The Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations

This section deals with the Statutory Instrument 1988 No.1324 Consumer Protection The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This legislation was brought into force to deal with all aspects of the flammability and fire safety of domestic furniture and furnishings. It deals with the components (cover fabric, filling material etc.) constituting a finished item of furniture and identifies the specific tests required to be undertaken in order to comply with the legislation. The document also defines the levels of labelling required on finished goods.

The discussion presented here is not an authoritive interpretation of the regulations. It is only intended as a basic guide for reference purposes.

Domestic Upholstered Furniture - Regulation Reference

The statutory instrument embraces all domestic upholstered seating furniture (as well as children's furniture). This includes music stools, foot stools and pouffes, bean bags and floor cushions sold for use in domestic dwellings. For the purposes of this discussion, cover fabric will refer to the permanent cover of upholstered furniture. The discussion which follows will not address issues regarding filling material for furniture but instead will restrict its scope to cover fabric. Mattresses, bed-bases, pillows and cushions are dealt with separately.

Removable covers which are supplied with the furniture are regarded as permanent covers by the statutory instrument. Replacement covers supplied by the original furniture manufacturer are also deemed to be permanent. However, removable covers supplied by producers other than the furniture manufacturer are classed as loose covers.

Conditions for Compliance Permanent Covers: Fire resistance requirements that are usually needed.

Any fabric which is supplied as a permanent cover on furniture must:

· comply with the cigarette test (BS5852:Part 1:1979:Source 0), there are no exceptions

· either pass the appropriate match test; the one used depends on whether the material is a visible or non-visible part of a cover

· or if the fabric is classified as "exempt" (i.e. composed of at least 75% by weight of cotton, modal, flax, silk, viscose or wool used either separately or together and not coated with any polyurethane preparation) then it need not comply with the match test providing the furniture contains a fire-resistant interliner (complying with schedule 3 of the statutory instrument)

Cover fabric which has been treated with a flame retardant chemical must undergo a cleansing procedure described in BS5651:1978: Clause 4 (30 minute water soak) prior to cigarette or match testing. The match test is conducted over "standard foam" as described in the statutory instrument. Most cigarette testing is in practice conducted over standard foam as well (the so called "worst case scenario") although for the purposes of the statutory instrument it can be carried out over the actual filling composite used in the finished furniture or indeed any legal filling material (the type of filling used will be stated on the certificate issued by the laboratory conducting the test).

This section constitutes the essential fire resistance requirements that apply to furnishings with permanent covers. There are a number of furniture items which must comply in part with the requirements described above or have their own quite separate requirements. These are dealt with in the following sections.

Conditions for Compliance

Requirements for Exceptional Items

"Non-visible" cover fabric which has been flame retarded may undergo a modified cigarette and match test in which the cleansing procedure is omitted and the match test is conducted over combustion modified foam. Non-visible cover fabric is defined as:

· any part of the cover or furniture on which a back, arm or seat cover rests

· the underside or reverse side of a seat or back cushion which has not been designed as reversible

· the underside of non-reversible arm cushions provided they are secured and cannot be displaced in normal use

· the dust cover on the underside of the furniture

Loose covers should be match resistant when tested over standard foam. Stretch covers should be match compliant when tested over combustion modified foam.

The regulations do not apply to pillow cases or loose covers for mattresses and bed-bases.

Removable braids and trimmings, lightweight scrims (used over foams & fillings) and springs and not required to comply with the fire resistance requirements.

Cane furniture upholstery (seat & back cushions) supplied with the furniture must meet the requirements described for permanent covers. These cushions cannot be considered as scatter cushions (which have different requirements).

Garden furniture which is also suitable for indoor use (including conservatories) must comply with the permanent cover requirements.

Products for use as nursery furniture which are upholstered or upholstered items which are designed to hold a baby or small child must comply with the regulations as described for permanent covers. Nursery items include the following:

· baby seats/bouncing cradles/baby rockers

· baby car seats designed for home as well as car use

· baby walking frames

· cots/travel cots

· carry-cots

· highchairs

· chair harnesses

· playpens (including playpen mattresses)

· prams

· push-chairs

· Upholstered liners supplied with any of the above items.

Baby nests are exempt from the match resistance test. They must comply with the cigarette test and meet the requirements described in the statutory instrument for filling materials.

The following section deals with mattresses, cushions and pillows. The discussion applies to all uses of these items be it in nursery environments or other domestic end uses.

Upholstered head-boards must meet the requirements for permanent covers. The back of a head-board is considered a visible fabric.

The furniture regulations do not encompass fire resistance requirements for cover fabric and ticking of bed-bases and mattresses. However, Trading Standards emphasise that there is a duty to supply products that are safe. To this end they draw attention to BS7177 which is the specification for cigarette and match resistance of bed bases and mattresses.

The permanent cover requirements apply to all parts of convertible furniture in which the seating also provides the sleeping surface. To this end, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles fall within the regulations.

The regulations do not apply to the decorative cover of pillows, scatter cushions and seat pads or to covers for these items which are sold separately. The filling material within pillows, scatter cushions and seat pads are included by the regulations.

BS5852: Part 1:1979: Source 0

Fire tests for furniture. Part 1. Methods of test for the ignitability by smokers' materials of upholstered composites for seating.

Cigarette Test

Introduction: BS5852: Part 1:1979 contains the test method and flammability requirements for upholstery composites exposed to ignition source 0, a smouldering cigarette. This particular 'cigarette' test procedure is that used for UK domestic upholstery fabric (see the 'Background to Cigarette & Match Testing' for more details) as prescribed in the 1988 Statutory Instrument.

Procedure: The test rig assembly (shown opposite) is designed to represent a small chair. If the cover material has been flame retarded, the fabric must be subjected to a 30 minute water soak (BS5651:1978: Clause 4) before testing. Prior to testing, all fabric and filling material is maintained in an air conditioned environment (in which both temperature and relative humidity are controlled) for a specified time. The tests are also conducted within specified temperature and humidity ranges. Filling material components are positioned between the test cover fabric and the rig back and seat. The cover fabric dimensions are 800mm x 650mm (length x width). The ignition sources are positioned as shown in the photograph. Each test consists of two replicate cigarettes positioned at a prescribed distance apart. The events occurring after placement of the ignition sources are observed and recorded.

Filling material: Cigarette tests are normally conducted over standard foam, although this is not specified in the legislation. Strictly speaking, any sort of 'appropriate' filling material can be used to conduct the test (ideally, the actual filling that would be used in the finished item of furniture). In practice, industry has adopted the test to be conducted using the 'worst case scenario' and uses foam that will burn (i.e. standard foam), the thinking being that if it will pass over this it will pass over anything. Another 'industry standard' has been to use a piece of polyester interliner between the foam filling and cover fabric, again the thinking being that polyester scrims of this type are usually included in the furniture during manufacture.

Pass & Fail Criteria: Observations are made for evidence of progressive smouldering or flaming in the interior and/or cover. If any signs of progressive smouldering or flaming is observed at any time within one hour of placing the cigarettes then the composite is deemed to have failed the test.

BS5852: Part 1:1979: Source 1

Fire tests for furniture. Part 1. Methods of test for the ignitability by smokers' materials of upholstered composites for seating.

Match Test

Introduction: BS5852: Part 1:1979 contains the test method and flammability requirements for upholstery composites exposed to ignition source 1, a 'burning match' equivalent butane flame. This particular match test procedure is that used for UK domestic upholstery fabric as prescribed in the 1988 Statutory Instrument.

Procedure: The test rig assembly (shown below) is designed to represent a small chair. If the cover material has been flame retarded, the fabric must be subjected to a 30 minute water soak (BS5651:1978: Clause 4) before testing. Prior to testing, all fabric and filling material is maintained in an air conditioned environment (in which both temperature and relative humidity are controlled) for a specified time. The tests are also conducted within specified temperature and humidity ranges. Filling material components are positioned between the test cover fabric and the rig back and seat. The cover fabric dimensions are 800mm x 650mm (length x width). The ignition source is positioned as shown in the photograph. The butane gas flow rate is regulated to produce a flame with a calorific output considered to be equivalent to that of a burning match. The ignition source is applied for 20 seconds and the occurrence of fabric/filling ignition noted. The procedure is then repeated; the flame being applied no closer than 50mm from any damaged that resulted from the first flame application.

Filling material: The match test for fabric to be used with domestic upholstery requires the filling to consist of standard foam. This is specified in the legislation (Schedule 5 Part 1 Clause 3 of the Statutory Instrument). The only exception to this is stretch covers where the match test is conducted using a CMHR foam (Schedule 5 Part 2 of the Statutory Instrument).

Pass & Fail Criteria: Observations are made for evidence of progressive smouldering or flaming in the interior and/or cover. Any flames, afterglow, smoke or smouldering that cease within 120 seconds after removal of the ignition source are disregarded. Any flaming or progressive smouldering that occurs after 120 seconds from removal of the ignition source results in a test failure. The test assembly is also examined internally for evidence of progressive smouldering; if any is noted then a test failure is recorded.

Terminology

We have tried to make this an "easy reading guide to flame retardancy" and in so doing, tried to avoid the use of technical terms. However, there are instances where their use is required. There follows a brief explanation of some terms that are likely to be encountered within the site.

TEST METHODS: These describe the equipment to be used and the procedure to be followed. They also describe sample preparation (dimensions), conditioning and any cleansing procedures needed prior to testing.

SPECIFICATIONS: A specification will indicate a method of test to be used and will describe the performance requirements which should be attained by a test sample having followed the procedures described in the test method.

IGNITION SOURCES: These are the means by which an attempt is made to instigate combustion in a test sample. Ignition sources vary according to the test method and include flames (such as gas flames and burning wooden structures (cribs)) and smouldering sources such as cigarettes.

CALORIFIC OUTPUT: Within the context of this account of textile flammability, this is the amount of heat given out by a burning material.

COMPOSITES: A composite refers to a group of test components which constitute the "test specimen" for a test procedure. Many of the tests pertinent to upholstered items of furniture are composite tests, i.e. filling material plus cover fabric. The test results will relate only to that particular combination of components and the certification issued by the test authority will reflect this.

NON-COMPOSITES: This is where a fabric or material is tested in isolation, i.e. the test assesses the ignitability of the fabric alone without any influence from other items which may be included in a finished furnishing item. Curtain testing would be an example of non-composite procedure.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENT: This is a legislative document. It contains regulations which carry the force of law. Within the context of textiles used in furnishings discussed throughout this site, the term will refer to "Consumer Protection, The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988" and the amendments which followed in 1989 and 1993.

STANDARD FOAM: This is a type of non-flame retardant polyurethane foam specified in the statutory instrument. It is not available as a legal filling material for upholstered furniture and is supplied for testing purposes only. The statutory instrument defines the foam as "a non-fire retardant polyurethane foam corresponding to the specification set out in BS3379 Type B Hardness grade 130 and of a density of 20 - 22 kg per cubic metre".

CMHR FOAM: This is a melamine based combustion modified high resilience foam. This represents the major class of foam filling material used in upholstered furniture within the United Kingdom.

SCHEDULE 3 INTERLINER: This is a fabric which complies with the specification given in schedule 3 of the statutory instrument. If the fabric is flame retarded it must be subjected to a thirty minute water soak described in BS5651 prior to testing. The schedule 3 specification requires the fabric is tested between "standard foam" and a specified polyester cover fabric (details in the statutory instrument). The test method specified in the statutory instrument is BS5852: Part 2:1982: ignition source 5. The pass/fail criteria are specified in clause 4 of BS5852: Part 2:1982.

SMOULDERING: The combustion of a material with, or without the emission of light. Smoke is usually produced and an increase in temperature occurs but a flame is not evident.

PROGRESSIVE SMOULDERING: Smouldering that is self-propagating, i.e. independent of the ignition source.

FLAMMABILITY: The ability of a material or product to burn with a flame under specified conditions.

IGNITABILITY: A measure of the ease with which a material, product or component can be ignited so as to flame or progressively smoulder.

FLAMING: Undergoing combustion in the gaseous phase with the emission of light and heat.

NATURAL FIBRES: These are fibres derived from the use of materials which occur within nature, i.e. have not been modified or synthesised by man. Examples would be cotton (derived from plant cellulose) or wool (a protein fibre derived from the fleece of sheep).

MAN MADE FIBRES: These are fibres which do not occur in nature. They may be derived from materials which occur in nature but during the manufacturing process they are chemically transformed into a new material. For example viscose, although derived from cellulose, is chemically modified during the production and spinning of the fibre and is therefore a man-made material and is not considered a natural fibre.

POLYMER: A high molecular weight organic compound, natural or synthetic, whose structure can be represented by a repeated small unit, the monomer. Synthetic polymers are formed by addition or condensation polymerization of monomers. If two or more different monomers are involved, a copolymer is obtained. Some polymers are elastomers, some plastics.

MONOMER: A molecule that can join with other molecules to form a large molecule called a polymer. A monomer is the smallest repeating unit in a polymer chain. ATOM: The basic component of all matter. The atom is the smallest particle of an element that has all of the chemical properties of that element. Atoms consist of a nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.

MOLECULE: The smallest particle of a compound that has all the chemical properties of that compound. Molecules are made up of two or more atoms, either of the same element or of two or more different elements

PYROLYSIS: From pyro- meaning heat and -lysis meaning break down. It is the process whereby a material is decomposed by the action of heat. COPOLYMER: A polymer molecule incorporating two or more different types of monomer.

HYDROGEN BOND: All chemical bonds are essentially the interaction of the electrons of constituent atoms within a molecule. It is possible for the atom at one end of a bond to have a net positive or net negative charge compared with the atom at the other end (due to unequal sharing of negatively charged electrons which compose the bond). Molecules containing hydrogen frequently have a net positive charge associated with the hydrogen. Many atoms in molecules frequently have negative charges associated with them e.g. oxygen. A hydrogen bond is a weak bond which develops between the positive charge on the hydrogen of one molecule and the negative charge on an atom of another molecule. This weak bond can attract and bind two individual molecules together.

hydrogen bonding

Example of hydrogen bonding between polymer chains in a protein fibre such as wool.