By
Alex Smith |
Shipowners must ensure that they pick the right materials and products to keep their guests and crew safe from the dangers of a fire at sea. CFR highlights a selection of fabrics approved by the International Maritime Organization that offer both safety and style.
1. The Gardenia collection from Panaz comprises of a range of botanically inspired prints, featuring damask, floral and geometric designs. Available in base cloth options suitable for upholstery, curtains, cushions and accessories, the fabrics have contract-quality flame retardance. Panaz’s Shieldplus antimicrobial technology prevents the fabric being contaminated by viruses and bacteria throughout its entire lifecycle.
2. Dansk Wilton’s Colortec Origin carpet solution is created using undyed yarns in a blend of 80 per cent wool and 20 per cent nylon and has achieved both Cradle to Cradle and Indoor Air Climate Gold certification for its safe and sustainable production. The fabric is available in a palette of eight yarns, which were created by mixing raw wool of different colours from different sheep breeds. It also features an integrated felt backing, which is designed to allow for easy and comfortable handling during installation.
3. Rio is the latest addition to Morbern Europe’s Splash Collection, which includes multi-direction backing fabric for a more balanced stretch and creaseless finish. Rio is suitable for both indoor and outdoor upholstery and can be cleaned using both bleach and alcohol. The fabric is available in seven metallic hues, which can be combined with plain colours in the Splash and Splash Ripples collections. Rio is also phthalate-free, vegan and produced with bio-based plasticiser derived from sustainably grown soya bean oil.
4. Skopos Fabrics’ Herriot collection is inspired by wool and features a natural texture, a waterproof layer, antimicrobial protection, and is soil resistant. Herriot has been developed using new back-coating technology to minimise the use of chemicals while providing flame retardance. The fabric is available in four designs, including a large-scale hearthside check, a contemporary tailored diamond, a two-tone basket weave and a bold dogtooth, which can be produced in a mix of neutral and bright tones.
5. Cotting Group’s 100 per cent polyester fabric Bakero is coated with PVC to create a textile denim look and is available in a range of 26 colours. The fabric features C-VÅRD, a new coating developed by Cotting to provide protection against stains, soiling and contamination. The coating also means the fabric can be washed with soapy water. BAKERO has also been tested for more than 1,000 hours to ensure it provides high ultraviolet resistance, allowing it to withstand long-term exposure to sun and water in outdoor areas on ships.
6. Delius’s Delimar indoor and outdoor fabrics are resistant to both chlorine and seawater, making them ideal for use in outside spaces onboard cruise vessels. The fabric does not require any chemical additives, making it suitable for allergy sufferers, and is both machine washable and fast drying to help prevent the build-up of mould and bacteria. The Delimar range is available in a selection of weave structures and colours.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2022 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
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