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Bailey of Bristol and FIRA join forces to develop new caravan quality standard

FIRA, the UK’s leading furniture technology centre responsible for the development of internationally recognised testing programmes for both domestic and commercial furniture, has developed a new quality standard for caravans following an 18 month collaboration with manufacturer Baileys of Bristol.

Baileys asked FIRA to conduct fatigue testing on its upholstery cushions early last year, which, after receiving a constant load pounding in FIRA’s Stevenage test labs, achieved a ‘severe’ rating, putting them on a par with the materials used in private and commercial vehicle seats and in the backrests and armrests used in public transport and cinema seats.

Baileys then asked for the new floating fascia lockers and concealed latches to undergo similar examination prior to installation in its Pageant Series 7 range. The components underwent an open/close fatigue test to 5000 cycles and a slam shut test to 50 cycles, both of which it passed. 

Following these successful projects, Baileys asked FIRA to develop a quality standard to cover the entire caravan, and the resulting Product Certification Scheme for Leisure Accommodation Vehicles is the ultimate mark of product excellence. The achievement of this prestigious standard shows a product has been completely evaluated for fitness for purpose, quality and workmanship.

The new Product Certification Scheme – the second of its type, following the launch earlier this year of a similar method for rating school furniture – covers the following areas: ergonomics, workmanship, structural strength, performance, installation procedures and moisture/humidity/temperature resistance.

Bailey has submitted the new Ranger Series 6 and Ranger GT60 Series as the first caravans to be considered for the scheme, and is on course to achieve accreditation in time for the production of the first display models in mid-September.

It should be noted that this new FIRA accreditation scheme is in addition to the existing NCC type approval. This focuses primarily on the health and safety elements of caravan design, whereas the FIRA Product Certification Scheme majors on the ergonomic and durability aspects. Together they represent the most rigorous pre-production testing programme for a UK caravan.

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