Fire testing of furniture

EN 1021-1:2014 – Furniture – Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture – Part 1: Ignition source smouldering cigarette.

EN 1021-2:2014 – Furniture – Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture – Part 2: Ignition source match flame equivalent.

Purpose

The standards are used to assess the ignitability of material combinations, such as covers and fillings used in upholstered seating, when subjected to a smouldering cigarette and a match flame equivalent as ignition source.

These test methods only evaluate the ignitability of upholstery combinations. To evaluate the burning behaviour, the furniture needs to be tested in full scale with larger ignition sources.

For a upholstered furniture, the Product Safety Act applies and one of the safety risks is fire. According to the Swedish Consumer Agency, upholstered furniture sold to an individual consumer on the Swedish market must be able to withstand a glowing cigarette for a fixed time period without igniting the upholstery. The Agency then refers to the requirements according to EN 1021-1. In public environments, such as cinemas, hotels, restaurants etc., upholstered furniture should at least meet the requirements of both EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2.

Method

The tests are performed in a test cabinet with a calibrated air flow. Combinations of cover fabrics and filling materials used in upholstered furniture are tested. Cover fabrics can also be tested in combination with a standard PU filling. A steel test rig is mounted with the cover and filling so that a 90º angle is formed between the seat and back. The ignition sources are located in the junction between seat and back.

During the cigarette test the test assembly is not allowed to smoulder after one hour from the beginning of the test. The test assembly is also not allowed to smoulder to the extremities of the specimen.

The test assembly is subjected to a gas flame equivalent to a match flame for 15 seconds. No flaming is allowed to continue for more than 120 seconds after removal of the burner tube.

Prior to testing, all outer coverings that have been chemically treated to reduce their ignitability shall be subjected to a water soaking and drying procedure, described in Annex D.

Deliveries

A test report, in Swedish or English, is deliverd with the test results after testing.

Order

Before testing we ask you to complete the ”Order Specification form” and send this together with your order. Also attach product and safety data sheets when possible.

Order specification form