1.Basic Knowledge of Fire Retardant Leather: From Material Principle to Fire Retardant Technology System
1.1 Definition and Basic Characteristics of Fire Retardant Leather
Fire Retardant Leather refers to the functional material which can slow down the combustion, extinguish automatically, reduce the smoke and toxic emission when contacted by fire source by adding fire retardant ingredients, chemical treatment or structural design. Unlike ordinary leather, which can scorch or burn under direct flame, flame retardant leather is specially treated to make it safer in high-risk environments such as rail transportation, aircraft cabins, automobiles and furniture.
Its core features include:
Self-extinguishing: the material will extinguish itself after the source of ignition has left it
Low smoke and toxicity: reduces harmful fumes and improves escape safety
High temperature resistance: delayed destruction by flames
Compliance with international safety standards
Flame retardant leather is not only a material, but also a "public safety project".
1.2 The importance of flame retardant: related to personal escape and public space safety
In a fire, 70% of the fatal factor is not the flame itself, but the poisonous smoke and rapid combustion caused by the uncontrolled fire. Leather, as a high-frequency interior material, will significantly increase the spread of fire if it does not have flame retardant treatment.
The value of flame retardant leather:
Delay the spread of flame, for people to escape to buy more time
Reduces smoke generation and improves visibility in public spaces.
Reduces toxic gas emissions, reducing the risk of fatalities
Meets legal safety standards for all industries and avoids project review failures
Flame retardancy is not just a function, it is a responsibility.
1.3 The principle of flame retardant leather: a systematic project from the base fabric to the top layer
The source of flame retardancy of flame retardant leather mainly includes three main technical systems:
① Additive flame retardant (Additive FR)
Add flame retardant directly into PVC, PU resin and base cloth, so that the material has self-extinguishing property from inside.
Characteristics: Long-lasting flame retardant, not easy to be lost, high passability.
Fields: automobiles, hotel furniture, commercial seats
②Top-Coating FR (Flame Retardant)
Flame retardant film is formed on the surface of leather by spraying, impregnating, hot pressing and other processes.
Characteristics: low cost, applicable to many types of substrates.
Disadvantage: Flame retardant may gradually decay with use.
③Inherent FR
The material itself has a flame retardant structure, such as using inherently FR fiber or high performance resin.
Characteristics: Highest level of flame retardancy
Applications: aviation, subway, high-speed rail, yacht.
④ Composite flame retardant system (Multi-layer FR System)
Used in aviation, rail transportation, and other fields where multiple tests need to be met. Usually consists of:
Combined together, really realize the high level of security.
2.Key performance advantages of flame retardant leather
2.1 Flame retardant performance: automatic extinguishing, fire diffusion, low smoke and toxicity
The core characteristic of flame retardant leather is its excellent flame retardant performance. This means that when the fabric comes into contact with an ignition source, it is able to effectively slow or stop the spread of flame, thereby reducing the risk of fire. The core capabilities of flame retardant leather include:
These properties are derived from rigorous combustion laboratory tests such as:
Vertical Flame Test
Horizontal Test
Smoke Density Test
Heat Release Test
2.2 Mechanical durability: abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, ageing resistance
Flame-retardant leather in the manufacture of both wear-resistant and anti-aging, suitable for long-term use, contact with high friction environment places, such as transportation, public places, etc., the requirements of high-frequency use can still maintain the integrity of the flame-retardant function. High quality flame retardant leather has:
Abrasion resistance of more than 30,000 times
The surface is not easily scratched
UV resistant (for outdoor use)
Resistant to seawater corrosion (for yachts)
Not easy to aging and cracking
2.3 Environmentally friendly: halogen-free, heavy metal-free, and compliant with global regulations
Flame retardant leather does not release toxic gases when burning, which is harmless to the environment and human body. This characteristic makes flame retardant fabrics safer in the fields of firefighting and medical treatment. At the same time, with the improvement of people's awareness of environmental protection, more and more consumers began to pay attention to the environmental performance of textiles. Flame retardant fabrics as a kind of environmental protection and non-toxic textiles, is gradually favored by consumers. Environmental protection flame retardant leather must meet:
REACH regulation
RoHS-qualified substances
Halogen free flame retardant system
Low VOC emission standards
2.4 Beautiful and comfortable: close to the texture of high-end leather
Nowadays, flame retardant leather can be similar to or even better than ordinary leather in terms of feel, color and texture, which is an important trend to replace natural leather with both functionality and aesthetics. Modern flame retardant leather can be realized:
A variety of textures (NAPPA, lychee grain, cold pressing grain, etc.)
A variety of touch (soft, delicate, leather wax feeling, half lychee, etc.)
Customized colors
High-end appearance
2.5 Easy to maintain: high-frequency cleaning for commercial environments
Flame-retardant leather has a protective layer on the surface, which is highly stain-resistant and can be kept as new for a long time with a simple wipe, making it suitable for scenes that require frequent cleaning, such as hospitals, catering and hospitality industries. The top layer of flame retardant leather usually has:
anti-bacterial
Anti-fouling
Mildew resistant
Easy to clean
3.the application of flame retardant leather in various industries and corresponding safety standards
3.1 Rail transportation (high-speed rail, subway, light rail)
Rail transportation is a hard requirement in rail transportation. There are strict requirements for fire, smoke and poison, EN45545 not only assesses the spread of combustion after fire, but also strictly determines the smoke density and the amount of toxic gases produced.
Applications:
Seating
Wall cladding
Armrests
Acoustic panel leather
Core Standard:
EN45545-2 (Highest European Standard) Required to meet ratings HL1, HL2, HL3, R18-21, etc.
NFPA130 class (American standard)
STM-S-001 grade (French standard)
BS-6853 grade (British Standard)
Smoke density, toxicity, and heat release are all tested.
3.2 Aerospace (airplane seats, wall panels)
Aviation is the field with the highest requirements for flame retardant leather among all industries. Aviation has very high standards for material combustion characteristics, smoke density and toxicity (e.g. FAR25.853). Flame-retardant leathers used in aviation must have a composite flame-retardant structure and must pass specialized aviation tests.
Must pass:
Core Standard:
ABD 0031 (Airbus Standard)
FAR 25.853 (American Standard)
CCAR 25.853 (Chinese Standard)
3.3 Automotive interiors (passenger cars, buses, school buses)
Automobile seats, door panels, etc. need to meet the burning speed requirements (e.g. maximum burning rate limit) such as FMVSS 302, so the flame retardant treatment of artificial leather is often widely used. Application parts:
Seats
Center console covering
Door panels
Core Standard:
FMVSS 302
ISO 3795
GB 8410
GB 38262-2019
3.4 Furniture and interior design (hotels, theaters, hospitals)
The use of flame retardant leather in crowded places such as hotel lobbies, meeting rooms, theaters, etc. can reduce the risk of initial fire spread in order to enhance safety. Applications include:
Sofas
Seats
Wall upholstery
Medical seating
Core Standard:
3.5 Yachts, ships, outdoor equipment (marine grade flame retardant leather)
Marine and outdoor environments require UV-resistant, salt spray-resistant and flame-retardant materials. Flame-retardant artificial leather is commonly used for yacht interiors and tents, camping furniture and so on. Need to meet:
Resistant to seawater
UV resistant
Anti-mold
Core Standard:
imo a.652(16)8.2
(SOLAS) IMO MSC 307 (88)
3.6 Building Materials (Public Prosecution and Judicial Institutions, Public Places)
Flame retardant leather in buildings is required to prevent impact damage, inhibit the spread of flame, absorb noise and enhance the safety of the space.
Applications include:
Walls of interview rooms, interrogation rooms and detention rooms in public prosecution and judicial institutions
Walls and furniture in cinemas, hospitals, gymnasiums and other public places
Core Standard:
3.7 Baby products and other industries
The use of low-toxicity flame retardant materials for baby strollers, child seats, etc. can reduce the risk of accidents to a certain extent. Performance stages, gymnasiums, medical equipment cladding, etc. may require flame retardant materials to enhance overall fire safety. Example:
Baby seats
Stadium soft covers
Medical mattresses
Protective equipment
Core standards:
4.Flame Retardant Leather Testing and Certification: International Standard System Details
4.1 ISO and ASTM series test
Common test reports will clearly list the test items (e.g. burning time, burning length, whether dripping, smoke density, toxic gas analysis, etc.) and results. Including: ISO 5660, ASTM E662 Smoke Density, ASTM D6413 Vertical Burning.
ASTMD6413 (vertical burning test) is a common test method for textiles and certain composite materials, and the report will show indicators such as "after-flametime" and "charlength". If you see the report with these items and laboratory qualification when purchasing, the credibility will be much higher.
![ISO and ASTM series test]()
4.2 British and American standards (BS and NFPA series)
France NFPA, British BS (such as BS5852) and other standards in the report in the form of a number or test method. Test certificates are usually accompanied by the name of the laboratory, report number and date of test, the image should contain the laboratory header page and key data page, so that we can judge that the certificate is true and has not been tampered with.
![British and American standards (BS and NFPA series)]()
4.3 Description of the test method
Professional laboratories will have videos of combustion tests (e.g. combustion process, flame spread, dripping, smoke color observation), as well as graphical data (heat release rate, smoke density curve, flame height measurement, smoke density, self-extinguishing time). If you can provide a clear video with a laboratory stamped report, this is the most direct proof.
5.Genuine leather vs artificial leather: why flame retardant artificial leather is more suitable for modern safety engineering
5.1 Genuine leather reaction to fire
Natural leather will carbonize in fire, the surface will char and shrink, but its burning behavior is affected by the tanning process, oil content, etc., performance varies. Sometimes leather will continue to burn at high temperatures and produce a strong odor. Reactions of leather to fire include:
Contains oils and fats and produces smoke easily
Flames are not easy to control
Pungent odor
Unable to meet the high level of flame retardant standards
5.2 Advantages of artificial flame retardant leather
Artificial leathers (particularly specially formulated flame retardant artificial leathers) are more likely to consistently meet regulatory requirements due to the ability to incorporate or formulate flame retardant components at the production stage and the fact that the formulation can be controlled to meet specific criteria. The advantages of flame retardant leathers include:
More structural stability
Higher levels of flame retardancy
Intrinsic flame retardancy can be achieved
Lower smoke levels
More controllable costs
5.3 Performance Comparison Table
Overall, man-made flame retardant leather is more likely to comply with modern standards in terms of burning speed, smoke density and toxicity control. Genuine leather may have an advantage in terms of feel and breathability, but without professional flame retardant treatment, its fire fighting performance is not comparable to that of certified man-made flame retardant leather.
| Item | Genuine leather | Flame retardant artificial leather |
| Flame retardant | Poor | Strong, up to EN45545, FAR25.853 and other international certification standards |
| Smoke toxicity | High | Low |
| Environmentally friendly | Difficult to control | Controllable |
| Cost | High | Medium to low |
| Customizability | Low | High |
6.flame retardant leather maintenance way: to ensure the comfort and fire performance of long-term effective
6.1 Daily cleaning
Daily: wipe with a slightly damp soft cloth and remove stains gently; avoid using cleaners containing alcohol, strong acid or strong alkali. For stubborn stains, prioritize consulting the supplier or using their recommended professional cleaners. Included:
6.2 Methods to maintain fire resistance
Avoid scratching with sharp objects or prolonged exposure to the sun. If sewing or modification is required, try to inform the supplier to avoid damaging the fire retardant layer. If the leather surface is damaged or peeled, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid affecting the fire retardant performance. Include:
Avoid contact with strong solvents
Avoid continuous baking at high temperatures
Protecting the surface structure
6.3 Storage and use recommendations
Keep dry and ventilated to avoid moisture and mold. When storing for a long period of time, it is best to lay it flat or roll it up and place it in a breathable bag to avoid deterioration caused by moisture and mold. Include:
7.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
7.1 Can artificial leather be flame retardant?
"It depends on the specific material and whether it has passed the flame retardant certification. Untreated general artificial leather is not flame retardant, and labeled "flame retardant" and have a report of the product can be self-extinguishing or slow burning under certain conditions, reducing the risk of spreading. Be sure to ask for test reports when purchasing.
7.2 flame retardant leather is safe?
Modern flame retardant systems use environmentally friendly non-halogenated formulations, which are safe and reliable.
Flame retardant fabrics can reduce the risk of fire to a large extent, using environmentally friendly halogen-free formulations, safe and reliable. They reduce the risk of fire spread and toxic gas release, but cannot guarantee that they will not burn under any extreme conditions. Correct selection, compliant installation and maintenance are equally important.
7.3 How to recognize whether it is flame retardant leather?
Ask the supplier to provide authoritative test reports (e.g. FMVSS302, EN45545, FAR25.853, UL94, ASTMD6413, etc.), and check the header of the report, the laboratory qualification, the date of the test and the specific test data. Don't use products in safety-sensitive scenarios without a report. Always check:
Labeling
Test Report
Certification number
7.4 Where can I buy high quality flame retardant leather?
It can be purchased through professional leather suppliers, through transportation/aviation material supply chain, furniture material manufacturers or certified trading platforms, such as Caiwing Leather, please be sure to ask for and check the test report and samples before purchasing.
