Bell tent flammability is a hot topic! When bell tents resurged in popularity in the UK around 2006, it quickly became obvious that bell tents needed to offer some flame retardancy. This was particularly the case for those using bell tent’s at public gatherings such as festivals and similar events. Many organisers would specify that structures had to be flame retardant (with proven certification), and with good reason.

The race to produce a flame retardant cotton canvas was on. But the canvas needed also to remain water resistant – a tough ask for a canvas manufacturer as the treatments used to reach flame retardancy will in turn affect a tents water resistance.

The Manufacturer

All bell tent retailers/manufacturers will choose to present themselves and their product in a certain positive light on-line through their websites and various other platforms. You’ll get a good feel for each supplier by comparing their on-line presence. 

However, there is a lot more to manufacturing bell tents than is presented on-line. All of which have an affect on the quality and longevity of your tent. Here follows a deeper question to ask your supplier, the reason why this question is important, what to make of their response and follow up questions to ask.

Q: Are Your Bell Tents Flameproof?

Why This Question is So Important

This is a question that really sorts the men out from the boys. No tent is flameproof, it’s just not possible. All tents can burn, it is really only the rate of the burn that can be controlled. Tents can only ever claim to be flame resistant – but be careful as there are many different levels of resistance.

There are some pretty ugly tricks played by desperate suppliers whose main aim is simply to sell you their tents. If they are quoting certain standards it will pay for you to check out those standards and make certain they are even applicable to tentage. It’s easy to be misled into thinking the tents you are buying are super-safe and offer flame resistance when a supplier is quoting lots of British, European and International standards at you, but are they really as safe as they seem?

The Response

A good example of a commonly misquoted British Standard is BS 5867. However, this standard sets out the requirements for different ignition levels of fabrics (and fabric combinations) for use as curtains, drapes and window blinds and has nothing to do with testing materials intended for outdoor structures or tentage.

Far better to look for those who are using a testing method specifically intended to measure the flame resistance of fabric used in the manufacturing of camping tents, such as: 

Bell Tent Flammability Tests

• CPAI-84-1995 Specification for flame-resistant materials used in camping tentage. 
• BS 7837:1996 Specification for flammability performance for textiles used in the construction of marquees and similar textile structures.

The Follow Up

If you’re satisfied the standard the supplier is quoting is applicable to bell tents, follow this up by asking to see the results. You’ll want to be certain that: – 

1. The fabric met or exceeded the standard.
2. The tests weren’t carried out in-house, that they were conducted by an accredited third party testing house.
3. All of their flame resistant canvas is tested by batch. Check the dates on any results you’re presented with. Did the supplier test it just the once, or do they continue to test for consistency?
4. The supplier will furnish you with a certificate of compliance for the tents. This may be required for insurance purposes.

Conclusion

Of course, there is always a chance that you’re questioning a re-seller and not the original manufacturer. Don’t allow them to fob you off on these grounds. Ask the re-seller to find out the answer to your questions before proceeding. If they’re unable or unwilling, this would be your time to walk away.

Questions regarding bell tent flammability are too important for your supplier to ignore.

Consider also these further questions you might like to ask your supplier.