Wool & Fire Safety Facts 
Research indicates that wool used in apparel and furnishing textiles can provide a greater level of fire safety than other fibres:
- Wool is difficult to ignite (570-600 °C) compared to Cotton (255 °C) or Polyester (485-560°C)
- Wool does not melt, unlike polyester and nylon, which melt at 252-292°C and 160-260°C respectively
- Wool, even when warm, does not stick to the skin
- Wool does not produce toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures
How Wool Resists Flame
It’s simple: Wool’s inherent fire resistance comes from its naturally high nitrogen and water content. Wool needs a lot of oxygen around it in order to burn, more than is normally present.
Wool may be ignited if subjected to a significantly powerful heat source, but does not normally support flame. Wool may smoulder, usually only for a short time.
Chemically, wool’s cross-linked cell membrane structure swells when heated to the point of combustion, forming an insulating layer that prevents the spread of flame.
Putting Wool to Use
Wool’s flame-resistant properties make it an ideal fibre for interiors such as carpets, curtains, upholstery and bedding, helping to reduce the risk of fire spreading within a house or other building. Wool textiles are also used widely in personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect firemen, military personnel and anyone else exposed to fire or explosives. Wool’s characteristic of only smouldering and not melting or dripping onto skin, can be a lifesaver.
