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Technical reference

UK fire test standards & certificates explained

Understand the standard your material needs and the valid Certificate of Fire Retardant Treatment we issue after competent, compliant treatment.

Standards covered: BS 5867-2 · BS 5852 · BS 7837 · BS EN 13501-1

04CLASSIFICATION
03PASS CRITERIA
01 — 05 FIRE TEST
REFERENCE
Standard
Method
Result

Reading fire test information

Each standard answers a different question

Fire Proofing Ltd provides the complete route from material assessment and specialist product selection to competent treatment and the certificate customers need for venues, insurers and fire-safety records. The sections below explain the supporting standards and test methods.

01 Identify the product02 Check the test method03 Read the result and scope

Fabric assemblies

BS 5867 Part 2 Type B

Flammability requirements for fabrics and fabric assemblies used for non-domestic curtains, drapes and window blinds.

OrientationVertical specimenIgnition sourcePropane flameFlame application15 secondsAssessmentLength & width

Test sequence

  1. 01

    Prepare and conditionThe fabric is tested in the form in which it will be used. Applicable wetting or cleansing procedures are completed before conditioning.

  2. 02

    Mount verticallyRepresentative specimens are mounted in the specified holder. Multi-layer curtains are assessed in the combination in which they will be used.

  3. 03

    Apply the flameA defined propane flame is applied to the face of the specimen for 15 seconds.

  4. 04

    Observe the behaviourFlame spread, hole formation and the separation of flaming debris are recorded for specimens cut in both fabric directions.

Type B pass criteria

  • ✓The flame does not reach any edge of the specimen.
  • ✓No hole formed by the flame reaches any edge.
  • ✓No flaming debris separates from the specimen.

Important: finished multi-layer assemblies should be tested as used, rather than assuming the result for one fabric applies to the complete curtain.

Durability, identification and care information +

BS 5867-2 considers performance before and, where applicable, after the specified cleansing or wetting procedure. Supplied fabric should carry identifying information, a statement of flammability compliance and any care instructions needed to maintain performance.

Ignitability

BS 5852 Part 1

Two small ignition-source tests assess the ignitability of an upholstery composite: a smouldering cigarette and a match-flame equivalent.

A

BS EN 1021-1Smouldering cigarette

  1. A representative seat-and-back test rig is assembled from the cover and filling materials.
  2. A lit cigarette is placed in the junction between the horizontal and vertical surfaces.
  3. The assembly is observed for progressive smouldering or flaming for the defined observation period.
Pass indicators

No unsafe escalating combustion, no smouldering to an extremity or through the full thickness, and no progressive smouldering beyond the permitted time or damage limits.

B

BS EN 1021-2Match-flame equivalent

  1. The same representative upholstery arrangement is used.
  2. A 35 mm butane flame is applied at specified positions for 15 seconds.
  3. Flaming and progressive smouldering are observed after the burner is removed.
Pass indicators

No unsafe escalating combustion, no flame reaching an extremity or passing through the full thickness, and no flaming that continues beyond 120 seconds after the burner is removed.

The result relates to the tested composite—the cover, interliner where present, filling and their arrangement—not automatically to each material used in another construction.

Higher ignition source

BS 5852: Crib 5

Ignition Source 5 uses a defined wooden crib to assess whether a representative upholstery composite resists a substantially larger flaming source.

Ignition Source 5 positioned at the seat-and-back junction

Procedure

  1. 01

    Construct the test rigThe cover, filling and any interliner are assembled to represent the intended seating construction.

  2. 02

    Position the cribThe prescribed wooden crib and alcohol-soaked lint are placed at the seat-and-back junction.

  3. 03

    Ignite and observeFlaming, progressive smouldering, specimen consumption and debris are monitored.

  4. 04

    Dismantle and examineThe assembly is opened after the test to identify continuing smouldering and the extent of internal damage.

SMOULDERING

Failure is indicated by

  • Detectable smoke, heat or glowing continuing 60 minutes after ignition.
  • Unsafe escalating smouldering requiring forcible extinction.
  • Smouldering to an extremity or through the full thickness.
FLAMING

Failure is indicated by

  • Flaming continuing for more than 10 minutes after ignition.
  • Unsafe escalating combustion or consumption of the specimen.
  • Flames reaching an extremity or debris causing a sustained floor fire.
FINAL EXAMINATION

The dismantled rig checks

  • Whether progressive smouldering remains within the assembly.
  • The internal extent of charring away from the ignition source.
  • Whether all relevant acceptance criteria have been met.

Temporary structures

BS 7837

Specifies flammability performance for textiles used in the construction of marquees and similar textile structures.

01

Representative material

The test sample must represent the actual textile construction, including relevant coating, finish, seams or layers.

02

Conditioning

Specimens are prepared and conditioned as required so that the result reflects the defined state of the material.

03

Flame exposure

Vertically oriented specimens are exposed to the prescribed ignition source and their burning behaviour is observed.

04

Performance assessment

Flame spread and related behaviour are compared with the standard's acceptance requirements.

Weathering matters

A test result applies to the material in its tested condition. Outdoor exposure, washing, soaking, coatings and later alterations can affect whether the evidence remains representative.

Reaction to fire

BS EN 13501-1

The European classification system combines reaction-to-fire test data into a class describing fire contribution, smoke production and flaming droplets or particles.

BFire contributionVery limited contribution to fire
–
s2Smoke productionMedium smoke production
,
d0Flaming dropletsNo flaming droplets or particles
SFI
BS EN ISO 11925-2

Single-flame source test

A small flame is applied to a specimen to assess ignitability and vertical flame spread under defined exposure conditions.

SBI
BS EN 13823

Single Burning Item test

A corner arrangement is exposed to a burner. Heat release, fire growth, smoke production, lateral flame spread and flaming droplets are measured.

A1Non-combustibleA2BCDEFNo performance determined
!

Classification has a defined scope. The report identifies the tested product, mounting, fixing, substrate, air gap, joints and field of application. A classification should not be transferred to a different build-up without evidence that the change is covered.

Reading the paperwork

Certificate, test report or classification report?

These documents record different things. Their title alone does not establish whether they cover a particular product or installation.

01

Fire-retardant treatment certificate

Valid evidence that identified items were competently treated to the applicable standard using the appropriate specialist system. It records the site, date, material, product, application and completed work.

Evidence of compliant treatment
02

Laboratory test report

Records the specimen, preparation, test method, observations, measured results and conclusion from a particular fire test.

Evidence of a test
03

Classification report

Uses relevant test data to assign a formal classification and defines the product and field of application covered by that classification.

Evidence of classification
04

Manufacturer's supporting evidence

May include product test reports, application rates, suitable substrates, limitations and maintenance instructions for a treatment system.

Evidence supporting a system

Technical glossary

Terms used in fire testing

Short definitions for reading reports and specifications.

Afterflame
Flaming that continues after the ignition source has been removed.
Afterglow
Glowing combustion that continues after flames have ceased.
Composite
The complete combination of cover, interliner, filling and construction tested together.
Conditioning
Holding specimens under specified temperature and humidity before testing.
Field of application
The range of products, constructions or end uses to which a result may legitimately apply.
Flaming debris
Burning material that separates from the specimen during a test.
Ignition source
The defined flame, cigarette, crib or other heat source used in the test.
Substrate
The material or construction onto which a tested product is fixed or bonded.

Source standards

Further reading

This page is an explanatory overview and does not reproduce the standards in full. For specifications, sampling, apparatus, tolerances and complete acceptance criteria, consult the current standard and the relevant test laboratory.

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