BS 5852:Part 1:1979
Fire test of upholstered composites for seating.Standard
Fire tests for furniture – Part 1. Methods of test for the ignitability by smokers’ materials of upholstered composites for seating.
Why test according to this standard?
The standard is 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.
In United Kingdom all items of domestic upholstered furniture must meet the “Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988” with amendments. BS 5852:Part 1 and BS 5852:Part 2 has been withdrawn by BSI (British Standards Institution) but are still used as the regulations mentioned above refers to the standards.
Example of materials that can be tested according to this standard
Combinations of covering and filling materials that are used in upholstered furniture.
Covers/fabrics can also be tested in combination with standard fillings.
Sample dimensions
| Complete test (2 tests with every ignition source) |
Cover, 4 samples with dimension 800 x 650 mm.
Inner covers, interliners etc, 4 samples with dimension 800 x 650 mm.
Filling (back), 4 samples with dimension 450 x 300 x 75 mm.
Filling (seat), 4 samples with dimension 450 x 150 x 75 mm.
|
| One test for informative purpose |
One part of each cover and filling described above. |
Short test description
The tests are performed in a test cabinet with a calibrated air flow. The cover fabric and the filling are put in a test rig to create a small sofa with a 90º angle between 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 subjected to a gas flame equivalent to a match flame for 20 seconds. No flaming is allowed to continue for more than 120 seconds after removal of the burner tube.