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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.
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.
The term furniture hardware covers a multitude of products. It basically covers the metal and plastic components that go into making an item of furniture. This article looks at the standards and new European requirements for furniture hardware items.
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.
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
All domestic table products must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and safe. 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.
All domestic products must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and safe. 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.
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
The General Product Safety Regulations originally published in the UK in 1994 have been revised to reflect the changes introduced by the revised Directive published across the EU in 2004.
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.
Office seating must be safe and suitable for use. Defining characteristics for performance and safety include: stability, strength, durability, fire safety.
Leather can be made from the skin of any animal. Most leather is grain leather finished by various methods to produce different effects. Leather furniture in a normal domestic environment should need little attention, cleaning should only be carried out when necessary.
When designing or selecting upholstery fabrics performance requirements should not be an afterthought but a first consideration, and if suitable levels are not achievable the fabric is not suitable for use no matter how attractive it may be.
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.
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.
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.
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