British Tests and Controls to Limit the Fire Risks of the Contents of Buildings

The past decade has seen the rapid development within the UK of tests and performance specifications to determine and/or control the ignition and burning behaviour of upholstered furniture, mattresses and bed assemblies in domestic, public and institutional premises. The test procedures were based on considerable research including full-scale fire tests and field reports. The resultant tests were almost invariably based on composite specimens except where single material tests were sometimes used for quality control work. Early tests were relatively crude ad hoc procedures, but have been progressively refined and developed. British Standard ignition tests for upholstered seating have been published (BS 5852, Parts 1 and 2) and ignition tests for mattresses and bed assemblies, and burning tests for upholstered furniture, mattresses and bed assemblies are being used within industry and government areas. The rapid development of these tests and their application has led to some overlapping, while many tests are currently being revised or replaced. This paper attempts to outline the current ‘state of the art’ within the UK for fire tests for upholstered furniture, mattresses and bed assemblies.