The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended in 1989, 1993, and 2010) set fire resistance standards for domestic upholstered furniture and furnishings. This overview aims to help suppliers understand these regulations and their implications.
Overview of the Regulations
The regulations ensure that upholstery components used in furniture meet specific ignition resistance levels. They require suppliers to label products properly. Here are the six main elements:
- Filling materials: Must meet specific ignition requirements.
- Upholstery composites: Must be cigarette resistant.
- Covers: Must be match resistant, with certain exceptions.
- Permanent label: Must be on every new furniture item, except mattresses and bed bases.
- Display label: Must be on every new furniture item at the point of sale, with some exceptions.
- Record keeping: The first supplier must maintain records for five years to prove compliance.
Who Enforces the Regulations?
The Trading Standards Department enforces these regulations. For advice or more information, contact them via their website, telephone, or local office.
Key Resources
For detailed information, refer to the following:
- Statutory Instruments (1988 No. 1324, 1989 No. 2358, 1993 No. 207, 2010 No. 2205)
- FIRA’s Guide to the UK Regulations
Summary of Compliance Requirements
- Testing: Furniture must meet ignition resistance standards. This includes foam and non-foam fillings, composites, interliners, and covers.
- Labelling: Display and permanent labels must indicate compliance with fire resistance standards.
- Record Keeping: Manufacturers, importers, and retailers must keep records of compliance for five years.
Responsibilities of Suppliers
The regulations apply to anyone in the supply chain, including manufacturers, retailers, importers, and those offering re-upholstery services. They also affect second-hand furniture suppliers, auctioneers, and charities.
Suppliers must ensure their products meet the regulations. This includes:
- Manufacturers: Ensure all components and finished products comply with fire resistance standards.
- Retailers: Verify that products have the necessary labels and documentation.
- Importers: Ensure imported furniture complies with UK regulations.
- Re-upholsterers: Use compliant materials and label products accordingly.
Special Cases
The regulations also cover furniture hired out in the course of business, including furnished rental properties, holiday homes, and care homes. Landlords and letting agents must ensure their furniture complies.
Products Covered
The regulations cover various products, including:
- Upholstered seating (chairs, settees, stools, ottomans)
- Children’s furniture, bean bags, floor cushions
- Domestic furniture in kit form for self-assembly
- Outdoor furniture suitable for home use
- Divans, bed bases, mattresses, pillows (filling material only)
- Scatter cushions, seat pads (filling material only)
- Permanent and loose covers for furniture
- Foam and non-foam filling materials
Exemptions
The regulations do not apply to:
- Furniture intended for export
- Furniture made before 1950
- Sleeping bags, bedclothes (including duvets), loose mattress covers, pillowcases, curtains, and carpets
Testing and Labelling
Manufacturers, importers, and retailers must ensure that:
- Foam fillings meet Schedule 1 requirements
- Non-foam fillings meet Schedule 2 requirements
- Composite fillings comply with either individual or total composite testing
- Upholstery composites pass the cigarette test (Schedule 4)
- Covers pass the match test (Schedule 5)
Permanent and display labels must be visible and meet specific information requirements. Detailed instructions for labelling are provided in the regulations.
Record Keeping
All parties in the supply chain must maintain records of compliance. This includes:
- Supplier statements
- Test results
- Correlation of test results to specific furniture items
- Labels, batch numbers, or marks
Manufacturers and importers must keep these records for five years. Retailers should ensure they receive compliance certificates from suppliers.
Conclusion
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations ensure that upholstered furniture meets fire resistance standards. By complying with these regulations, suppliers help protect consumers and promote fire safety. For detailed guidance, consult the FIRA guide and relevant statutory instruments.
