Flame Retardant vs Non-FR Shrink Wrap: When Each Type Is Required

Feb 1st 2026

If you use shrink wrap for scaffolding enclosures, weatherization, dust containment, blasting containments, or equipment protection, you will eventually run into this question: do you need flame retardant (FR) shrink wrap, or is standard non-FR film acceptable?

The answer is not “FR is always required” or “non-FR is fine.” Requirements typically come from one of four places: the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) like the fire marshal or building official, jobsite safety rules, the project specification, or the facility owner’s policies. Your goal is to choose the film that meets the requirement and matches the risk profile of the job, without overbuying for applications that do not call for it.

This guide explains what FR actually means, how NFPA 701 and ASTM E84 relate to shrink wrap, and how to decide which film belongs on your project.

What “flame retardant” means, and what it does not mean

Flame retardant shrink wrap is a polyethylene shrink film manufactured with additives that reduce flame propagation. In practical terms, FR film is designed to resist sustaining combustion and slow flame spread compared to non-FR film. That is why it is frequently specified around occupied structures, hot work, and enclosed jobsite conditions.

It is also important to be clear about what FR film is not.

  • FR does not mean fireproof.

It can still melt, deform, and be damaged by heat. It can still contribute smoke in a fire scenario. The value of FR film is that it helps reduce how quickly fire can spread across the film surface under test conditions and, in many installations, it reduces risk compared to non-FR film.

When a project requires FR, the expectation is usually documentation, not guesswork. You are commonly expected to provide a certificate or specification sheet showing the film meets a recognized fire test standard.

Non-FR shrink wrap, why it is common, and where it fits

Non-FR shrink wrap is the standard version of heat shrink film. It is used widely because it is cost-effective, often available in clear formulations for visibility, and performs well for weather protection and packaging when a fire certification is not required.

Non-FR film is a strong fit for applications where the film is primarily serving as a protective skin against weather, dust, road spray, or UV exposure, and where there is not a code, spec, or policy requiring FR material. Examples include many equipment wraps, transport protection, pallet covers, and a large portion of marine shrink wrapping.

Non-FR can still be heavy duty. Thickness, resin blends, and UV inhibitor packages can make non-FR films extremely durable. The difference is that non-FR films are not sold primarily to meet a flame propagation requirement.

The standards you will see most often: NFPA 701 and ASTM E84

Most “FR required” conversations tie back to one or both of these standards. They are not interchangeable, and they are used for different reasons.

NFPA 701

NFPA 701 establishes fire test methods for evaluating flame propagation of textiles and films. Because shrink wrap is a film, NFPA 701 is a common reference point when a project needs documented flame resistance for flexible membrane materials. In some situations, code language for temporary membrane structures also points directly to NFPA 701 compliance documentation.

ASTM E84

ASTM E84 is a test method used to determine the relative surface burning behavior of materials by measuring flame spread and smoke developed indices. You will see E84 referenced frequently in construction contexts because it is widely recognized in building code compliance conversations, and it produces the Class A, B, C style classifications that many project teams and inspectors are familiar with.

Why both may show up on the same project

Some projects use NFPA 701 because the material is a film or membrane, while ASTM E84 is used because the project team wants a familiar building material fire performance metric. It is common to see a jobsite require NFPA 701 compliance and also request an ASTM E84 Class A result, especially for enclosures on occupied sites.

When flame retardant shrink wrap is required

A film is “required” when the project documents, codes, or the AHJ say it is. What follows are the most common real-world situations where that requirement appears, and why it shows up there.

1. Temporary membrane structures and public-facing enclosures

Some structures are regulated as tents, temporary special event structures, or membrane structures. These categories often require the membrane material to be documented as flame resistant, typically through NFPA 701 compliance documentation. Even when a shrink wrap enclosure is not literally a tent, it can be treated similarly if it functions as a membrane structure in a public or occupied setting.

What to do on these jobs
Confirm early whether the enclosure is being reviewed under temporary membrane structure requirements. If yes, plan to provide documentation, not only the film.

2. Interior renovation dust barriers and temporary partitions

Hospitals, schools, airports, and other occupied facilities often have strict rules for temporary barriers. A common expectation is that plastic sheeting and barrier materials meet a flame propagation standard and that the material is labeled and documented.

This is not only about code. It is also about risk management in buildings where ignition sources and evacuation complexity are higher.

What to do on these jobs
Treat the facility policy as part of the specification. Ask what standard they require and whether they expect labeling on the material itself.

3. Scaffolding enclosures and work areas with hot work exposure

When a scaffold is wrapped to create an enclosure for painting, coating removal, abrasive blasting, or weatherization, the enclosure can concentrate fire risk. Hot work like welding, grinding, torch cutting, or even certain heating operations can create sparks and ignition potential.

FR film is commonly specified in these environments because it is one layer of risk reduction when ignition sources exist in the work zone.

Important nuance
OSHA scaffolding rules address scaffold safety broadly, but the “FR vs non-FR” requirement usually comes from fire code enforcement, contract documents, or the site safety plan, not an OSHA paragraph that explicitly mandates “FR shrink wrap.” Your job is still the same. Identify the controlling requirement and document compliance.

4. Environmental containments for lead paint, asbestos, and industrial surface prep

Containment work has its own layer of documentation and oversight. Many containment specifications reference industry containment guidance and require a controlled enclosure that is durable, sealed, and safe. On large projects, containment design is commonly reviewed, and fire safety requirements often show up as part of that review.

If the containment is on an occupied structure, in an urban area, or includes heat sources and equipment inside, FR film becomes the default choice more often.

Containment guidance note
SSPC Guide 6 is widely referenced in the coating removal world, and it is frequently used as a containment classification reference point on bridge and industrial projects.

5. When the general contractor or insurer requires it

Even when local code does not explicitly force the decision, many GCs standardize on FR materials for certain job types. Insurers may also have guidance around temporary enclosures and flame spread risk. The practical outcome is that FR film is sometimes “required” because it is written into the project’s risk controls.

What to do on these jobs
Do not fight the requirement late. Treat it as a procurement constraint, and make sure you can provide documentation quickly.

When non-FR shrink wrap is typically the right choice

Non-FR film is often the correct decision when you are not in a code-driven or policy-driven environment, and when the primary risk is weather and physical exposure, not ignition.

1. Equipment storage, transport, and general industrial protection

If you are wrapping machinery, crates, modular components, pallets, or industrial assets for outdoor storage and transport, the job is usually about a tight weather seal and puncture resistance. Visibility can also matter, which is where clear general purpose shrink wrap is commonly used.

Non-FR film is widely used in these scenarios because it is efficient and fits the risk profile.

2. Marine shrink wrapping and seasonal storage

Marine shrink wrapping frequently uses non-FR film with UV inhibitor packages suited for seasonal exposure. The decision can shift if a boat is stored inside a facility that has FR requirements, but for many outdoor storage scenarios, non-FR marine film is the norm.

3. Construction weatherization where no fire spec is present

Some construction weather protection projects use non-FR film, especially when the enclosure is outside, away from ignition sources, and not treated as a public or occupied membrane structure. That said, weatherization jobs can still be subject to GC rules, hot work conditions, or local AHJ requirements. The deciding factor is always the controlling spec and enforcement environment, not assumptions.

FR vs non-FR: a practical comparison

Factor Flame Retardant (FR) Shrink Wrap Non-FR Shrink Wrap
Primary purpose Reduce flame propagation risk under recognized test methods Weatherization and protection where flame certification is not required
Common standards referenced NFPA 701, often paired with ASTM E84 requests Not typically sold on fire test compliance
Typical job types Occupied sites, containments, scaffold enclosures, interior barriers, hot work environments Equipment storage, packaging, many marine wraps, general protection
Documentation expectations Certificates, spec sheets, sometimes printed identification on film Usually no fire documentation required
Cost Higher due to additives and compliance documentation Lower, often more options for clarity and general use

This table is not a substitute for project requirements. It helps you predict which direction the job is likely to go.

How to confirm you have the right film on a job that requires FR

If you are supplying film to a site that requires FR, your success is often decided by documentation and labeling.

Keep the documentation attached to the job file

Most teams want a clear paper trail that connects the roll used on site to a documented standard. Save:

  • Product page or spec sheet
  • Certificate indicating NFPA 701 compliance, if applicable
  • ASTM E84 test results if requested
  • Lot or roll identification details when available

Watch for “FR requested” language that hides inside the spec

Sometimes the project does not say “flame retardant shrink wrap” explicitly. It may say:

  • Membrane must be flame resistant and documented
  • Temporary enclosures must meet NFPA 701
  • Barrier materials must meet ASTM E84 Class A or equivalent
  • Provide flame resistance certificate on request

When you see these phrases, assume you will need to supply proof.

Choosing confidently: a quick decision checklist

Use this checklist before you buy film for a project:

  • Is the enclosure inside an occupied building or attached to an occupied structure?
  • Is the enclosure being treated as a temporary membrane or public-facing structure?
  • Is hot work happening inside or near the enclosure?
  • Does the project spec, GC, or facility policy call out NFPA 701 or ASTM E84?
  • Will the AHJ or fire marshal inspect or request documentation?

If you answer yes to any of these, FR film is often the safe procurement choice, and it may be required.
If all answers are no, non-FR film is often the right fit, assuming it meets the durability and UV needs of the application.

Pro-Tect Plastics film options that map to these use cases

These examples are included to help you connect the “FR vs non-FR” decision to real product categories and documentation.

FAQs

Is flame retardant shrink wrap required on every scaffold wrap job?

Not automatically. Many scaffold enclosures do require FR film based on project specs, the presence of hot work, the enclosure’s relationship to occupancy, or AHJ enforcement. The deciding factor is the controlling requirement on that job.

If my film meets NFPA 701, does that mean it meets ASTM E84 too?

Not necessarily. NFPA 701 and ASTM E84 test different things. Some films have documentation for both, but you should verify with the supplier documentation rather than assume.

Does FR shrink wrap cost more because it is thicker?

Thickness and FR are separate choices. Many FR shrink wraps are sold in heavier thicknesses because the common use cases demand durability, but the FR additives and testing documentation are the core reason pricing differs.

What should I do if the spec is unclear?

Ask the GC or facility contact what standard they are enforcing and whether the AHJ will review the enclosure. If the answer is still unclear and the job is high risk, FR film is often the safer choice from a compliance standpoint.