BS 7176 GUIDE

FIRE RESISTANCE OF CONTRACT FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGSA GUIDE PREPARED BY THEBRITISH CONTRACT FURNISHING ASSOCIATIONCONTRACT FURNITURE FIRE RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTSRequirements in the contract area are a voluntary standards regime but if specified, by a customer, become subject to Contract Law. Requirements are given by British Standards (BS) but test methods are a mixture of BS and European Standards (Norms) (EN). This is because of differences between UK law and other European national laws.The requirements standards are graded, that is they have more than one level to cater for different types of use, in some cases there is discretion as to which level can be chosen. If the customer does not specify the level required, you should always ask for clarification, the customer may be assuming a level or may be entirely ignorant. Where disputes have arisen in these circumstances, the supplier nearly always loses as they are deemed to have a responsibility to advise where the specification is not clear.It is not unknown for customers to ask for non fire-retardant products to save cost, you must not agree to this. Despite the fact that fire resistance is a voluntary regime, custom and practice dictates that the accepted standards should be adhered to, pleas that it is voluntary or that the customer said otherwise are exceedingly unlikely to provide a defence in court.It is well worth having a copy of the requirement standards for reference but there is no point in holding copies of the test methods standards as these are really for test laboratory use only.Upholstered Furniture and SeatingThe requirements are laid down in BS7176: 1995 Incorporating Amendment No. 1 and are for the testing of a composite of filling and cover. The normal requirements are Medium Hazard, which covers hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, places of entertainment, hospitals, hostels and messes. Medium Hazard requires resistance to the ignition source specified in BS EN1021-1 (cigarette), BS EN1021-2 (match) and Ignition Source 5 (Crib 5) specified in BS5852.Some contract areas are classified Low Hazard by BS7176 and only need cigarette and match test. These are offices, schools, colleges, universities, museums and day centres. In practice, most customers will ask for Medium Hazard as a matter of course and most manufacturers supply to Medium Hazard as the norm.Depending on the volumes manufactured there are requirements for re-testing. For runs of less than 200, predictive testing can be used. This tests a fabric sample using a standardised filling. The fabric should still be re-tested every 20,000m. For runs of more than 200 units, re-testing should take place every 2,500 units or monthly.Products must be permanently and clearly labeled and BS7176 gives the specification for this.Note that the actual tests are to all intents and purposes the same as for the Domestic Furniture Regulations although the labeling is different. This is because the Domestic Furniture Regulations specifically reference BS5852. Since Amendment 1 to BS7176,furniture that has been demonstrated to meet the requirements of The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for Low Hazard category of BS7176. This means that product that is certified to BS5852 is considered to meet BS7176 but not vice-versa. For companies that supply both domestic and contract markets, this saves the cost of dual testing.Mattresses, Divans and Bed BasesThe requirements are laid down in BS7177: 1996 Incorporating Amendment No. 1 and provides for the testing of a composite and for testing of individual fillings of different types. Mattresses, divans and bases can be tested on their own or as a total bed assembly where the bed coverings are known (the normal situation in the contract environment). Where the bedding is specified Section 3 of BS6807 provides the test method, where the bedding cannot be specified Section 2 of BS6807 is used. The difference is in the detailed positioning of the ignition sources. The normal requirements are Medium Hazard, which covers messes, day centers, hotels, hostels, old peoples’ homes, holiday camp chalets, boarding schools, residential schools and halls of residence. Medium Hazard requires resistance to the ignition sources specified in BS EN597-1 (cigarette), BS EN597-2 (match) and the Ignition Source 5 specified inBS6807 Section 2 or 3. Hotels, hostels and old peoples’ homes can also be High Hazard, in which case they have to meet resistance to ignition with Ignition Source 7of BS6807 Section 2 or 3 in place of Ignition Source 5. The level of hazard requiredwill be dependent on the features of individual premises and their usage. These ignition sources equate to the ignition sources of BS5852 and BS EN1021-1 & 2.Depending on the volumes manufactured there are requirements for re-testing. For production of less than 400 units per month, one unit should be tested every 6 months. For production of between 400 and 2,400 units per month, one unit should be tested per 2,400 and for production of more than 2,400 units per month, one per month.Products must be permanently and clearly labeled and BS7177 gives the specification for this.Bedcovers and PillowsBS7175: 1989 gives test methods for assessing the resistance to ignitions of bedcovers and pillows. It draws on BS5852 and BS6807 for ignition sources. Requirements arenot laid down but could be inferred from BS7177. The test results are expressed as a straight pass/fail against each ignition source.Fabrics for Curtains and DrapesThe requirements are laid down in BS5867: 1980. There are three performance requirements, expressed as Types A, B and C, for contract use Type B is the appropriate one. The test method is given in BS5438 and is for a small flame source applied to a vertical oriented sample, either to the face or to the bottom edge. Type B testing is carried out on 6 samples according to BS5438 but if one sample fails, a pass can still be gained if there are no failures on testing a further 6 samples.Textile Floor CoveringsThe requirements are laid down in BS5287: 1988 and are suitable for all textile floor coverings. The test method is given by BS4790, which simulates a small ignition source lying on the floor covering. For contract use an affected radius of less than 35mm is required. Note that there are three mounting methods: loose-laid, fully adhered and loose-laid with underlay; the results will only be valid if the floor covering is laid in the same way as the sample tested.Wall CoveringsWall coverings are a potentially difficult area and requirements would depend on the type (use) and size of space and the presence of automatic fire detection. In general terms concrete, brickwork, plasterboard, ceramic tiles, plaster and rendering, woodwool slab, thin vinyl and paper coverings on inorganic surfaces are acceptable everywhere including circulation spaces and escape routes. Timber, hardboard, blockboard, particleboard, heavy flock papers and flame retardant treated thermosetting plastics can be used in rooms but not on stairways and corridors that form escape routes. In rooms of area less than 4m² polystyrene wall and ceiling linings may also be used. The relevant standard is BS476 Part 7, covering surface spread of flame on vertical surfaces, this uses a gas fired radiation panel 900mm square as its heat source with the flame burning for 1 min. Up to 9 samples can be used to obtain 6 valid results. Class 3 is the requirement for small rooms and is met if the average spread of flame is limited to 265mm after 1.5 min and 710mm after 10 min. Class 1 is the requirement for other rooms and is met if the average spread of flame is limited to 165mm after 10 min. Circulation spaces and escape routes require Class 0, which is not BS476 but is found in Part B of Building Regulations. Partitions should meet, at least, the requirements of the space that they divide.Compliant construction products are readily available but furnishing materials are unlikely to have been tested. Careful thought should be given before changing a wall covering or using an unusual material. The advice of the local Fire Officer should be sought in any area where there is the slightest doubt as to suitability.WatchpointsThe main problems encountered are with imported fabrics and upholstery as most other countries don’t have ignition resistance requirements to UK levels. The issue is verifying any claims made by an overseas supplier. Verbal assurance is worthless, written assurance is better but you would be well advised to insist on copies of test certificates, note especially the date of issue in connection to re-testing (above). Be aware that there are forged certificates in circulation and that these are indistinguishable from the genuine article. If in doubt, the way to check is to call the test laboratory and have them confirm that they have issued that certificate, to that company, for that particular product. You should view with particular caution any products manufactured in the Far East and imported through a 3rd party company based in another EU country. Such arrangements are often a ploy to circumvent national safety requirements (not just furniture, these arrangements are found for a wide range of goods) by exploiting the EU “free passage of goods” policy.Special Requirements for the Public SectorThe public sector have some particular requirements, these are found in BS5815 although there can be departmental issued documents as well.BS5815In three parts this specifies performance requirements and construction for sheets, pillowslips, towels, napkins, counterpanes and quilt covers for use in the public sector. Part 3 is counterpanes and quilt covers. The flammability requirement called up is found in BS5438.The British Contract Furnishing Association is the leading trade association in the UKfor companies supplying furniture and furnishings into the contract area. The contract area comprises, offices, hotels, restaurants, bars, educational establishments, hospitals and healthcare establishments and some niche areas. The BCFA represents a sector worth around £2 billion annually.Project House, 25 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe HP11 2LQ Tel: 01494 896790 Fax: 01494 896799 E: enquiries@。