Fire safety is the most significant technical requirement of any upholstery fabric.   Fabrics that perform well in potentially dangerous situations can help to ensure that work environments are safe placed for those who work within them.

Flammability testing is a critical part of the general testing procedures in the textile industry because it has crucial safety implications in the event of a fire.   When testing fabrics for flammability, test rigs are designed to form a simulated chair.

The most commonly used ignition sources are Ignition Source 0 (cigarette), Ignition Source 1 (match) and Ignition Source 5 (crib 5).

BS 7176 : 2007

This standard specifies the resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating by testing composites. This test generally uses Direct Testing. This states that each composite shall be tested every 2500 units produced (or once per month, whichever is the more practical). Re-testing is carried out where there is any major basic alteration to furniture specification.

BS 7176 is based on BS 5852 but has three additional parameters.

1. Watersoak procedure - This procedure requires a fabric to be soaked in water and dried prior to testing. This ensures FR treated fabrics are not adversely affected by watersoaking.
2. Predictive ‘Worst Case’ testing - The foam used on the test rig is 35kg/m3 High Resilient foam. This has been adopted as a ‘worst case’ foam on the assumption that the vast majority of manufacturers use Combustion Modified foam which gives better flammability performance.
3. Hazard categories - Four hazard categories are identified which are linked directly to the ignition source used for testing (low, medium, high and very high hazard).

BS 476 - Part 7 : 1997

This standard applies to vertical surface or panel fabrics. It assesses the flammability performance of flat materials, composites or assemblies used as the exposed surfaces of walls, partitions, screens or ceilings. A sample is mounted vertically in a watercooled holder and is exposed to a radiant panel for 10 minutes. In addition, a pilot flame is applied to the bottom corner of the specimen during the first minute of the test. The time required for the flame front to reach reference marks on the sample is noted as well as the extent of flame spread at 1.5 minutes and at the end of the test. 6 - 9 samples are tested.
The classification system is based on the rate and extent of flame spread. Class 1, the highest classification, has a final spread of flame less than 165mm.

European Tests

In addition to the cigarette and match standards, there are several higher level national tests that are relevant to specific European countries. The B1 test measures reaction to fire and is considered the highest flammability standard in Germany for upholstered fabrics. In France the highest classification to aim for is the M1 standard while in Italy it’s Classe Uno.

Flamability Performance

Some fabrics have inherent properties that make them flame retardant meaning the FR properties are locked into the fibre itself and will never wash off or wear off. Other fabrics require post treatments (Camreflam or Zirpro) to provide or enhance flammability performance.
• Camreflam - Enhances FR performance of wool blend fabrics (e.g. Screen) to meet B1 and M1 flammability.
• Zirpro - Wool is naturally flame retardant, it is resistant to ignition and does not melt or drip. To enhance these natural properties woollen fabrics (e.g. New Aquarius/Marathon) can be Zirpro treated to meet more stringent flammability standards
(e.g. BS 7176 Medium Hazard, French M2) - the treatments do not affect the natural properties of the wool fibre.

Information supplied by Camira Fabrics

1. If a particular premise in the Low Hazard area is used for sleeping purposes then consideration should be given to specifying a higher performance level.

2. Upholstered furniture which is ordinarily intended for private use in a dwelling is subject to Government Regulations