Public buildings in particular, such as schools, offices or events spaces, must be safe. Which is why fire protection is especially important here. But what standards apply to furniture?
If furniture was a “building product” it would be easy.
DIN 4102 applies to building products. It categorises the fire behaviour of floor, wall and ceiling materials laid over a large area, as well as of textiles, such as carpets or curtains.
But furniture is made of different materials with different fire behaviours that sometimes interact with each other. What’s more, the test according to DIN 4102 requires large areas of specimens that are tested for flammability in a fire shaft, which isn’t possible with furniture.
And certification of the individual components is not sufficient in view of the risks resulting from possible interactions. This is why the “inflammability” requirements laid down in DIN 4102 cannot be simply transferred.
Different standards and classifications for fire behaviour therefore apply to furniture. The overriding fire protection standard is DIN 66084 for the “Classification of Fire Behaviour of Upholstery Compounds” with the classes P-a, P-b and P-c. Two European testing standards form the basis of the test:
DIN EN 1021, Parts 1 and 2 “Furniture; Evaluating the Flammability of Upholstered Furniture; Source of Ignition: Glowing Cigarette or a Gas Flame comparable to a Match”, and
DIN 54341 “Testing of Seats for Rail Vehicles in Local Public Transport; Identifying the Combustion Behaviour with a Paper Cushion”.
The classification according to these standards is on the basis of three tests. They can be used on seating elements similar to upholstery, such as plastic seat shells:
Match test
The match test corresponds to the classification standard DIN 66084 P-b (medium). In this test, the fire behaviour of the upholstery compound is tested when a burning match falls on the seating surface. This situation is simulated by holding a 35 millimetre gas flame to the upholstery for 15 seconds. The classification is awarded if the upholstery compound goes out by itself at the latest two minutes after the end of application of the flame, and the smouldering does not reach the edges of the upholstery.
Cigarette test
This test simulates a hazardous situation where a burning cigarette falls on the seating surface of upholstered furniture. The test is conducted with a burning cigarette, that is placed on the upholstery of the test furniture. The classification standard DIN 66084 P-c (low) is met if the upholstery compound neither burns nor continuously smoulders within 60 minutes.
Paper cushion test
Passing the paper cushion test leads to classification standard DIN 66084 P-a (high). It corresponds to a hazardous situation where burning papers fall onto the seating surface. The test is conducted with a cushion made of 100 grams of newsprint, which is placed on the seating area and lit. To pass the test, the flame must go out on its own after 15 minutes at most. Moreover, the flame height must not be more than 45cm higher than the back rest; the armrests must not be reached by the flame.
Fire Protection for VS Upholstered Furniture
Even in the standard version, all VS upholstered furniture meets the classification standard P-c (low) and P-b (medium). Moreover, we offer a version that also conforms to the classification standard P-a (high). This most demanding classification standard can be reached only by a special upholstery structure with special fire protection treatment. Incidentally, this does not affect the design or comfort in any way.
Then get in touch with us!
- Contact request Marketing
This might also interest you
New Learning
Whether at school, university or at work – changes are part of life. Whether new developments in digitisation, adjustments to new circumstances or new challenges that you face. “New Learning” comes to the fore in this field of change.
What Furniture Gliders from VS do
Here you will find everything you need to know about selecting gliders. These enhance the sliding performance of chairs and tables while simultaneously protecting the floor, even under heavy loads.
Ergonomics at school
Children and adolescents spend a large part of their time in classrooms — often even longer than before due to all-day care. Ergonomics is therefore particularly important and requires a room design that comprehensively supports the physical, mental, and social developmental processes of young people.
Spread the word Arouse interest
Share this page and arouse interest in others.