Primacoustic foam products are made using Primafoam, a high-density, open-cell acoustic foam that is made from a polyurethane composition. During the manufacturing process, the foam is impregnated with a flame-retardant chemical that has the effect of retarding or slowing the foam from flame ignition. Samples of Primafoam are sent to an independent lab where the foam is subjected to tests to meet the stringent California C117 Specification.

Download Primacoustic's California C117 fire retardant test (200 kb)

The State of California imposes a restrictive code on all manufactured products that employ urethane foam as part of their construction to ensure the product will be safe and should a fire ever break out; the residents will have time to evacuate before the foam ignites.

It is important to note that even though we employ a fire retardant in our foam products, all urethane foams will eventually ignite when subjected to sufficiently hot flame. As such, we only recommend using Primacoustic foam products in smoke-free environments and/or rooms that have sprinklers and/or fire extinguishers. As we have no means to control the use or installation of our products, it is clearly understood that the buyer or specifying engineer will take full responsibility for the proper installation of all Primacoustic products. It is also the responsibility of the buyer or specifying engineer to contact the local building authorities should one intend to use our products in a commercial or public building.

Q: Can Primacoustic panels be used in public areas?
A: The flammability concerns for public areas such as school gymnasiums and evacuation corridors are quite different than audio-visual departments as the product used in these environments must not be able to ignite under any condition. We do not recommend using our product in these environments due to the nature of the application. This does not mean that a school cannot use Primacoustic in their studio. They should, however, make sure that the studio is equipped with sprinklers.

Q: What are other manufacturers using?
A: Primacoustic and Auralex use the same California 117 code. Sonex uses an ASTM rating as their customers tend to be more industrial in nature and require specific tests. All companies recommend that the user or specifying engineer ensure the application is suitable for the given product.

Q: Can fire treated foam burn?
A: Concrete can be made to burn if the fire is hot enough. The idea behind treating Primacoustic with a retardant is to allow the individuals in a burning house to evacuate the building before smoke from the fire can cause harm. People do not die in fires due to burning. The oxygen is depleted or the smoke and gasses cause choking and the individual loses consciousness.

We believe that the safest and most beneficial method of treating urethane foam is by embedding a fire retardant chemical into the raw materials before the foam is manufactured. This is why all of our Primacoustic products are treated in this manner.