Designed by the British Standards Institute (BSI), the BS 7176 standard is a classification standard that refers only to other testing standards. The standard is used to evaluate which fire test upholstered furniture should be tested, depending on the end-use environment.
Upholstered furniture for domestic use is not within the scope of this standard, instead it is implemented with the amendments to the "Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulation 1988".
In the UK, all non-domestic furniture must be classified according to hazard categories – low, medium, high and very high risk. Different test standards are referred to depending on the use of the furniture.
BS 7176 Test Method
Test Method for Low Hazard
Resistant to ignition source: a smoldering cigarette as specified in BS EN 1021-1. Ignition source resistant: matched to the flame equivalent specified in BS EN 1021-2. Typical examples: colleges, day centres, exhibitions, museums, offices, schools, universities.
Test Method for Medium Hazard
Resistant to ignition source: smoldering cigarette according to BS EN 1021-1. Ignition source resistant: matched with flame equivalent according to BS EN 1021-2. Resistant to ignition source 5852 for flooring composites according to BS 5. Typical examples: casinos, hospitals, hostels, public entertainment venues, public buildings, public halls, public houses and bars, restaurants, service scumbags.
Test Method for High Hazard
Resistant to ignition source: smoldering cigarette according to BS EN 1021-1. Ignition source resistant: matched with flame equivalent according to BS EN 1021-2. Ignition source for flooring composites according to BS 5852 is resistant to 7. Typical examples: offshore installations, sleep accommodation in certain hospital wards and hostels.
Test Method for Very High Hazard
Resistant to ignition source: smoldering cigarette according to BS EN 1021-1. Ignition source resistant: matched with flame equivalent according to BS EN 1021-2. Resistant to ignition source 5852 according to BS 7. High hazard requirements as a minimum, with additional requirements at specifier's discretion Typical examples: locked psychiatric accommodation, prison cells.
If a particular building in the low danger zone is also used for sleeping purposes, consideration should be given to specifying a higher performance level. Upholstered furniture normally intended for private use in a residence is subject to government regulations.
Our organization also provides testing services for BS 7176 Fire Test on Upholstered Furniture for Out-of-Home Seats, within the framework of laboratory services of materials.
To get an appointment, to get more detailed information or to request an evaluation, you can ask us to fill in our form and reach you.
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