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BS5852 Flame Retardant Upholstery Fabrics

This guide is giving an overview to BS5852 and which part of the standard is required for who.

Information on the Code BS5852

BS 5852:2006 describes best practice methods to assess the ignitability of single material combinations, such as covers and fillings used in upholstered seating, or complete items of seating. These tests determine the effects of a smouldering cigarette, or other flaming ignition sources such as burning matches or a four-sheet full-size newspaper. This standard can be used to establish the potential ignitability of components in conjunction with other specified materials.

Source 0: smoldering cigarette

A cigarette is put along the crevice of the test rig and allowed to burn over its entire length. If no flaming or progressive smoldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as no ignition and the material passes the test.BS5852 - Part 1 - Simulated Match - Passed

Source 1: simulated match

A burner is lit, held along the crevice of the test rig for 20 seconds and then removed. If no flaming or progressive smoldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as no ignition and the material passes the test.

Source 5: wooden crib 5

A crib is composed of wooden planks, glued together. Lint is attached to the bottom. After adding propane-diol the crib is placed on the test rig and ignited with a match. If no flaming or progressive smoldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as no ignition and the material passes the test.

Where BS5852 Fabrics are Used

When working

The BS 5852 requirements specify that:

• For Smoldering ignition:
  • any test specimen that produces externally detectable amounts of smoke, heat or glowing 60 min after ignition of the crib,
  • any test specimen that, on final examination, shows evidence charring within the filling more than 100 mm in any direction, apart from upwards, from the nearest part of the original position of the source.

• For Flaming ignition:
  • any test specimen that continues to flame for more than 10 min after ignition of the crib,
  • any test specimen on which any flame front reaches the extremities of the specimen other than the top of the vertical part of the test specimen or passes through the full thickness of the specimen within the duration of the test.

Table 2: seven ignition sources of the BS 5852

Pass & Fail Criteria: There are two principle areas considered here, progressive smouldering and flaming ignition. The pass/fail criteria vary depending on which ignition source is used, for this account only those relating to source 5 are described. Considering progressive smouldering first, the fail criteria are;

• any specimen that displays escalating smouldering combustion so that it is unsafe to continue testing and requires forcible extinction.
• any specimen that smoulders until it is consumed or that smoulders to the extremities of the specimen.
• any specimen that produces externally detectable amounts of heat smoke or glowing 60 minutes after igniting the crib

Considering flaming ignition, the fail criteria are;

• escalating flaming combustion where it becomes unsafe to continue testing and requires forcible extinction.
• any specimen which burns until it is consumed within the test duration.
• any specimen where the flame front reaches the specimen extremities (other than the top of the vertical part) or passes through the full thickness of the composite.
• any specimen that continues to flame 10 minutes after igniting the crib.
• debris falling from the test specimen causes an isolated floor fire which burns for more than 10 minutes after igniting the crib

References

https://www.fira.co.uk/images/FIRA-Flammability-Guide-PDF-with-links.pdf

https://search.ukas.com/#/tabbed/search?q=bs%205867

Where can I get my products tested for BS5852

When choosing a testing house the most important fact is that the certificate given is genuine and from a reputable testing facilty.

So step 1 is to ensure that the test is performed by a UCAS accredited site.

https://search.ukas.com/#/tabbed/search?q=bs%205867

BS7175 Flame Retardant Bedding for Bedcovers and Sheets

Introduction to BS7175:1980

In this article, we are going to provide the details of what BS7175C requires and why as a business owner you should be using flame retardant fabrics that fits this standard.

What is the standard BS7175 1989 in relating to Bedding, Pillows, Quilts, Sheets (bed), Pillow slips, Blankets, Bedspreads, Bed linen, Ignitability, Fire tests, Test equipment, Testing conditions, Test specimens, Specimen preparation

Who BS7175 effects

If you own a business and want to reduce the fire risk, then it is important that you are mitigating the risk of fire. So you should be abiding and using products certified by BS7175. It is crucial that when working with people when you are in a position of care to abide by the fire safety rules. You fire officer will be able to confirm whether BS7175 is required by your business. The most common business where flame retardant standards such as BS7175 are applicable are;

Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Youth Hostels and other similar environments.

It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure that they are using products that are certified for use in the business environment, they can get this information by speaking to their fire officer or local fire departments.

All flame retardant fabrics supplied by Direct Fabrics which are in the flame retardant section are certified to BS5867 and BS5852 and have certification to show this. Another supplier might not have the necessary information but we can assure you that our products are certified. Please speak with the team to confirm that the designs you have chosen are certified to this level

Business Owners

Need to specify the requirements for their projects to ensure that their fabrics are suitable for business use and that the Direct Fabrics team can supply the necessary flame retardant fabrics

Fabrics are available that are inherently flame retardant, these include polyester fabrics and other man-made material this means they are suited to the required level and the purpose of bedding products

Test method

The materials to be tested and the ignition sources shall be conditioned immediately before the test for 72 h in indoor ambient conditions and then for at least 16 h in an atmosphere having a temperature of 20 ± 5 °C and a relative humidity of 65 ± 5 %.

BS 7175, for the testing, a draught-free environment having a temperature of 15 °C to 30 °C and a relative humidity of 55 ± 20° shall be used. If the test is not carried out immediately after conditioning, place the conditioned specimens in a sealed container until the start of the test. Begin testing each specimen within 10 min of removing it from either the conditioning atmosphere or the sealed container.

Conclusion

BS7175 flame retardant bedding

Speak with the Direct Fabrics team to ensure that your fabrics are to the requirements required.

Where to Buy Flame Retardant Bedding

You can buy your range of flame retardant bedding directly from direct-fabrics. Please see our full range of BS7175 approved bedding here. Flame Retardant Bedding