requested classifications
| Country | Curtains and drapes | Upholstered seating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Classe 1 | Classe 1 IM | Ministry approval and supplier’s declaration of conformity |
| France | M1 | Check with the specifier | Euroclasses are also used |
| Germany | B1 (DIN 4102-1) | Check with the specifier | “Schwer entflammbar” |
| United Kingdom | BS 5867-2 Type B | BS 7176 (tested to BS 5852) | The level depends on the risk of the venue |
| Europe | EN 13773 (tests EN 1101 and EN 1102) | EN 1021 (cigarette and match) | European classification for curtains |
| United States | NFPA 701 | According to local code | Often required by hotel chains |
This table is a general guide. Standards change, and there may be regional rules or brand standards, for example from hotel chains: always ask for the project’s fire specification.
Inherently flame-retardant or treated?
- Inherently flame-retardant (for example modified polyester fibres such as Trevira CS): fire resistance is built into the fibre and is not lost through washing. The safest choice for hotels and restaurants.
- Treated: a natural fabric is treated with a flame-retardant finish. The treatment can wear off with washing and may need to be renewed. Suitable for fabrics that are rarely washed.
- Linings and blackout: linings, blackout fabrics and sewing threads must also be compatible with the required class.
Which documents to ask for
- The certificate or test report from an accredited laboratory, showing the fabric reference and the class achieved.
- For Italy, the fabric’s ministry approval and the declaration of conformity for the batch supplied.
- A match between the certified fabric and the one delivered: same article, same composition.
- Care instructions that preserve the classification.
We supply the certificates with the goods and keep them on file for each batch, so the project manager and the fire safety consultant have everything they need for approvals.
How we work on contract projects
We choose with you fabrics already certified for the destination country. Many contract fabrics carry several certifications at once (for example Classe 1, M1 and B1), which is convenient for groups operating in several countries. We make the curtains in our workshop in Italy and install them with our own team, in Italy and abroad. See Contract & hospitality and our made-to-measure curtains.
Frequently asked questions
Do private homes need flame-retardant fabrics?
Usually not: the requirements apply to spaces open to the public. They can still be a sensible choice for children’s rooms and attics.
Does washing affect the classification?
Not with inherently flame-retardant fabrics. With treated fabrics it can, over time: follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ask whether the treatment needs renewing.
Can you supply certificates for a hotel abroad?
Yes, we choose fabrics with the certification required in the destination country and deliver it with the goods.
This guide is for information only: the class required for a specific venue is set by the fire safety engineer according to the regulations in force.
