Spitfire made from thick paper in resin

[Guest Anthony]

I am working closely with Dover harbour board in the newly refurbished cruise terminal western docks- I have made sculpture life size spitfire manufactured in thick paper with a resin interior coat- DHB are asking if its fire resistant- would i be able to coat the interior with something or what sort of risk would it be as a free hanging object in the atrium of the space- could u advise me please

[Tom Sutton]

Assuming there is no mechanical or electrical devices involved and it is a free hanging sculpture in the atrium, out of reach of all the occupants, with no fire risk below (waste bins) then I would consider the source of ignition being low. As a source of fuel it would be high and there is no way of making it fire resistant but it could be made flame retardant by the application of FR spray/paint/lacquer which would ensure the sculpture is a lower source of fuel risk. The people who are the experts, are theatre scenery designers and there are many companies providing the products they need to achieve flame retardant scenery for the stage. The DHB may accept this compromise.

I would suggest you make a visit to your local theatre and surf the web looking for flame retardant products suitable for treating scenery. I would also remind you that there is bound to be upholstered furniture in the building which uses flame retardant means to achieve the match and flame test.

[Guest anthony heywood]

thank you for your response i really apprecite your expereince in how to appraoch this subject- I will be meeting DHB tomorrow and will take your message with me again many thanks

[Tom Sutton]

Check out http://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-retardant-spray/?showAllReviews=true& and http://www.flameguard.nl/en/products/fire-resistant-paper-and-cardboard may find them useful.