The use of flame retardants in furniture and furnishings is of great significance, especially in the UK, where fire safety of upholstery is governed by national legislation. The potential toxicity of some flame retardants has been cause for concern which prompted FIRA to investigate the state of the art and to answer some key questions being asked by the furniture industry.
Advice for upholstery component manufacturers and suppliers to help identify the requirements for different upholstery components
The fire safety of upholstered furniture supplied into the non-domestic market is more complex. It is heavily influenced by the end use of the premises in which the furniture is intended to be used.
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.
