You've spent time researching green walls. You know what you want it to look like, roughly where it's going, and you have a budget in mind.
But aside from that, you need to get the product specification right before you order, too.
The Australian climate is unforgiving. UV levels are among the highest in the world and commercial environments carry fire compliance obligations that vary by building type, council area, and how a product is installed.
An artificial green wall that looks identical to one correctly specified for your environment may perform completely differently over time, or fail a compliance inspection entirely.
We work with interior designers, architects, hospitality operators, and residential clients across the country, and the two questions that come up most consistently before a commercial order are the same ones:
-
Does this product have UV protection?
-
Is it fire rated?
They sound straightforward, but the answers are more specific than most suppliers make them out to be.
Here's exactly what UVTex and FireTex mean, which one applies to your project, when you need both, and what to confirm with us before you commit to an order.
What Is UVTex and When Do You Need It?
The climate in Australia can be very harsh. The amount of UV we get is higher than in many other parts of the world, and that’s the physical reality that drives one of the most common problems we solve: a customer who ordered a cheap artificial green wall, installed it outdoors, and watched it fade to yellow-brown within a season.
To avoid this, you need UV resistance, which we’ve talked about in-depth here:
At Designer Plants, we decided to take it up a notch and introduce UVTex, our UV inhibitor technology. With UVTex, we bond inhibitors directly within the leaf material during manufacturing, so they're part of the LDPE raw material itself, not a coating applied to the surface that degrades quickly.
You need UVTex if your installation is:
-
Outdoors in direct or indirect sun
-
In a partially covered outdoor area (verandah, pergola, undercover alfresco) that receives ambient UV
-
Adjacent to a pool, where reflected UV off the water surface intensifies exposure
-
In a room with full-height glazing or a north-facing window that receives direct light
You don't need UVTex if your installation is:
-
Fully indoors with no significant natural light exposure
-
In a commercial interior lit only by artificial lighting
-
In a basement, underground level, or enclosed interior space
Our UV-resistant artificial plants and panels range covers the full spectrum of outdoor applications. If there's any doubt about whether your installation will receive UV exposure, we always recommend UV-rated product.
What Is FireTex and When Do You Need It?
FireTex is our exclusive fire-retardant technology that aims to meet the growing need for safe and stunning decor in modern environments.
Like UVTex, the key is how it's built: FireTex is not an add-on spray, but a built-in flame-resistant polymer system that self-extinguishes on ignition.
Our standard fire range is tested to AS/NZS1530.3:1999, with Group 1 Fire Tested and Certified options available. Group 1 is the highest fire performance classification under Australian standards and the classification that requires materials not to reach flashover during the full test sequence.
In many public-occupancy commercial buildings, Group 1 is the specification permitted.
You need FireTex if your installation is:
-
In a commercial space open to the public (hotel, restaurant, retail, office building)
-
In a healthcare, aged care, or education facility
-
In any building where fire compliance certification is required
-
In an event venue or space that hosts gatherings
-
In a home where you have specific concerns about proximity to fireplaces or BBQs
You may not need FireTex if your installation is:
-
A private residential interior away from ignition sources
-
An outdoor residential installation where fire compliance certification isn't requirement
We've covered the classifications and fire resistance information in detail in our guides:
Disclaimer
Where stated, Designer Plants products have been tested to AS/NZS1530.3:1999 and certified by an independent laboratory. Group 1 Fire Certified options are available made to order. Testing reports are available on request. Not all products in our range carry fire certification, so please confirm with our commercial team which products are certified before ordering.
Fire safety codes and building requirements differ by state, council area, building type, and by how and where a product is installed. We do not make any claim that our products satisfy the fire safety or building code requirements that apply to your specific project. You must obtain your own advice from your building certifier, fire engineer, architect, or the relevant local authority before purchasing or installing our products in a commercial or public setting.
Products described as fire-resistant or flame-retardant are not fireproof. Keep all products away from open flames, heaters, and other ignition sources.
If you need fire test documentation for a compliance submission, we provide it. If you need guidance on which products carry which certification, we help with that too.
Can a Product Have Both UVTex and FireTex?
Yes, an artificial plant or panel can be both UV and fire-resistant.
For projects that benefit from both, we specify a dual-certified product so the installation meets both the safety compliance requirement and the performance requirement for outdoor exposure.
For outdoor commercial environments in fire-sensitive regions like coastal areas, bushland interface zones, and states with stricter fire planning overlays, dual-certified product is what we recommend as a baseline specification.
Quick Decision Guide: UVTex, FireTex, or Both?
|
Your project |
What we recommend |
|
Outdoor residential (balcony, garden, pool) |
UVTex product as minimum |
|
Indoor residential, no significant natural light |
Standard indoor product, neither required |
|
Indoor commercial, public-facing |
FireTex, confirm requirements with your certifier |
|
Outdoor commercial (rooftop bar, restaurant terrace) |
Both, dual-certified FireTex with UVTex |
|
Healthcare or aged care facility |
FireTex, and confirm SafeTex certification too |
|
Coastal residential with pool |
UVTex, dual-certified if near a BBQ or fire pit |
|
Hotel lobby or restaurant interior |
FireTex, confirm requirements with your certifier |
This table gives you a starting point, but it’s not a compliance determination. Your specific project may have requirements that differ from these generalisations, which is why we recommend a conversation with our team before you order.
Finishing Thoughts
UVTex and FireTex aren't competing features. In most cases, they're answers to two
different questions.
-
One asks: will this product last outdoors in Australian conditions?
-
The other asks: does this product meet the fire safety standard required for my space?
Most residential buyers need UVTex and nothing more.
Most commercial buyers need FireTex, and if their project is outdoors, they need both.
If you get this right before you order, your installation will be faster and less expensive than getting it wrong after the panels are already on the wall.
We're here to help you work out which applies to your project, and that conversation costs nothing, so get a free consultation before you start ordering, or visit our showroom in Braeside, VIC, for a first-hand look into our offering.
FAQs
-
What is the difference between UVTex and FireTex?
-
UVTex is our UV protection technology, where inhibitors are bonded within the leaf material to prevent colour fade in outdoor and sun-exposed installations. FireTex is our fire-retardant technology, where a flame-resistant polymer system is built into select products and tested to Australian fire standards. They solve different problems: UVTex protects against sun degradation, FireTex addresses fire compliance and safety. Some products carry both.
-
Do I need FireTex for a residential installation?
-
Not always, but you might. FireTex is most relevant for commercial, public-occupancy, or compliance-led projects. For residential installations, the key questions are whether your home has specific fire compliance requirements (some bushland areas do) and whether the installation is near ignition sources. Speak to your building certifier if you're unsure. Our team provide guidance but cannot determine what the applicable requirements are for your specific project, as we are not experts in the area. We can recommend products that carry a specific compliance certificate, but it would be your responsibility to ensure that certificate is relevant for your project.
-
How do I get fire test documentation for a compliance submission?
-
Contact our team at sales@designerplants.com.au or call 1800 617 341. We provide AS/NZS1530.3:1999 test reports and Group 1 certification documentation for eligible products on request. Not all products carry fire certification, and we confirm which ones do as part of the commercial specification process.
-
Can I get a product with both UV and fire certification?
-
Yes. Dual-certified products are available in our fire-tested range, and they’re clearly labelled as outdoor-rated with both FireTex and UVTex. These are the products we specify for outdoor commercial environments, rooftop installations, and hospitality terraces.
-
What does "Group 1" fire certification mean?
-
Group 1 is the highest fire performance classification under the Australian Group Number system, assessed via AS ISO 9705. A Group 1 material does not reach flashover during the full test sequence. It is the most demanding classification, and the one required in many public-occupancy commercial buildings.
-
Are fire-resistant artificial plants fireproof?
-
No. Products described as fire-resistant or flame-retardant are not fireproof. FireTex products are engineered to self-extinguish on ignition and resist flame spread, but they should still be kept away from open flames, heaters, and ignition sources at all times.