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Introduction to 'International Flammability Standards For Upholstered Furniture'

An introduction and table of contents outlining the 'Guide to International Flammability Standards For Upholstered Furniture' produced by FIRA International Limited. The guide compares current UK Regulations/Standards relating to the fire safety of domestic and contract upholstered furniture to similar standards/regulations around the globe. The aim is to provide information on the relative fire safety of a product sourced locally compared to that sourced in the UK/to UK standards.

Buying upholstered furniture

Buying upholstered furniture – fire safety

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What do I need to know about selecting foam interiors?

Foam interiors for furniture are required to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. This means they are expected to adequately support a user throughout the life of the furniture. Selection of the wrong foam can result in excessive cushion softening which manifests itself as cushion hollowing, loss of comfort, bottoming out, cushion collapse and cover bagging.

What do I need to know to sell domestic seating in the UK?

All domestic seating products must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and safe. The fire safety of domestic upholstered seating is controlled by legislation – not discussed here for more information click on ‘Upholstered furniture regs intro’ The General Product Safety Regulations acts as a catch all relating to other safety issues or concerns and as such the producer must be able to demonstrate he has taken steps to ensure the product is safe

What do I need to know to sell office seating in the UK?

Office seating must be safe and suitable for use. Defining characteristics for performance and safety include: stability, strength, durability, fire safety.

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Regulations – fabric treatment options

The furniture regulations specify a level of ignition resistance for all upholstery fabrics but they do not insist on a cover fabric being flame retardant treated. Nevertheless most cover fabrics need some form of treatment to satisfy the fire safety regulations.

Timber treatments and finishes: An introduction

Timber can be physically altered and chemically engineered through the application of various treatments and finishes to meet demanding performance requirements. Covers preservation, treatments to improve performance in fire and various finishing treatments.

Fire safety requirements for mattress toppers, pads and protectors

This article discusses the fire safety requirements for bedding products such as mattress protectors, pads and toppers

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Regulations – labelling, identification and record keeping

All new furniture must carry a display label at the point of sale. It is the retailer’s responsibility to ensure that furniture on display carries the correct label. A collection of furniture items such as a three-piece suite or set of dinning chairs must wear the display label on each individual item.

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Regulations – filling requirements

Any filling material, whether foam or non-foam, intended for use in furniture, must meet specified ignition tests. This means any material included for the purpose of filling or stuffing the upholstered parts of the furniture.

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Regulations. Introduction

The UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations is a legal document designed to ensure that fabrics and foams used in the UK are safe.

What do I need to know to sell contract seating in the UK?

In general contract seating is considered to be seating used in any application other than the home, however specific requirements exist for outdoor seating, office seating and educational seating and so these are not considered here. Contract seating therefore covers applications such as hotels, cafes, churches, stadiums, waiting rooms, transport termini and hospitals.

What do I need to know to sell outdoor furniture in the UK?

All outdoor furniture products must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and safe

Upholstered Furniture Fire safety regulations – measurement of ignitability

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations contain a series of Schedules which detail the method by which upholstery materials are to be tested to demonstrate compliance.

What do I need to know to sell highchairs in the UK?

Summary of highchair testing and specification requirements taking account of the current standards and possible introduction of a European standard

What do I need to know to sell mattresses, divans and bed bases in the UK?

Domestic mattresses, divans and bed bases are required to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. The fire safety of these items is controlled by legislation - not discussed here but for further information click on Fire safety controls - domestic beds

Fire Safety Controls – domestic mattresses, divans and bed bases

Fire safety controls for mattresses divans and bed bases are governed through two sets of regulations. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amd ‘89 and ‘93) The General Product Safety Regulations 1994.

What do I need to know to sell bunk beds in the UK?

The supply of bunk beds in the UK are controlled by two sets of safety regulations. The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations. The General Product Safety Regulations

Fire safety controls – non-domestic or contract mattresses, divans and bed bases

There are no mandatory regulations in the non-domestic/contract furniture sector that detail precisely the ignition resistance requirements for furniture. However, the fire safety of the premises in which the furniture is used is controlled by the Fire Precautions Act.

Fire Safety Controls – non-domestic or contract upholstered seating

Flame retardant treatments for timber

Describes types of treatment available to upgrade the performance of timber products to Class 0 and Class 1 requirements

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Regulations – requirements for covers

The UK furniture regulations set specific ignition requirements for all external covers used in the production of upholstered furniture. This means any fabric supplied to provide or replace the permanent cover on furniture.

Full Member Articles

These items are only available to FIRA members. Please click here to view membership benefits and for details on how to join. Please feel free to continue to browse the site for information, services and suppliers.

List of standards relating to furniture and fitments

The following list is available to FIRA members free of charge. The list will be updated from time to time based on information received from the standards’ authorities. Copies of many of the standards are available through our bookshop. FIRA members are entitled to a discount on standards that they purchase through this site.

A Guide To International Flammability Standards For Upholstered Furniture

FIRA has produced this comprehensive guide comparing current UK regulations/standards relating to the fire safety of domestic and contract upholstered furniture to similar standards/regulations around the globe. The aim is to provide information on the relative fire safety of a product sourced locally compared to that sourced in the UK/to UK standards

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