IFR velour stage curtains meet NFPA 701 fire codes while providing essential light blocking, acoustic control, and theatrical drape for educational theaters—select 15oz for masking, 23oz for main curtains per ANSI rigging standards.
Stage curtains represent one of the largest fuel loads in performing arts facilities, and their fire safety is governed by two distinct NFPA documents that are frequently confused. NFPA 701 establishes laboratory test methods that determine whether fabrics meet flame propagation requirements, while NFPA 705 is merely a recommended practice for field observations with no correlation to actual compliance. This comprehensive guide examines the regulatory framework from the International Fire Code to jurisdiction-specific requirements in California and New York City, explains the critical differences between inherently flame retardant (IFR) and topically treated (FR) fabrics, and provides actionable compliance strategies for theater technical directors and facilities managers. Understanding these distinctions is essential for maintaining both legal compliance and life safety in educational and professional theater environments.
