How Much Do You Know About Fireproof Fabrics: From GB Standards to UL Certification, Understand Fire Ratings in One Article

website：advancetex.co

In modern society, ensuring the safety of life and property is paramount, and fireproof materials play a vital role. Fireproof fabrics, as a key component, are widely used in construction, industry, and firefighting. Faced with a wide variety of fireproof fabrics on the market with different properties, are you confused about their fire ratings? How can you choose truly safe and reliable fireproof fabrics? This article will provide you with an in-depth and easy-to-understand explanation of the mysteries of fireproof fabrics, from common fabric types and core characteristics to authoritative domestic and international fire rating standards, helping you to understand fire ratings and choose the right "fire guardian" in one read.

Unveiling the Family of Fireproof Fabrics: Each with Its Strengths, Wide Applications

Fireproof fabrics are not made of a single material but are ingeniously combined with various materials and processes according to different application scenarios and performance requirements. They are like a powerful family, each with its specialties, playing an irreplaceable role in different fields. Common "family members" mainly include the following:

Silicone Cloth (Silicone Coated Fiberglass Fabric): Flexible Fireproof All-rounder

Main Composition: High-strength fiberglass fabric coated with high-performance silicone rubber on the surface.
Key Skills: Good temperature resistance (long-term stable operation around 250℃, short-term can withstand 280℃ high temperature), while also possessing excellent flexibility and weather resistance, like a "soft armor," it is both fireproof and flexible. Even more commendable, it also has excellent chemical corrosion resistance and electrical insulation, making it a true "all-rounder."
Typical Applications: Removable insulation covers (e.g., valve, pipe, equipment insulation covers, dressing industrial equipment in "energy-saving and warm clothes"), flexible fireproof connectors (e.g., fan, smoke exhaust flexible connectors, providing "flexible fireproof joints" for piping systems), welding blankets (ground protection blankets laid during welding operations or vertically suspended welding curtains, effectively blocking welding sparks).

High Silica Cloth (High Silica Cloth): "Fireground Elite" for Extreme Temperature Resistance

Main Composition: Special fiberglass with a silicon dioxide (SiO2) content of over 96%.
Key Skills: Can withstand unimaginable extreme high temperatures (long-term working temperature up to 1000℃, short-term even up to 1200℃!), and its thermal insulation and ablation resistance are first-class, making it a true "fireground elite."
Typical Applications: Welding and cutting protection (resisting high-temperature flames and molten metal splashes, protecting welding workers' safety), kiln fire curtains (insulation curtains for industrial kiln mouths, fire and thermal insulation curtains for tunnel kilns, building a safety barrier for high-temperature operations), aerospace insulation (insulation layers for rocket engines, spacecraft cabins, safeguarding cutting-edge technology).

Fiberglass Cloth (Fiberglass Cloth): Economical and Practical "Fireproof Cornerstone"

Main Composition: Woven from fiberglass yarn, it is the most basic and common fireproof fabric.
Key Skills: Temperature resistance up to 550℃, inherently fireproof and non-combustible, and also possesses good insulation and corrosion resistance, serving as a "cornerstone" in the field of fire protection.
Typical Applications: Fire blankets (common fire extinguishing tools in homes, laboratories, factories), welding protection blankets (economical and practical protective materials for welding operations, can be made into personal welding protective clothing or welding work area partitions), fire curtains (fire shutters in shopping malls, stage fire curtains, constructing internal fire compartments in buildings), removable insulation cover base material (compounded with other materials to make high-performance insulation covers).

Steel Wire Cloth (Steel Wire Cloth / Steel Wire Reinforced Fiberglass Cloth): Strong and Reliable "High-Temperature Guardian"

Main Composition: Steel wire ingeniously incorporated into fiberglass yarn for reinforcement.
Key Skills: Temperature resistance 650℃, significantly enhanced strength and thermal shock resistance, not easy to deform at high temperatures, like a "high-temperature guardian" with "steel bones and iron muscles," it is more robust and reliable.
Typical Applications: Electric welding fire curtains (fixed protective curtains for welding, cutting, and other high-temperature operations), high-temperature insulation covers (protecting equipment and pipelines from high-temperature radiation), kiln insulation (insulation for industrial kilns, smelting furnaces, and other high-temperature equipment).

PTFE Cloth (PTFE Coated Fiberglass Cloth): "Special Forces" for Corrosion Resistance and Non-Stick Properties

Main Composition: Special polymer material PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) resin coated on the surface of fiberglass fabric.
Key Skills: Temperature resistance 350℃, its most prominent feature is "impenetrable"—resistant to chemical corrosion, capable of resisting the erosion of strong acids, strong alkalis, and other harsh chemical environments; at the same time, it also has "non-stick pan" properties—excellent surface non-stickiness and extremely low friction coefficient, making it a "special force" among fireproof fabrics.
Typical Applications: Corrosion-resistant cladding (chemical pipelines, anti-corrosion linings for storage tanks), high-temperature conveyor belts (clean conveying in food, pharmaceutical, and other industries), architectural membranes (ETFE membrane base fabric, used for constructing large venues and landscape buildings).

Vermiculite Coated Fiberglass Cloth (Vermiculite Coated Fiberglass Cloth): "Armored Warrior" for Abrasion and Ablation Resistance

Main Composition: Fiberglass fabric innovatively coated with natural mineral vermiculite on the surface.
Key Skills: Temperature resistance 800℃, the vermiculite coating is like putting a tough "armor" on the fiberglass fabric, greatly enhancing its abrasion resistance and fire penetration resistance, making it more resistant to direct flame impact and long-term burning.
Typical Applications: Welding protection (welding operations requiring higher abrasion resistance and ablation resistance, such as heavy-duty welding, robotic welding), high-temperature sealing (used in high-temperature furnace doors, expansion joints, etc., providing more reliable sealing and fire protection), electric welding fireproof insulation covers (providing more durable fire and thermal insulation protection for equipment in harsh working conditions), household fire pit mats (laid under outdoor fire pits and grills to protect the ground and lawn).

Aramid Silicone Cloth (Aramid Silicone Cloth): Lightweight and High-Strength "Special Ops Elite"

Main Composition: High-performance aramid fiber fabric as the base material, with silicone coating on the surface.
Key Skills: Temperature resistance 200℃, a perfect combination of lightweight and high strength. Aramid fiber itself is known for its high strength and toughness, coupled with the sealing and weather resistance of silicone, making it a "special ops elite" among fireproof fabrics.
Typical Applications: Fireproof clothing (protective clothing worn by firefighters and personnel in special industries), aerospace (aircraft interior components, thermal insulation components, areas with strict weight and strength requirements), military (bulletproof vests, stab-resistant vests, etc.).

Decoding Fire Ratings: From GB Standards to UL Certification, EN Standards Fully Explained

Fire rating is a core indicator for evaluating the performance of fireproof fabrics, acting like the fabric's "fireproof ID card," directly related to the effectiveness of safety protection. Currently, there are various fire rating evaluation standards internationally, among which the most representative include China's GB Standard, the United States' UL Certification, and Europe's EN Standard.

1. China GB Standard (Guobiao Standard): The "National Benchmark" for Building Material Fire Protection

GB 8624 "Classification for burning behavior of building materials and products" is China's most authoritative national standard in the field of building material fire protection. It acts like a "national benchmark," strictly measuring the burning performance of building materials and providing an important guarantee for building fire safety.

Historical Development: The GB 8624 standard has undergone multiple revisions. GB 8624-2006 once classified the burning performance of building materials and products into seven grades: A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, with A being the highest grade, representing non-combustible materials. However, GB 8624-2012 is the currently effective version. It simplified and upgraded the 2006 version, adjusting the grades to four: A, B1, B2, B3, and aligned with the European EN13501-1 standard system, adopting stricter European standard criteria to comprehensively enhance fire safety requirements for building materials. Although GB 8624-2006 has been replaced by the new standard, you may still see the 2006 version's grade classification in some historical data or old product labels.

Grade Interpretation (GB 8624-2012):

Grade	Burning Performance Description	Notes
Grade A	Non-combustible	Almost no combustion occurs, very low fire risk
Grade B1	Flame-retardant	Difficult to ignite, or very slow flame spread after ignition, low fire risk
Grade B2	Combustible	Can be ignited, with a certain flame spread rate, moderate fire risk
Grade B3	Flammable	Easily ignited, fast flame spread, higher fire risk

Understanding GB Fire Ratings: The core of the GB standard lies in evaluating the "burning performance" of materials. The higher the grade, the less likely the material is to be ignited, and even if ignited, the slower the flame spreads, naturally leading to a lower fire hazard. In building fire protection design and material selection, the GB standard's grading is a crucial reference, directly relating to the overall fire safety level of the building.

2. US UL Certification (Underwriters Laboratories): "Authoritative Endorsement" for Product Safety

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is the oldest and most authoritative non-profit safety testing and certification organization in the United States. In the field of fire safety, UL certification is like an "authoritative endorsement," indicating that the product has undergone strict testing and evaluation, complies with American and even international safety standards, and is a symbol of high quality and safety.

UL 94 Flame Retardant Rating: "Combustion Capability Assessment" for Plastic Materials UL 94 is a standard for testing the flammability of plastic materials. By simulating combustion in real fire scenarios, it classifies the flame retardant performance of plastic materials into different grades. Common UL 94 flame retardant grades mainly include V grades and 5V grades. The V grades are further subdivided into V-0, V-1, V-2, while the 5V grades are divided into 5VA and 5VB.

UL 94 V Grades (Vertical Burning Test): Primarily evaluate the burning characteristics of plastic materials under a small flame, with grades from highest to lowest being V-0 > V-1 > V-2.

V-0: Best flame retardancy, requires extinguishing within 10 seconds, and no dripping ignites cotton.
V-1: Good flame retardancy, allows dripping, but cannot ignite cotton.
V-2: Acceptable flame retardancy, allows dripping, which may ignite cotton.

UL 94 5V Grades: 5VA and 5VB are higher grades, simulating more stringent industrial fire environments. 5VA is the highest, requiring no dripping and no burn-through.

UL certification focuses more on product safety, while GB standard focuses on burning performance.

EN Standard Supplement: The Passport for EU Fire Safety

EN 1869 (European Standard for Fire Blankets): Evaluates the ability of fire blankets to extinguish small fires and is the entry standard for fire blanket products in the European market.
EN ISO 14116 (Protective Clothing - Protection against Heat and Flame - Limited Flame Spread Materials): Targets protective clothing materials, evaluating their flame spread performance when exposed to small flames, and is an important reference standard for workwear and protective clothing.
EN 45545 (Railway Applications - Fire Protection on Railway Vehicles): Targets fire safety for railway vehicles. Fireproof fabrics are widely used in railway transportation, and products complying with this standard can meet the stringent fire protection requirements of railway vehicles.
EN 13501-1 (Fire classification of construction products and building elements): The EU standard for fire classification of construction products, aligned with China's GB 8624-2012 standard system, has wide international influence.

The "Golden Rules" for Purchasing Fireproof Fabrics: From Risk Assessment to Brand Reputation

Facing a variety of fireproof fabrics and diverse standards, how can you develop "sharp eyes" to select the "fire guardian" that truly meets your needs? Keep in mind the following "golden rules" to help you make informed choices:

Step One: Risk Assessment First, Clear Needs in Mind

Type of Fire: What type of fire do you need to protect against? Is it welding sparks, radiant heat from high-temperature equipment, or open flames from a building fire? Different types of fires have different performance requirements for fireproof fabrics.
Fire Intensity: Estimate the maximum temperature, flame size, and duration of the fire. Higher fire intensity requires higher temperature resistance and flame retardant performance from the fireproof fabric.
Protection Target: Are you protecting personnel safety, important equipment, or building structures? Different protection targets determine the area, thickness, strength, and other parameters of the fireproof fabric you need to choose.
Environmental Conditions: Is the operating environment indoor or outdoor? Is it humid, high-temperature, low-temperature, or chemically corrosive? Different environmental conditions require fireproof fabrics with corresponding environmental adaptability, such as weather resistance, corrosion resistance, water resistance, etc.
Only by conducting a comprehensive and detailed risk assessment can you truly clarify your performance requirements for fireproof fabrics, thereby avoiding blind choices and ensuring that the selected fireproof fabric genuinely "addresses the root cause."

Step Two: Focus on Fire Ratings, Recognize Authoritative Certifications

Choose Grade as Needed: Based on the risk assessment results, select fabrics with corresponding fire rating certifications. For high-risk areas, it is essential to choose high-grade fireproof fabrics such as GB Grade A or UL V-0, and never take it lightly.
Recognize Authoritative Certifications: Prioritize fireproof fabrics that have passed authoritative certifications. For example, in construction, check if it complies with GB 8624 standard; for export products, check if it has UL certification or EN standard. Recognizing authoritative certifications ensures that fire performance is genuine and reliable.

Step Three: Observe Material Characteristics, Consider Multiple Properties

Temperature Resistance: This is the most core indicator for fireproof fabrics. According to the maximum temperature of the application scenario, choose a fabric with a temperature rating higher than the actual working temperature, leaving a safety margin.
Strength: Consider the mechanical properties of the fabric such as tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance. For example, for welding blankets that require frequent dragging and friction, choose vermiculite coated fiberglass fabric or steel wire cloth with good abrasion resistance.
Flexibility: For applications such as insulation covers and protective clothing that require cutting, sewing, and processing, the flexibility of the fabric directly affects the ease of processing and wearing comfort. Silicone cloth, fiberglass cloth, etc., are relatively soft and easy to process.
Environmental Adaptability: According to the characteristics of the use environment, choose fabrics with properties such as corrosion resistance, weather resistance, and moisture resistance. For example, for outdoor use, choose silicone cloth or PTFE cloth with good weather resistance; for humid environments, choose fabrics with good water resistance; for chemically corrosive environments, choose PTFE cloth or vermiculite coated fiberglass cloth with good corrosion resistance.

Step Four: Review Certification Reports, Have Parameters in Mind

Request Test Reports: Ask the supplier for the product's fire rating certification report and detailed performance test reports. Carefully verify that all parameters in the report comply with the product description and your needs.
Focus on Key Parameters: Pay special attention to key parameters such as temperature rating, flame retardant performance (e.g., afterflame time, smoldering time, damaged length), gram weight, thickness, and strength, ensuring that you are fully aware of the product's performance indicators.

Step Five: Prefer Branded Manufacturers, Worry-Free Reputation Guarantee

Brand Reputation: Choose manufacturers with a good reputation and brand credibility in the field of fireproof materials. Their product quality is more guaranteed, their production processes are more mature, and their after-sales service is more comprehensive.
Manufacturer Scale: Larger manufacturers usually have more advanced production equipment, more complete quality management systems, and relatively more stable and reliable product quality.

Conclusion: Building a Fire Safety Defense Line, Choosing the Right "Fire Guardian"

Although fireproof fabric may seem small, it carries great responsibility. It concerns the safety of life and property and is an important part of building a fire safety defense line. Through the interpretation in this article, you should have a deeper understanding of the types, characteristics, and fire rating standards of fireproof fabrics. By mastering the "golden rules" for purchasing fireproof fabrics, starting from risk assessment, recognizing authoritative certifications, carefully observing material characteristics, reviewing test reports, and preferring branded manufacturers, you will be able to choose the most suitable "fire guardian" for yourself, your family, and your enterprise, building a strong and reliable fire safety barrier.