Buyer Question
Is Fire-Retardant the Same as Fireproof?
No. Fire-retardant foliage is tested to control flame spread once ignited, not to be non-combustible. No decorative foliage is fireproof, and any supplier claiming otherwise is using the word loosely.
What the rating actually saysNFPA 701 measures afterflame, afterglow and char length. It demonstrates controlled behaviour in fire, which is what a fire consultant needs for a submittal.
Why precision mattersWriting fireproof into a specification sets an impossible acceptance criterion. Fire-retardant to a named standard is testable and defensible.
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Follow-Up Questions
Related Questions
Yes, when it is documented to the standard the specification names — NFPA 701, EN 13501 or the local equivalent. That is why reports are archived per order.
No. Write the named standard instead. It is testable, and it is what suppliers can actually evidence.
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