Fire Safety Insights

The Affidavit for Inherently Flame-Resistant Material: What You Need to Know

Materials manufactured to be inherently flame resistant may require documentation that identifies the product, manufacturer, and basis for its resistance.

June 19, 2019

Materials manufactured to be inherently flame resistant may require documentation that identifies the product, manufacturer, and basis for its resistance.

Documenting Inherently Resistant Materials

An inherently flame-resistant material is designed and tested to meet a recognized standard without a later topical treatment. Documentation should clearly identify the person issuing it, the relevant Certificate of Fitness information, the manufacturer, and a detailed description of the material and its resistance.

Business owners should keep a copy on site and follow any filing requirements that apply to the installation. Labels and invoices alone may not provide every detail an inspector needs. Confirm the current FDNY process with a qualified professional before installing or relying on the material.

Plan for Compliance and Safety

Requirements depend on the venue, material, installation, and current rules. Have a qualified professional review the project, retain all product and treatment records, and coordinate flameproofing with the rest of the property's fire-safety plan.

Documentation Deserves the Same Attention as Treatment

A flameproofing project is not complete simply because a product was applied. The records connect the establishment, the treated materials, the approved product, the treatment date, and the qualified Certificate of Fitness holder. Missing or inaccurate information can make otherwise completed work difficult to verify during an inspection.

Before work starts, create an inventory that describes the material, its location, approximate quantity, manufacturer information when available, and whether it has been washed, altered, or treated before. Compare that inventory with the final affidavit so items are not omitted and product names are recorded correctly.

Records to Keep Together

The current flameproofing or inherent-resistance affidavit.
The Certificate of Fitness holder's identifying information.
Product sheets and safety data for the treatment used.
Material invoices, labels, test reports, and manufacturer certificates.
Treatment, cleaning, alteration, inspection, and replacement dates.

Store an accessible copy at the venue and keep a secure digital backup. Review the file before an inspection, renovation, seasonal installation, or change of ownership. Current FDNY filing and renewal requirements should always be confirmed with the responsible authority or qualified professional.

Original Topic

Read the original Queens Flameproofing article