The EUROLAB Laboratory conducts non-flammability and perofrmans tests in accordance with the British Standards with test methods for assessing the flammability of the upholstered seat with burning and burning ignition sources.

History and related standards

This British Standard replaces the revised BS 5852 old version standard.

This standard includes the following cross-references:

BS EN 1021-1, BS EN 1021-2.

Under the annual UK Fire Statistics, the upholstery furniture safety regulation was introduced in Great Britain in 1980. This arrangement applies to a commercially available upholstered seat and stipulates that the specification of BS 5852 must be fulfilled. The purpose of this standard is to measure the flammability of upholstered furniture composite.

Eight ignition sources are indicated;

Table 1 : Seven sources of ignition for BS 5852

BS 5852 requirements specify:

• For burning ignition:
• Any test specimen that produces a detectable amount of smoke, heat or glare from the outside after 60 minutes of cradle ignition,
• In the final inspection, any test sample showing evidence showing evidence of filling in more than 100 mm in any direction, separate from the top of the source's original location.
• For flame ignition:
• any test specimen that continues to ignite for more than 10 minutes after the cradle ignition,
• any test specimen in which any flame front reaches the endpoints of the specimen other than the top of the vertical portion of the test specimen or passes through the full thickness of the specimen during the test period.

Table 2 : Seven sources of ignition for BS 5852

However, more stringent requirements have been imposed by 1988 Furniture and Furnishing Fire Safety Regulations 1988 (applicable 1988 No 1324, Part I: Flammability test for polyurethane foam in the form of upholstery or cushion). BS 5852: In addition to the failure criteria of 82, the weight loss of slab or cushion polyurethane foam in the ignition test is limited to 5 g when tested with the ignition source n ° 60.

In addition, the test of the foam's flammability, provided that failure occurs against the criteria of paragraph 5852 of section BS 2, but only exceeds the limits and the resulting mass loss (first mass less final mass) is less than 60 g.

At the European level, standards based on the fire assessment function of fire hazard applications continue (EN 1021 for upholstered seats and EN 597 for beds).

Why test according to this standard?

The standard is used to assess the flammability of combinations of materials such as covers and padding used in the upholstered seat, mapped to a burning cigarette and an equivalent flame as a source of ignition.

In the United Kingdom, all parts of home upholstered furniture must meet the “Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Directive 1988 le with amendments.

Sample of material that can be tested according to this standard

Combination of upholstery and filler materials used in upholstered furniture.

Covers / fabrics can also be tested with standard fillers.

Sample sizes

Complete test with 1 ignition source

Cover / liner / padding, 3 pieces in dimensions of 1100 x 650 mm.

The filling is made of 3 xNUMX x 450 x 450 mm.

The filling is made of 3 xNUMX x 450 x 300 mm.

Fill with 75 mm thickness filler.

Filling seat, backrest, armrest etc. If they differ, all fillings must be tested separately.

Indicator test

One piece for each of the materials mentioned above.

A complete furniture test

3 set of finished furniture as in the last use.

How to Take Tests

Tests are performed in a test cabinet with calibrated airflow. The cover fabric and padding are placed in a test rig to create a small sofa at a 90º angle between the seat and back. The ignition sources are located at the junction between the seat and the back. There are six different ignition sources numbered 2-7. Ignition sources 2-3 are gas flames and ignition sources 4-7 are wooden beds (higher number of gas flames/bearings).

During gas flame tests, the test assembly is not allowed to burn for more than 60 minutes from the start of the test (30 minutes for wooden cradles). The test assembly is not allowed to show evidence of charge more than 100 mm in any direction upwards from the ignition source. Gas flames are extinguished after 40 seconds (ignition source 2) or 70 seconds (ignition source 3). Any flare-up will not last longer than 120 seconds after the burner tube has been removed. After starting the test with ignition source 5 (ignition source 6-7 to 13 minutes), it is not allowed to continue flaming for more than 10 minutes.