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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 5852:1990
Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1
and 2

Methods of test for

Assessment of the
ignitability of
upholstered seating by
smouldering and
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

flaming ignition
sources
 BS 5852:1990

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Consumer and
Contract Goods Standards Policy Committee (CCM/-) to Technical Committee
CCM/44, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association for Consumer Research (ACRE)

Association of Consulting Scientists
Bolton Institute of Higher Education
Branded Furniture Society
British Contract Furnishing Association
British Furniture Manufacturers’ Federation
British Plastics Federation
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British Textile Technology Group

Chemical Industries Association
Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association
Confederation of British Wool Textiles Limited
Consumer Policy Committee of BSI
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Trade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit, CA Division)
EEA (the Electronics and Business Equipment Association)
Furniture Industry Research Association
Home Office
Institute of Trading Standards Administration
International Wool Secretariat
Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association Limited
London Scientific Services
Man-made Fibres Producers’ Committee
National Bed Federation Limited
National Fillings Trades Association
RAPRA Technology Ltd.
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
Textile Research Council (ECRA)
direction of the Consumer and Warrington Fire Research Centre
Contract Goods Standards Policy
Committee, was published under
the authority of the Board of BSI
and comes into effect on
31 December 1990

© BSI 03-2000

First published in Parts, Part 1

November 1979 and Part 2 Amendments issued since publication
August 1982 (still current)
Second edition as BS 5852
December 1990
Amd. No. Date Comments

7349 October 1992

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
8085 February 1994 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
Committee reference CCM/44
Draft for comment 88/37556 DC

ISBN 0 580 19157 5

 BS 5852:1990

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. General and guidance
0 Introduction 1
1 Scope 2
2 Definitions 2
3 General principle 3
4 Health and safety of operators 3
5 Atmosphere for conditioning and testing 3
Section 2. Smouldering ignition source
6 Smouldering cigarette 4
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Section 3. Flaming ignition sources

7 Butane gas flames and flaming wooden cribs 5
Section 4. Methods of test for the ignitability of upholstery composites
8 Principle 12
9 Apparatus 12
10 Test specimens 12
11 Criteria of ignition 15
12 Test procedure 17
13 Test results 19
14 Test report 19
Section 5. Methods of test for the ignitability of complete items of furniture
15 General 22
16 Principle 22
17 Health and safety of operators 22
18 Apparatus 22
19 Test specimens 22
20 Test zones 22
21 Criteria of ignition 26
22 Test procedure 26
23 Test results 28
24 Test report 28
Appendix A Guidance for designers and specifiers 29
Appendix B Guidance for test operators 30
Appendix C Test hierarchy 31
Appendix D Preferred test report layout 33
Figure 1 — Crib 4 8
Figure 2 — Crib 5 8
Figure 3 — Crib 6 9
Figure 4 — Crib 7 10
Figure 5 — Test rig detail 13
Figure 6 — Test rig assembly 14
Figure 7 — Details of test specimens for fabric covers and
interliners for use with the test rig 16
Figure 8 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for gas flame
sources 1, 2 and 3 20
Figure 9 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for wood crib
sources 4, 5, 6 and 7 21

© BSI 03-2000 i
 BS 5852:1990

Page
Figure 10 — Specified “ideal” model position for ignition source
on seat 24
Figure 11 — Departures from “ideal” model position for ignition
source on seat because of design variations 25
Figure 12 — Additional model positions of ignition sources for
tip-up seats 25
Figure 13 — Specified model positions for ignition source on floor 26
Figure 14 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for
source 0 (cigarette) 18
Figure 15 — Flow chart of test hierarchy 32
Table 1 — Parameters of ignition sources 1, 2 and 3 6
Table 2 — Parameters of crib ignition sources 4 and 5 6
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Table 3 — Parameters of crib ignition sources 6 and 7 6

Table 4 — Distance of test specimen above top of ignition source 23
Table 5 — Suggested grading of sticks on mass/unit length basis 31
Publication(s) referred to Inside back cover

ii © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Consumer
and Contract Goods Standards Policy Committee. It is a revision and
development of BS 5852-1:1979 and BS 5852-2:1982 and of The Crown Suppliers
Fire test specification No. 6 Ignition standard for seating. However, since the
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1324) refer to
the earlier editions of the standard, neither BS 5852-1:1979 nor BS 5852-2:1982
are to be withdrawn at the present time. This standard extends the range of
ignition tests provided by BS EN 1021-1:1993 and BS EN 1021-2:1993.
The combined document also draws on the improvements incorporated in
BS 6807 especially with regard to the rationalization of the criteria of ignition,
and consists of the following sections.
— Section 1: General and guidance;
— Section 2: Smouldering ignition source;
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— Section 3: Flaming ignition sources;

— Section 4: Methods of test for the ignitability of upholstery composites;
— Section 5: Methods of test for the ignitability of complete items of furniture.
The range of methods specified enables an assessment to be made of the
ignitability of upholstered furniture assemblies. These assemblies may be test
composites as described in section 4, which may be subjected to any one of a range
of flaming ignition sources, or complete items of furniture as described in
section 5, which may be subjected to a smouldering cigarette or any one of a range
of flaming ignition sources.
NOTE The tests described in section 5 may also be applied to non-upholstered seating.
It cannot be assumed that protection against large flaming sources will
automatically give protection against smouldering ignition. Users of the standard
should therefore recognize the need to submit test specimens to both smouldering
and flaming ignition tests.
WARNING. The results of these laboratory tests relate to the behaviour of the
test specimens as supplied under the particular conditions of test and do not take
into consideration the effects of ageing, washing, soiling, etc. that may be
encountered during the life of the product. It has to be recognized that these tests
cannot give a full assessment of fire properties in all situations.
Measures taken to reduce the ignitability of an assembly may adversely affect
other fire properties such as smoke and toxic gas evolution and this aspect may
require consideration when materials and construction techniques are being
evaluated.
Flow diagrams illustrating a systematic method for the detection of ignition
throughout a test sequence are given in Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 14.
Appendix A gives guidance for designers and specifiers.
Appendix B gives guidance for test operators. It is important that the details
given in the appendix are studied before testing is carried out.
Appendix C is a flow chart relating the different test sections and indicates a
logical test sequence.
Attention is drawn to BS 7176 which applies the tests described in this standard
to upholstered furniture in various hazard areas.

© BSI 03-2000 iii

 BS 5852:1990

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
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Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 34, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

iv © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Section 1. General and guidance

0 Introduction 0.2.2 The form of the test rig was decided after
observation of many ignition experiments had
0.1 Objective
shown that the position at which accidentally
The objective of this standard is to measure the dropped cigarettes are most likely to cause ignition
ignitability of upholstered furniture composites is in any angle between adjacent surfaces, whereas
and/or complete pieces of furniture. accidentally dropped flaming materials have worse
No method using realistic shapes yet exists for effects where vertical and horizontal surfaces are
measuring levels of ignition on a continuous scale involved. These situations have been modelled even
for these composites and consequently the methods though in practice the assembly might be used only
used in this standard provide ignition/non-ignition on a single surface. The results, therefore, provide a
results at a number of fixed levels. One smouldering measure of the ignitability of a combination of cover
source together with a range of flaming sources, and filling which is equally valid for the different
whose energy rises by a factor of approximately two designs of furniture in which the combination might
at each step, are used. Thus a level representing the be used and for the different applications in that
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

boundary of ignition can be associated with a furniture.

particular construction. Although the levels do not The design of the furniture is an important
form a continuous series, they do provide more additional consideration which can enhance or
information than an arbitrary single go/no go result detract from the flammability performance of the
and so allow smaller variations in ignitability to be item. For example, there may be pleats or folds in
related to actual hazards. the primary cover; loops or crevices created by
This assessment is intended eventually to form part braids, piping, zips, inches or other trimmings;
of a much fuller fire hazard assessment when work traps and chimneys created by cushions; the
now in progress on fire development and smoke and presence of wing arms or other overhangs; or an
toxic hazards in fire is completed. exposed area beneath the seat which is vulnerable
to ignition from floor level. In such cases stylized
0.2 Background
representation is not easily possible nor practical.
0.2.1 An assessment of the results of various For these reasons tests on actual items are included
research projects, carried out to investigate the fire in this standard.
properties of furniture, clearly indicates that tests Ideally these tests should be the final stage of the
carried out on component materials in isolation sifting process for ignitability, when the most useful
could not give a true indication of their behaviour candidate constructions are checked to ensure that
when combined with other component materials in the extra complexities of shape and added materials
a piece of furniture. Therefore, to evaluate the do not render the predictions from rig tests
ignitability of any item of seating, having due misleading.
regard to the effects of interactions between
materials and of design, it is necessary to test the 0.2.3 The following ignition sources are specified.
complete finished item of furniture. Such testing a) Smouldering. This consists of a single cigarette
procedures are contained in section 5. However, since it is unrealistic to use multiple cigarettes at
there is a very wide range of designs and materials a single position and the “fail-safe” magnitude is
employed, so tests have been developed to assess a full cigarette rather than smaller parts.
upholstery materials combined together to give
information regarding the ignitability properties of
assemblies that might be used in a number of
different circumstances. Model tests (see section 4)
of this kind can eliminate the least useful
combinations from further consideration in the
design process.

© BSI 03-2000 1
 BS 5852:1990

b) Flaming. This range consists of butane flames The ignitability of a complete item of furniture may
and burning wooden cribs which form a sequence be determined by applying the sources in the order
of increasing thermal output from that of source 0 to source 7, but for many specification
approximating to the burning of a small flame to purposes a test(s) involving one, or a limited number
that approximating to the burning of four double of selected sources, may be required.
sheets of a full-size newspaper. It has to be In the case of the tests described in section 5 the
emphasized that the cribs are not intended to results will be applicable only to the finished item of
reproduce burning newspapers in all respects and furniture tested.
the thermal output comparisons are given for
guidance only. The cribs have been designed to 1 Scope
give an additional weight loading (greater than
that obtained with newspaper) on the upholstery This British Standard when used in conjunction
composite. This is important in order to include with BS EN 1021-1:1993 and BS EN 1021-2:1993,
situations that may occur in practice and to describes methods for assessing the ignitability of
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

ensure that the test method errs on the side of material combinations, e.g. covers and fillings used
safety with combinations prone to failure under in upholstered seating, or complete items of seating,
load. Examples of these situations might be high when subjected to either a smouldering cigarette or
localized cover tension induced by deep-buttoned to flaming ignition sources of thermal output
upholstery, or the presence of heavy books close ranging from that of a burning match to that
to the ignition source. approximating to the burning of four double sheets
of full-size newspaper, as might be applied
These sources are also static and apply their
accidentally to any item of furniture.
energy over a restricted area. Some real life
NOTE 1 It does not necessarily cover ignition caused by
sources spread flames gradually over a larger deliberate acts of vandalism with arson.
area of the composite. The latter type of
A specimen tested as described in section 4
behaviour is different from, and is not modelled
comprises a single fabric, interlining (if used) and
by, the larger ignition sources of equivalent
infill. If the proposed item of furniture comprises
thermal energy defined in this standard.
different combinations of materials in the seat, back
0.2.4 The scenarios modelled by these tests do not and arms, all such combinations are tested
include deliberate arson and/or vandalism, though separately on the rig.
the tests include the application of reasonably large
Possible ways in which the standard can be used
sources to undamaged furniture. The larger sources
either to indicate the potential ignitability of
are intended to cover situations where a higher
components in conjunction with other specified
degree of carelessness is more probable or for
materials or where more specific information is
locations where a higher level of resistance to
required about design features are given in
secondary ignition is paramount. If arson is an
Appendix A.
important part of the in-use situation then other
test methods attempting to reproduce the ingenuity Section 5 describes methods for assessing the
of the fire-raiser should be carried out. ignitability of complete items of furniture.
NOTE 2 The titles of the publications referred to in this
0.3 Method of use standard are listed on the inside back cover.
The test methods in section 4 measure the
ignitability of the overall composite of materials, 2 Definitions
i.e. cover(s), infill materials, etc. as constructed on For the purposes of this British Standard, the
the test specimen. The results can not be stated as following definitions apply.
being applicable to the general behaviour of any
individual component but only to the total 2.1
composite tested. ignition source
The ignitability of an assembly may be determined source of energy which is used to ignite combustible
by applying the sources in the order of source 2 to materials or products
source 7, but for many specification purposes a 2.2
test(s) involving one, or a limited number of selected smouldering
sources, may be required.
the combustion of a material with or without the
The ignitability of an assembly may be determined emission of light and generally evidenced by smoke
by applying sources 0 to 1 which are defined in and an increase in temperature but without a flame
BS EN 1021-1:1993 and BS EN 1021-2:1993
respectively.

2 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

2.3 4 Health and safety of operators

progressive smouldering
NOTE There is considerable risk with these tests and it is
smouldering that is self-propagating, essential that suitable precautions be taken, which may include
i.e. independent of the ignition source the provision of breathing apparatus and protective clothing.

2.4 4.1 Enclosure

flaming For safety, the tests shall be conducted in a suitable
undergoing combustion in the gaseous phase with fume cupboard or purpose-built room so that
individuals are not exposed to any fumes
the emission of light and heat
(see 9.4 and 18.3).
2.5
4.2 Extinguishers
flammability
the ability of a material or product to burn with a Readily accessible means of extinguishing the test
specimens shall be provided.
flame under specified test conditions
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NOTE 1 For preference, water should be provided for

2.6 smouldering fires and a fire extinguisher for flaming fires.
ignitability Carbon dioxide extinguishers are not suitable for extinguishing
test specimens.
a measure of the ease with which a material, NOTE 2 Extinction of test specimens may be difficult and care
product or component can be ignited so as to flame should be taken that they are disposed of only when completely
or progressively smoulder inert. It may be necessary to immerse smouldering specimens in
water, or place them in a sealed non-combustible enclosure. To
2.7 ensure complete safety other suitable steps may have to be taken.
test zones
those components and/or design features of the test
5 Atmosphere for conditioning and
specimen which are nominated for localized testing testing
5.1 Conditioning
3 General principle All test specimen materials shall be conditioned
A test specimen is subjected to a series of ignition immediately before the test for 72 h in indoor
sources. The series is designed to represent a range ambient conditions and then for at least 16 h
of actual intensities that might be accidentally at 20 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 20 % r.h.
encountered in various end-use environments. 5.2 Testing
In section 4 the test rig stylizes the critical geometry
For testing, a substantially draught-free
of vertical/horizontal junctions typically found in
environment having a temperature of 23 ± 7 °C and
furniture, but tests a single cover/filling
a relative humidity of 45 ± 25 % shall be used.
combination. In section 5 the test specimen consists
NOTE Certain performance specifications and upholstered
of a complete item of furniture. furniture safety regulations may require additional
pre-treatment, e.g. a water soak before conditioning. These
requirements and any pre-treatment shall be noted in the test
report (see clauses 14 and 24 and Appendix D).

© BSI 03-2000 3
 BS 5852:1990

Section 2. Smouldering ignition source

6 Smouldering cigarette Mark the cigarette, conditioned as described in 6.3,

at 5 mm and 55 mm from the end to be lit. Light it
6.1 General
as described in 6.4 and impale it horizontally in
In normal use the smouldering ignition source most draught-free air on a horizontal wire spike inserted
likely to be encountered by furniture is a not more than 13 mm into the unlit end. Record the
smouldering cigarette. An untipped standard-sized time taken to smoulder from the 5 mm mark to
cigarette has been selected as representative of the the 55 mm mark.
most severe of the range of cigarettes on sale. This 6.3 Conditioning of cigarettes
source is designated ignition source 0.
The cigarettes shall be conditioned immediately
6.2 Smouldering cigarette, source 0 before the test for 72 h in indoor ambient conditions
Source 0 shall be an untipped cigarette1) complying and then for at least 16 h at 20 ± 5 °C
with the following: and 50 ± 20 % r.h.
length (a): 70 ± 4 mm; 6.4 Igniting the cigarette
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diameter (b): 8 ± 0.5 mm; Light a cigarette and draw air through it until the
mass (c): 1 ± 0.1 g; tip glows brightly. Not less than 5 mm and not more
smouldering 12 ± 3.0 min over 50 mm than 8 mm of the cigarette shall be consumed in this
rate (d): distance. operation.

The smouldering rate shall be verified as follows on

one sample from each batch of 10 cigarettes used.

1)
For information on the availability of a suitable cigarette apply to Enquiry Section, BSI, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes
MK14 6LE enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for reply.

4 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Section 3. Flaming ignition sources

7 Butane gas flames and flaming Great care needs to be exercised with the
wooden cribs measurement and setting of the flow rate of the
butane. Direct reading flowmeters, even those
7.1 General obtained with a direct butane calibration, need to be
A range of seven flaming ignition sources are checked when initially installed and also at
provided, numbered in ascending order of severity intervals by a method capable of measuring
from ignition source 1 to ignition source 7, accurately the absolute butane flow at the burner
approximating to the burning of four double sheets tube. One way of doing this is to connect the burner
of a full-size newspaper. tube with a short length of tubing, of approximate
7.2 Butane gas flame, ignition internal diameter 7 mm, to a soap bubble
sources 1, 2 and 3 flowmeter, such that the upward passage of a soap
film meniscus in a glass tube of calibrated volume
7.2.1 Burner and controls (e.g. a burette) over a known period of time gives an
A burner tube consisting of a length of stainless absolute measurement of the flow. Fine control
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steel tube, 8.0 ± 0.1 mm outside valves which can each be preset to one of the desired
diameter, 6.5 ± 0.1 mm internal diameter butane flow rates, with simple switching means
and 200 ± 5 mm in length, is connected by flexible from one to the other, have also proved helpful.
tubing via a flowmeter, fine control valve, on-off 7.3 Crib ignition sources 4, 5, 6 and 7
valve (optional) and cylinder regulator complying
with BS 3016 and providing a nominal outlet 7.3.1 Materials and construction
pressure of 28 mbar2) to a cylinder containing The following are required for the construction of
butane (see BS 4250-1). the cribs:
NOTE 1 Such steel tubing may be marketed as 5/16 in outside a) dry planks of the softwood Pinus silvestris
diameter, 0.028 in wall thickness. Where tubing of these (Scots pine), which have been stored in warm dry
dimensions is not readily available, stainless steel tubing of
approximately similar dimensions may be used providing that conditions for a minimum of 1 week;
the 50 mm length at the “flame” end of the tube is machined to b) BPC grade absorbent surgical lint,
the given size.
approximately 200 g/m2, which is cut into
NOTE 2 Possible variations in performance may occur when
the gas cylinder is nearly empty. nominal squares 40 mm × 40 mm (each square
The flowmeter is calibrated to supply butane gas having a mass of approximately 0.3 g);
flow rates as specified in Table 1. The flexible tubing c) polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or other suitable wood
connecting the output of the flowmeter to the burner adhesive for gluing together the sticks and lint.
tube is 2.5 m to 3.0 m in length with an internal 7.3.2 Assembly of the cribs
diameter of 7.0 ± 1.0 mm.
The crib parameters are given in Table 2 and
7.2.2 Gas flow control Table 3. The cribs are illustrated in Figure 1 to
It is essential that the rate of supply of the butane Figure 4. Suggested methods of construction are
to the burner tube complies with the flow rates given in 7.3.3.
specified. The required number and sizes of sticks,
NOTE Some difficulties have been reported with the supply and conditioned in accordance with 7.4, are selected to
measurement of the butane, particularly where the butane provide the required total mass and are assembled
cylinder has, of necessity, to be stored in an environment cooler
than the defined test conditions and/or some distance from the
into cribs with the square of lint incorporated, fluffy
test rig. In these cases, and in other situations where difficulties side uppermost when the crib is standing on its
occur, it is important that there is sufficient length of tubing base. The sticks in each layer are parallel to one
inside the controlled environment (23 ± 7 °C) to ensure that the another and at right angles to the sticks in the
butane equilibrates to the required temperature before flow
measurement. One way to assist this is to pass the butane, before adjacent layer. The sticks in each layer are placed as
flow measurement, through a metal tube immersed in water far away from each other as possible (except for the
maintained at a temperature such that flow corrections for two main crib sticks forming the base of crib 6), but
temperature variations are avoided (see Table 1).
without undue overhang at their ends, to form a
square-sectioned crib. The sticks are glued together
and the lint secured with small amounts of the
adhesive.

2)
1 mbar = 100 N/m2 = 0.1 kpa.

© BSI 03-2000 5
 BS 5852:1990

Table 1 — Parameters of ignition sources 1, 2 and 3

Parameter Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Gas flow rate 45 ± 2 ml/min at 25 °C a

160 ± 5 ml/min at 25 °C a
350 ± 10 ml/min at 25 °Ca
44 ± 2 ml/min at 20 °C 157 ± 5 ml/min at 20 °C 344 ± 10 ml/min at 20 °C
Gas burn time 20 ± 1 s 40 ± 1 s 70 ± 1 s
a
Under these conditions the flame height for source 1 is approximately 35 mm, for source 2 approximately 145 mm and for source 3
approximately 240 mm, measured from the top of the burner tube when held vertically upwards and when the flames are burning
freely in air.

Table 2 — Parameters of crib ignition sources 4 and 5

Source
Parameter
4 5
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Stick length 40 ± 2 mm 40 ± 2 mm
Stick square section 6.5 ± 0.5 mm 6.5 ± 0.5 mm
Number of sticks 10 20
Total mass of sticks 8.5 ± 0.5 g 17 ± 1 g
Number of layers each of two sticks 5 10
Approximate lint dimensions 40 mm × 40 mm 40 mm × 40 mm
NOTE See B.1.

Table 3 — Parameters of crib ignition sources 6 and 7

Source
Parameter
6 7

Main crib stick length 80 ± 2 mm 80 ± 2 mm

Main crib stick square section 12.5 ± 0.5 mm 12.5 ± 0.5 mm
Number of sticks main crib 8 18
Number of layers each of two sticks in main crib 4 9
Ignition crib base stick length 80 ± 2 mm 80 ± 2 mm
Ignition crib stick length 40 ± 2 mm 40 ± 2 mm
Square section of all sticks in the ignition crib 6.5 ± 0.5 mm 6.5 ± 0.5 mm
Number of ignition crib base sticks 2 4
Number of ignition crib sticks 8 6
Number of layers each of two sticks in ignition crib 5 5
Total mass of main and ignition crib sticks 60 ± 2 g 126 ± 4 g
Approximate lint dimensions 40 mm × 40 mm 40 mm × 40 mm
NOTE See B.1.

6 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

7.3.3 Suggested methods of construction 7.3.3.4 Crib 7

NOTE A simple way to ensure that the core of the crib is correct Glue together 16 of the main crib sticks to form the
is to build the crib around a former. A smooth hardwood block main crib body to make construction A. Glue
nominally 27 mm × 27 mm × 100 mm is suitable for cribs 4 and 5
and the inner cribs of sources 6 and 7. A hardwood block together the six ignition crib sticks plus two of the
nominally 55 mm × 55 mm × 150 mm is suitable for cribs 6 ignition crib base sticks to form the ignition crib
and 7. The sticks are glued around the block and the block body; stick one square of lint across the ignition crib
removed before the glue sets. For example, crib 5 is made by
gluing 18 sticks together, removing the block, fixing lint in place
square section and then glue on the remaining two
on top and then gluing on the remaining two sticks. ignition crib base sticks to form the ignition crib;
7.3.3.1 Crib 4 glue on the remaining two main crib sticks to make
construction B [see Figure 4 (a)]. When the adhesive
Glue together eight sticks to form the main crib is set, invert construction B and glue it to
body. Stick one square of lint across the crib square construction A [see Figure 4 (b)].
section and then glue on the remaining two sticks to
form the base (see Figure 1). 7.4 Conditioning
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7.3.3.2 Crib 5 The sticks and the cribs shall be conditioned

immediately before the test for 72 h in indoor
Glue together 18 sticks to form the main crib body. ambient conditions and then for at least 16 h
Stick one square of lint across the crib square at 20 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 20 % r.h.
section and then glue on the remaining two sticks to
form the base (see Figure 2).
7.3.3.3 Crib 6
Glue together six of the main crib sticks to form the
main crib body to make construction A. Glue
together the eight ignition crib sticks and the two
ignition crib base sticks; stick one square of lint
across the ignition crib square section and then glue
the remaining two main crib sticks to make
construction B [see Figure 3 (a)]. When the adhesive
is set invert construction B and glue it to
construction A [see Figure 3 (b)].

© BSI 03-2000 7
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

8
BS 5852:1990

Figure 2 — Crib 5
Figure 1 — Crib 4

© BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Figure 3 — Crib 6

9
BS 5852:1990
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

10
BS 5852:1990

Figure 4 — Crib 7 (continued)

© BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Figure 4 — Crib 7 (concluded)

11
BS 5852:1990
 BS 5852:1990

Section 4. Methods of test for the ignitability of

upholstery composites

8 Principle 9.4 Test enclosure, either a room with a volume

greater than 20 m3 (which contains adequate
Materials forming an upholstery composite are
oxygen for testing), or a smaller enclosure with a
assembled together on the test rig appropriate to the
through flow of air equipped with inlet and
ignition source being used. This apparatus
extraction systems. Air flow rates shall be
incorporates features designed to model the aspects
between 0.02 m/s and 0.2 m/s in the locality of the
of upholstered seating critical to ignition and so to test specimen position.
provide a means of measuring the potential
NOTE These limits provide adequate oxygen without
ignitability of the composite. disturbing the burning behaviour.
The test composite consists of vertically and The atmosphere within the enclosure during the
horizontally oriented components which comprise a test shall have a temperature of 23 ± 7 °C and a
single combination of covering fabric, interlining relative humidity of 45 ± 25 %. A means of
(if used) and infill material. These shall be extracting smoke and toxic gases shall be provided
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

representative of the upper 75 mm of the upholstery for all such enclosures.

of the upholstered furniture.
9.5 Propan-2-ol (for ignition sources 4, 5, 6 and 7
NOTE If two or more different combinations of covering fabric,
interlining and infill material exist in the upholstery of the
only).
upholstered furniture then each different combination shall be 9.6 Graduated glass syringe or other suitable
tested using separate test specimens comprising a single covering measuring instrument, capable of
fabric, interliner (if used) and infill material. Tests in which
more than one combination of fabric, interliner and infill are measuring 1.4 ± 0.1 mL of propan-2-ol.
used to model the seat/back junction of a seat are described in
Appendix A. 10 Test specimens
9 Apparatus 10.1 General

9.1 Test rig, consisting of two rectangular frames The test specimen shall be a structure comprising
hinged together and capable of being locked at right vertical and horizontal parts of the composite of
angles to each other. The test rig is illustrated in upholstery materials submitted for testing.
Figure 5 and Figure 6. These materials shall be representative of the cover,
The frames shall securely hold the expanded steel filling and other components to be used in the
platforms and a standard edging section may be upholstery composites.
used around the expanded steel to give protection 10.2 Cover material and fabric interliner
and greater rigidity. Test specimens used on the test rig described in 9.1
NOTE The size of the mesh of the expanded steel is not critical, shall be as shown in Figure 7.
but a mesh size across the diagonals of
approximately 28 mm × 6 mm has been found to be suitable. The The long dimension shall be cut parallel to the
expanded metal may bow slightly during test, but this has not machine direction. The cover may be constructed
been found to affect the result. However, certain performance from smaller pieces of test materials provided that
specifications and upholstered furniture regulations may require
a particular mesh size. the resulting seams do not occur within 100 mm of
For the test rig illustrated in Figure 6, the internal the area likely to be affected by the test or they are
located behind the pivot bar. If lack of test materials
width and height of the vertical frame shall
requires the use of additional alternative material,
be 450 ± 2 mm and the internal width and depth of
e.g. side extensions, their use shall be stated in the
the horizontal base frame shall
test report (see clause 14).
be 450 ± 2 mm × 300 ± 2 mm.
The frames shall be lockable at right angles through The cut-outs shall be positioned such that when
each of the pairs of members forming the back legs. assembled on the test rig the lie of any pile is down
the vertical assembly and from the hinge to the front
9.2 Stop clock, accurate to 1 s and capable of of the horizontal assembly. Where a fabric interliner
measuring at least 1 h. is used it is cut to the same dimensions, and in the
9.3 Ignition sources, as described in section 3 but same orientation as the cover, for fitting to the test
with the omission of source 1. rig under the cover.

12 © BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Figure 5 — Test rig detail

13
BS 5852:1990
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

14
BS 5852:1990

Figure 6 — Test rig assembly

© BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

10.3 Upholstery filling 11.2 Progressive smouldering ignition

For the purposes of section 4, all the following types
Two pieces of filling, of behaviour are considered to be progressive
one 450 ± 5 mm × 450 ± 5 mm × 75 ± 2 mm smouldering ignition (but see also 12.5):
thick and the a) any test specimen that displays escalating
other 450 ± 5 mm × 300 ± 5 mm × 75 ±2 mm thick, smouldering combustion behaviour so that it is
are required for each test. unsafe to continue the test and forcible extinction
Some cushioning assemblies may consist of several is required;
layers that may be typically felt, wadding or various b) for all flaming sources: any test specimen that
foams. Where the total thickness exceeds 75 mm, smoulders until it is essentially consumed or that
the upper 75 mm of the cushioning assembly is smoulders to the extremities of the specimen,
reproduced, except that the upper layer(s) are not that is to either side or to the full thickness of the
continued over and round the edges of the assembly. specimen, within the duration of the test;
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Where the filling is less than 75 mm thick the test c) for flaming ignition sources 2 and 3: any test
piece is built up to the required thickness by adding specimen that produces externally detectable
to the underside a further layer of the bottom amounts of smoke, heat or glowing 15 min after
material. removal of the burner tube;
If lack of test materials requires the use of d) for flaming ignition sources 4, 5, 6 and 7: any
additional alternative materials such as side test specimen that produces externally detectable
extensions, the additional materials shall not be amounts of smoke, heat or glowing 60 min after
positioned within 100 mm of the ignition source, or ignition of the crib;
above the top of the ignition source if used in the
e) any test specimen that, on final examination
vertical part of the test specimen. The use of
(see 12.5), shows evidence of charring within the
additional materials shall be noted in the test report
filling (other than discoloration) more
(see clause 14).
than 100 mm in any direction, apart from
Some kinds of loose filling materials, e.g. foam upwards, from the nearest part of the original
crumb or feathers, may be evaluated by this method position of the source.
of test. In these cases the loose filling is built up NOTE In practice it has been found that there is usually a
beneath the covering materials to reproduce clear distinction between materials that char under the
the 75 mm thickness of the assembly at a realistic influence of the ignition source but that do not propagate
filling density. Where necessary, a finer grid further (non-progressive) and those where smouldering
develops in extent and spreads (progressive).
material or air porous fabric may be laid over the
expanded metal of the test rig to retain the filling. 11.3 Flaming ignition
If, in use, the loose infill is enclosed in an interlining For the purposes of section 4, all the following types
(or ticking) it is acceptable to make up two bags of of behaviour are considered to be flaming ignition:
the interlining suitably filled and to the overall a) any test specimen that displays escalating
dimensions given above for use as the upholstery flaming combustion behaviour so that it is unsafe
filling beneath the cover(s). to continue the test and forcible extinction is
NOTE The test described in this section are unsuitable when required;
used with composites where the loose filling material flows out of
the assembly during the test and either extinguishes, moves or b) any test specimen that burns until it is
adversely affects the burning of the ignition source. A more essentially consumed within the test duration;
positive result may be obtained when such materials are tested
as a complete item of furniture as described in section 5.
c) any test specimen on which any flame front
reaches the extremities of the specimen other
11 Criteria of ignition than the top of the vertical part of the test
specimen or passes through the full thickness of
11.1 General the specimen within the duration of the test
Ignition criteria are given for progressive (but see 9.1 and note 2);
smouldering and for flaming. These are both critical d) for flaming ignition sources 2 and 3: any test
but are different modes of ignition and should be specimen that continues to flame for more
assessed separately. than 120 s after removal of the burner tube;
NOTE A flow diagram illustrating a systematic method for the e) for flaming ignition sources 4 and 5: any test
detection of ignition throughout a test sequence for each type of
ignition source is given in Figure 8 and Figure 9. specimen that continues to flame for more
than 10 min after ignition of the crib;

© BSI 03-2000 15
 BS 5852:1990

f) for flaming ignition sources 6 and 7: any test NOTE 1 The times quoted in items e) and f) are
specimen that continues to flame for more essentially 2 min greater than the upper 95 % probable
extinction times of wood cribs determined by interlaboratory
than 13 min after ignition of the crib; testing.
g) for all sources: any test specimen from which NOTE 2 It is recommended that composites which fail
criterion c), e.g. because the full thickness is penetrated by
debris causes an isolated floor fire not meeting molten material rather than by flames, are tested as a complete
the requirements of items d), e) or f). item of furniture (see Appendix C and section 5).
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Figure 7 — Details of test specimens for fabric covers and interliners

for use with the test rig

16 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

12 Test procedure 12.2.6 If flaming or progressive smouldering is not

observed (see clause 11) repeat the test at a fresh
NOTE For safety, all tests should be carried out in a suitably
constructed enclosure (see 4.1). Attention is drawn to the position as described in 12.2.2. If flaming or
precautions that have to be taken to satisfy the requirements of progressive smouldering is not observed in this
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. retest, record non-ignition for the ignition source
12.1 Preparation used, unless the test specimen fails the final
12.1.1 Ensure that the means of extinguishment are examination specified in 12.4 In this case,
close to hand (see 4.2). extinguish the test specimen and record ignition.
12.1.2 Open out the test rig and thread the covering 12.3 Wood crib tests (ignition sources 4, 5, 6
fabric and, if used, the fabric interliner, behind the and 7)
hinge bar so that the cut outs are aligned with the NOTE A flow diagram for detection of ignition is given in
hinge bar. Figure 9.

12.1.3 Place the filling pieces under the covering 12.3.1 Use a new specimen for each test. After the
assembly of a crib (see 7.3.3) and after conditioning
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

fabric(s) and locate the filling pieces in the frame

recesses. it (see 7.4) add slowly 1.4 ± 0.1 mL of propan-2-ol to
the centre of the lint using the measuring
12.1.4 Lock the frames at right angles by the bolts instrument (see 9.6). Place the crib on the
or pins ensuring that the filling components are not horizontal part in contact with the vertical part of
displaced. Fasten the fabric(s) over the top, bottom the test specimen, centrally between the sides of the
and sides of the frame using clips and ensure that rig. The base sticks of the crib shall be parallel to the
the fabric(s) is secured and under even tension. This vertical surface of the test specimen.
is done by allowing approximately 20 mm of fabric
to wrap around the frame so that the edge of the 12.3.2 Within 2 min of adding the propan-2-ol to the
fabric just contacts the expanded metal. lint, ignite the alcohol from the front and above the
lint, using a match, small gas flame or hot wire
ignition, and simultaneously start the clock.
12.2 Butane flame tests (ignition sources 2 If the crib collapses causing embers to be scattered
and 3) over a distance greater than 100 mm measured
NOTE A flow diagram for detection of ignition is given in from the edge of the crib, repeat the test with a new
Figure 8. crib placed in position on a new test specimen.
12.2.1 Light the butane emerging from the burner 12.3.3 Observe for evidence of ignition
tube, adjust the gas flow to the appropriate rate (see clause 11) in the interior and/or cover.
(see Table 1) and allow the flame to stabilize for at
least 2 min. 12.3.4 If flaming or progressive smouldering of the
upholstery composites is observed (see clause 11),
12.2.2 Position the burner tube axially along the extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for
junction between the vertical and horizontal parts of the ignition source used.
the test specimen so that the flame is not less
than 50 mm from the nearest side, edge, or any 12.3.5 If flaming or progressive smouldering is not
marks left by any previous test, and simultaneously observed (see clause 11), repeat the test. If flaming
start the clock. Use a fresh test specimen if a or progressive smouldering is not observed in this
position meeting these requirements cannot be retest, record non-ignition for the ignition source
found. used, unless the test specimen fails the final
examination specified in 12.4 In this case,
12.2.3 Allow the gas to burn for the appropriate extinguish the test specimen and record ignition.
time (see Table 1) before removing the burner tube
from the test specimen. 12.4 Final examination
12.2.4 Observe for evidence of ignition As cases of progressive smouldering undetected
(see clause 11) in the interior and/or cover. from the outside have been reported, immediately
after completion of the test programme on the test
12.2.5 If flaming or progressive smouldering of the
specimen, dismantle and examine the filling for
upholstery composites is observed (see clause 11),
progressive smouldering. If this is present,
extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for
extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for
the ignition source used.
the relevant ignition source. For safety reasons
ensure that all smouldering has ceased before the
rig is left unattended.

© BSI 03-2000 17
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 03-2000 18

Figure 14 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for source 0 (cigarette)

BS 5852:1990
 BS 5852:1990

13 Test results b) the identification and construction of the test

specimens;
The ignitability performance of a test specimen
NOTE Unless a report contains sufficient information about
shall be designated by the number of the section of the materials and constructions tested to identify them
BS 5852 together with the ignition source to which precisely and any flame-retardant treatment, it may be of
the test specimen was subjected preceded by the only limited value to a third party such as a purchaser, fire
letters “NI” if the specimen did not ignite or by the authority or trading standards officer;
letter “I” if it did ignite. c) the ignition sources applied;
d) for each ignition source applied, the test result,
Examples. A specimen tested over the range of ignition or non-ignition, expressed as an
sources 2 to 7 but failing at source 7 would be ignitability performance in accordance with
designated “section 4 NI/2-6, I/7”. A specimen tested clause 13;
with sources 4 and 5 but failing at source 5 would be e) the section, number and date of this British
designated “section 4 NI/4, I/5”. Standard, i.e. section 4 (upholstery composite)
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

of BS 5852:1990.
14 Test report
14.2 The report shall contain details of any features
14.1 The report shall state: of the tests that may have affected the results. Such
a) “The following test results relate only to the features are:
ignitability of the combination of upholstery a) conditioning of the test sample;
composites (section 4 of BS 5852:1990) under the
b) details of ignition, if recorded;
particular conditions of test stated; they are not
intended as a means of assessing the full c) special features of burning, e.g. melting,
potential fire hazard of the materials or products dripping, charring, development of flames from
in use”; smouldering;
d) times of major events, e.g. ignition of test
specimens, cover splitting, extinction.
NOTE An example of a test report lay-out is shown
in Appendix D.

© BSI 03-2000 19
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 03-2000 20

Figure 8 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for gas flame sources 1, 2 and 3

BS 5852:1990
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
21 © BSI 03-2000

Figure 9 — Flow diagram for detection of ignition for wood crib sources 4, 5, 6 and 7

BS 5852:1990
 BS 5852:1990

Section 5. Methods of test for the ignitability of

complete items of furniture
15 General 18 Apparatus
Tests on upholstery materials in isolation cannot 18.1 Stop clock, accurate to 1 s and capable of
give a true indication of what their ignition measuring at least 1 h.
behaviour will be when tested as a composite 18.2 Ignition sources, as described in sections 2
assembly. Similarly, assemblies can be influenced and 3.
by the introduction of additional materials, by the
18.3 Test enclosure, either a room with a volume
design of the finished product or by the location or
greater than 20 m3 (which contains adequate
zone on the product to which the ignition source is
oxygen for testing), or a smaller enclosure with a
applied.
through flow of air equipped with inlet and
This section provides a means of assessing the extraction systems. Air flow rates shall be
ignitability of a complete item of seating furniture between 0.02 m/s and 0.2 m/s in the locality of the
taking account of all these factors. It is equally test specimen position.
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

applicable whether the furniture is upholstered or NOTE These limits provide adequate oxygen without
not and can be used to test upholstered items with disturbing the burning behaviour.
no structural frame, e.g. bean bags, or small items The atmosphere within the enclosure during the
where insufficient material is available for testing test shall have a temperature of 23 ± 7 °C and a
in accordance with section 4. relative humidity of 45 ± 25 %. A means of
It is desirable that ignition tests in accordance with extracting smoke and toxic gases shall be provided
this section should be conducted on a single test for all such enclosures. It shall be possible to
specimen. It is critical, therefore, that the position the test specimen such that the test zone
programme of proposed ignition tests is planned (see clause 20) is not less than 0.5 m from the
carefully. nearest enclosure wall.
18.4 Propan-2-ol (for ignition sources 4, 5, 6 and 7
16 Principle only).
A complete item of furniture is subjected to ignition 18.5 Graduated glass syringe or other suitable
tests with the ignition source: measuring instrument, capable of
a) within the seating area; measuring 1.4 ± 0.1 mL of propan-2-ol.
b) at floor level outside the seating area adjacent
to a vertical surface or beneath an overhang; 19 Test specimens
c) at floor level underneath the test specimen. The test specimen shall be an item of furniture,
complete with any cushions, loose covers or other
In each of these tests the most vulnerable zones are
intended attachments and finished in its ready for
tested as shown in Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12
use condition or, if different, its ready for sale
and Figure 13.
condition.
The zones are first tested using a smouldering
NOTE For multiple seating items such as two- and three-seater
cigarette and then either flaming ignition sources of settees, bench or banquette seating, an end section comprising
progressive intensity or a single specified flaming one seating unit approximately 0.75 m wide, may be submitted
source. for testing. Sub-assemblies may also be tested where specific
information is required.

17 Health and safety of operators 20 Test zones

In addition to the general advice given in clause 4,
20.1 Selection of test zones
attention is specifically drawn to the rapid fire
development and large fires which might be The number of different styles, designs and
generated by upholstered chairs, sofas, etc. In intended uses for items of furniture makes it
particular, the test enclosure shall be capable of impossible to specify a complete list of test zones for
containing a fully developed fire and the all items. The principle for selecting test zones is to
extinguishing system shall be of sufficient capacity consider the most vulnerable positions where an
to deal with this contingency. If a chair incorporates ignition source might rest and result in ignition, in
a pressurized gas cylinder then special care should each of the following test sectors:
be taken since the gas is likely to be under a very a) within the seating area;
high pressure. If practical, removal of the gas b) at floor level outside the seating area adjacent
cylinder is recommended and if not, suitable to a vertical surface or beneath an overhang;
protective measures should be taken.
c) at floor level underneath the test specimen
(where possible).

22 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

To facilitate this selection, a series of model 20.3.2 Seating with back but without arms
positions for the ignition source are defined and The model position is shown in Figure 11. The
illustrated in Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12 and ignition source is positioned so that it is not less
Figure 13 and the tester is required to select actual than 100 mm from the nearest side, edge, or marks
positions on the test specimen which approach these left by any previous test.
models as nearly as possible.
20.3.3 Seating without back or arms
NOTE A wood crib is shown as the ignition source only as an
example. Figure 10 to Figure 13 are equally valid for all ignition The model position is on the seat so that no part of
sources. the ignition source is less than 100 mm from the
Where doubt exists as to which is the most nearest side, edge, or any marks left by any previous
vulnerable test zone, all such positions shall be test.
tested. Furniture containing loose cushions shall be
20.3.4 Tip-up seating
tested with the loose cushions in the normal use
position. In addition to tests in the seat-lowered
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

All the applicable zones in each category shall be configuration (secured in the seat-lowered position
tested, starting with the smouldering ignition if necessary) carried out in accordance with 20.3.1
source, then progressive or nominated flaming and 20.3.2, the item shall be tested in the seat-up
sources within the seating area and finally tests at configuration, the model position for which is shown
floor level below or against the test specimen. in Figure 12.

20.2 Smouldering ignition in the seating area 20.4 Flaming ignition from floor level

The model position for the ignition source has the 20.4.1 Peripheral ignition
following features in increasing order of importance: The ignition source shall be placed on the floor
a) any surface which can retain the cigarette; directly below the most vulnerable feature of the
side, front or rear of the test specimen. If the
b) a groove, recess or junction which can retain clearances beneath any edge of the test specimen
the cigarette;
will not permit this the ignition source shall be
c) as item b), but long enough to fully support the positioned adjacent to the most vulnerable feature
cigarette; (see Figure 13).
d) as item b) or c), but in the position giving 20.4.2 Ignition from beneath
maximum contact to the peripheral area of the
cigarette and ensuring an adequate supply of air; If the clearances beneath the edge of the specimen
permit, the ignition source shall be positioned on the
e) as item a), b), c) or d), but where the padding is floor directly beneath the most vulnerable feature of
thickest. the underside of the test specimen. The minimum
If loose cushions are present the tests shall be distance of the test specimen above the top of the
repeated with the lighted cigarette placed in the ignition source shall be as given in Table 4.
equivalent position on the platform and the cushion Table 4 — Distance of test specimen
replaced. above top of ignition source
20.3 Flaming ignition in the seating area Ignition source Distance a (see Figure 13)
20.3.1 Seating with back and arms
mm
The model position is shown in Figure 10. The
1 5
ignition source is positioned so that its centreline is
2 10
in the same plane as the back of the chair and with
3 15
the ignition source adjacent to the arms. If this
4 20
model position does not exist, the closest matching
5 30
position shall be used (see Figure 11 and Figure 12).
6 60
Where back pads are adjustable in height, carry out 7 100
the test in the position closest to that illustrated in
Figure 10. A second test shall be carried out with the
back pad in its lowest position where this is different
from the first test.
Where seat angle and back angle are adjustable
they should be adjusted to be closest to the
horizontal and vertical respectively.

© BSI 03-2000 23
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

24
BS 5852:1990

Figure 10 — Specified “ideal” model position for ignition source on seat

© BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Figure 11 — Departures from “ideal” model position for ignition source on

seat because of design variations

Figure 12 — Additional model positions of ignition sources for tip-up seats

© BSI 03-2000 25
 BS 5852:1990
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Key
a = distance in Table 4 (for adjustable furniture only, see 20.4.2)
b = centre of ignition source in line with specimen edge and positioned on floor
Figure 13 — Specified model positions for ignition source on floor
20.5 Deliberate ignition 21.3 Flaming ignition
For some uses an item of furniture may be required For the purposes of this section, all of the following
to be resistant to deliberate ignition by small types of behaviour are considered to be flaming
flaming sources representing hand-held matches or ignition:
cigarette lighters applied to the underneath of a test a) those given in items a), b) and d) to g) of 11.3,
specimen (if possible). In these cases butane flame but including source 1 for new item 11.3 d).
ignition sources 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 may be applied
b) any test specimen on which any flame front
to the most vulnerable zone.
reaches the extremities of the specimen other
than the top of the vertical part of the test
21 Criteria of ignition
specimen, within the duration of the test.
21.1 General c) for source 0 (cigarette): the occurrence of any
Ignition criteria are given for progressive visible flaming within 60 min of placement of the
smouldering and for flaming. These are both critical cigarette.
but are different modes of ignition and should be
assessed separately. 22 Test procedure
NOTE A flow diagram illustrating a systematic method for the NOTE For safety, all tests should be carried out in a suitably
detection of ignition throughout a test sequence for each type of constructed enclosure (see 18.3). In particular, many pieces of
ignition source is given in Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 14. upholstered furniture represent a significantly greater fire load
21.2 Progressive smouldering ignition than the test specimens of section 4 and test enclosures and
safety procedures should take this into account. Attention is
For the purposes of this section, all the following drawn to the precautions that have to be taken to satisfy the
types of behaviour are considered to be progressive requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
smouldering ignition (but see also 22.5): 22.1 Preparation
a) those given in items a), b) and d) and e) of 11.2; Ensure that the means of extinguishment are close
b) for all flaming sources: any test specimen that at hand (se 4.2 and clause 17).
smoulders until it is essentially consumed or that Within 5 min of transferring the test specimen from
smoulders to the extremities of the specimen, the conditioning atmosphere, stand the item on a
that is to either side of the specimen or to the level surface in the test chamber and start the
extremities of the upholstered test zone, within test.The surface used shall represent floor
the duration of the test. level.Position the test specimen so that the test zone
is not less than 0.5 m from the nearest enclosure
wall.

26 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

22.2 Smouldering cigarette test (ignition 22.3.6 If flaming or progressive smouldering is not
source 0) observed (see clause 21) repeat the test at a fresh
NOTE A flow diagram for detection of ignition is given in position as described in 22.3.2 and at least 50 mm
Figure 14. from any previous test damage. If flaming or
22.2.1 Ignite the cigarette (see 6.4) and immediately progressive smouldering is not observed in this
place it in position on a nominated test zone retest, record non-ignition for the ignition source
(see 20.2) and simultaneously start the clock. The used, unless the test specimen fails the final
cigarette shall rest in contact with the test zone and examination specified in 22.5. In this case,
shall not be pressed down. extinguish the test specimen and record ignition.
22.2.2 Observe the progress of combustion, and 22.3.7 Repeat 22.3.1 to 22.3.6 for all other
record any evidence of ignition (see clause 21) in the nominated test zones.
interior and/or cover. NOTE If deliberate hand-held match or cigarette lighter
ignition is being simulated, the ignition source should be
NOTE The detection of smouldering may be difficult and is
positioned as in 22.3.2 so that the top of the flame is in contact
eased by watching for smoke emerging at points at a distance
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

with the surface of the test zone. This can be achieved by means
from the cigarette. Smoke is most easily viewed by looking down
of a non-combustible spacer disc fitted to the burner tube.
a rising column by means of a mirror.
Suitable sizes for such spacers have been found to be 35 mm for
22.2.3 If flaming or progressive smouldering of the ignition source 1, 145 mm for ignition source 2 and 240 mm for
upholstery components is observed (see clause 21) ignition source 3. The position of the spacer disc should not
interfere with the contact between the test flame and the test
extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for zone.
the smouldering cigarette test.
22.4 Wood crib tests (ignition sources 4, 5, 6
22.2.4 If flaming or progressive smouldering is not and 7)
observed (see clause 21) or if the cigarette fails to
NOTE A flow diagram for detection of ignition is given in
smoulder its complete length, repeat the test with a Figure 9.
new cigarette placed in a fresh position not less
22.4.1 Use a new specimen for each test on each
than 50 mm from any previous test damage. If
nominated test zone. After the assembly of a crib
flaming or progressive smouldering is not observed
(see 7.3.3) and after conditioning it (see 7.4) add
in this retest or if the cigarette fails to smoulder its
slowly 1.4 ± 0.1 mL of propan-2-ol to the centre of
complete length, record non-ignition for the
the lint using the measuring instrument (see 18.5).
smouldering cigarette test unless the test specimen
Place the crib at a nominated test zone (see 20.3
fails the final examination specified in 22.5. In this
and 20.4).
case, extinguish the test specimen and record
ignition. 22.4.2 Within 2 min of adding the propan-2-ol to the
lint, ignite the alcohol from the front and above the
22.2.5 Repeat 22.2.1 to 22.2.4 for all other
lint, using a match, small gas flame or hot wire
nominated test zones.
ignition, and simultaneously start the clock.
NOTE Duplicate tests and tests on different zones may be run
concurrently. If the crib collapses causing embers to be scattered
22.3 Butane flame tests (ignition sources 1, 2 over a distance greater than 100 mm measured
and 3) from the edge of the crib, repeat the test with a new
crib placed in position on a new test specimen.
NOTE A flow diagram for detection of ignition is given in
Figure 8. 22.4.3 Observe for flaming or progressive
22.3.1 Light the butane emerging from the burner smouldering of any trimmings or other accessories
tube, adjust the gas flow to the appropriate rate or of the cover, bottoming cloth and/or interior of the
(see Table 1) and allow the flame to stabilize for at specimen. Disregard flames or afterglow that cease
least 2 min. within 10 min of the ignition of cribs 4 and 5, or
within 13 min of the ignition of cribs 6 and 7.
22.3.2 Position the burner tube horizontally at a Observe for a total of up to 60 min from
nominated test zone (see 20.3 and 20.4). commencement to establish the presence of
22.3.3 Allow the gas to burn for the appropriate progressive smouldering.
time (see Table 1) before removing the burner tube
22.4.4 If flaming or progressive smouldering of the
from the test specimen.
specimen is observed (see clause 21) extinguish the
22.3.4 Observe for evidence of ignition test specimen and record ignition for the ignition
(see clause 21) in the interior and/or cover. source used.
22.3.5 If flaming or progressive smouldering of the
upholstery composites is observed (see clause 21),
extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for
the ignition source used.

© BSI 03-2000 27
 BS 5852:1990

22.4.5 If flaming or progressive smouldering is not 24 Test report

observed record non-ignition for the ignition
24.1 The report shall state:
source(s) used, unless the test specimen fails the
final examination specified in 22.5. In this case, a) “The following test results relate only to the
extinguish the test specimen and record ignition. ignitability of the complete item (section 5 of
22.4.6 Repeat 22.4.1 to 22.4.5 for all other BS 5852:1990) under the particular conditions of
nominated test zones. test stated; they are not intended as a means of
assessing the full potential fire hazard of the
22.5 Final examination materials or products in use”;
As cases of progressive smouldering undetected b) the identification and construction of the test
from the outside have been reported, immediately specimens;
after completion of the test programme on the test NOTE Unless a report contains sufficient information about
specimen, dismantle and examine the filling for the materials and constructions tested to identify them
progressive smouldering. If this is present, precisely and any flame-retardant treatment, it may be of
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

only limited value to a third party such as a purchaser, fire

extinguish the test specimen and record ignition for authority or trading standards officer;
the relevant ignition source. For safety reasons
ensure that all smouldering has ceased before the c) the positions tested and ignition sources
rig is left unattended. applied;
d) for each ignition source applied, the test result,
23 Test results ignition or non-ignition, expressed as an
ignitability performance as specified in clause 23;
The ignitability performance of a test specimen
shall be designated by the number of the section of e) the section, number and date of this British
BS 5852:1990 together with the ignition source to Standard, i.e. section 5 (complete item) of
which the test specimen was subjected preceded by BS 5852:1990.
the letters “NI” if the specimen did not ignite or by 24.2 The report shall contain details of any features
the letter “I” if it did ignite. The results with of the tests that may have affected the results. Such
source 0 (NI/0 or I/0) are to be quoted separately features are:
from flaming sources. a) conditioning of the test sample;
Examples. A specimen tested only with sources 0 b) design details of complete items of furniture;
and 3 and passing both would be designated
c) details of ignition if recorded;
“section 4 NI/0, NI/3”. A specimen tested over
the range of sources from 0 to 7, but failing d) special features of burning, e.g. melting,
at sources 0 and 7, would be designated dripping, charting, development of flames from
“section 4, I/0 NI/1-6, I/7”. smouldering;
e) times of major events, e.g. ignition of test
specimens, cover splitting, extinction.
NOTE An example of a test report layout is shown
in Appendix D.

28 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Appendix A Guidance for designers A.2 Specification of ignition performance

and specifiers using section 4
When specifying the minimum ignitability
A.1 Limitation of section 4 ignitability rig tests
requirement for a piece of furniture it should be
In conjunction with BS EN 1021-1:1993 and borne in mind that a typical seating unit may well
BS EN 1021-2:1993. Section 4 of this standard incorporate several different combinations of cover
describes methods for examining the ignitability, in and filling; for example, in the seat, back and arms.
defined circumstances, of an assembly of It is important that each cover/filling combination is
upholstered composites for seating. These materials tested separately and that all meet the requirement.
are combined in a way intended to be generally
NOTE The purchaser, fire authority or law enforcement officer
representative of their end use in upholstered should ensure that this is the case.
seating, and the flaming ignition sources are A.3 Use of modified procedures to test design
selected so that most may be related to sources such features
as burning matches and sheets of burning
This standard describes laboratory tests for an
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

newspaper, while the other sources are of

intensities selected to provide a regularly stepped assembly of materials which will give general
range of source severity. guidance on the ignitability of finished furniture,
but where more specific information is required,
Thus the potential ignitability of using a particular e.g. for tip-up seats or in critical areas of end use,
cover, filling and interliner in combination can be the principles may be applied to complete items or
assessed and this will allow the development of sub-assemblies of furniture or to suitably modified
specifications concerned with the limit of test assemblies, some examples of which are given
ignitability by flaming sources that is considered below. In such cases the sources described in
acceptable for various circumstances of use of the clauses 6 and 7 may be applied at positions which,
furniture. However, there are two important as a general rule, correspond to those where the
limitations. hazard of ignition occurs in use.
a) The tests are concerned only with ignitability, Example 1. If a chair were to have a gap between the
and any controls of fire hazard also have to take seat and back cushions the placement of ignition
into account other aspects of fire performance sources in the angle of the test apparatus would be
such as rate of fire development, heat output, rate inappropriate. Instead, face ignition, where the
and quantity of smoke production and toxic gas sources are placed on the horizontal and vertical
evolution. Ideally, any attempts to reduce surfaces, would be more meaningful.
ignitability ought not to affect adversely these
other properties. Example 2. The use of different materials in a back
and seat of a chair may be reproduced in the test,
b) The tests measure only the ignitability of a two different cover fabrics being joined by sewing or
combination of materials used in upholstered stapling behind the hinge bar.
seating and not of a particular finished item of
furniture incorporating these materials. They Example 3. The test apparatus may be used to
give only an indication of the ignition behaviour model the junction of any vertical and horizontal
of the finished item of furniture. This limitation surfaces so that both arm and back constructions, if
occurs because design features and trimmings of different, may be tested separately in conjunction
the furniture can greatly affect its fire properties; with the seat.
any ignitability tests of a piece of furniture would Example 4. If in the final design a loose cushion is to
therefore need to be carried out on the actual item be placed on an upholstered seat platform,
and not on component materials or mock-ups. For additional traps are produced between the loose
this reason, section 5 describes the ignitability cushion and the surrounding upholstery. This may
testing of complete items of furniture. However, be examined using the rig by constructing a loose
limited information on ignitability more cushion of the appropriate materials
specifically related to an intended design may be measuring 450 ± 5 mm × 225 ± 5 mm × 75 ± 2 mm
obtained as indicated in A.2 and A.3. to be placed on the top of the horizontal surface of
the normally assembled test arrangement. In order
to check the additional traps, smouldering sources
in particular need to be placed beneath the loose
cushion.

© BSI 03-2000 29
 BS 5852:1990

If the behaviour of these special test assemblies is Appendix B Guidance for test
such as to indicate that a failure which has occurred operators
on a rig test cannot occur in practice, the results for
the more realistic test should be given greater B.1 Selection of timber for crib construction
consideration in assessing the performance of an Timber is a natural material and the density of a
actual piece of furniture. given species can vary considerably within a given
A.4 Use of modified test procedures in sample, tree and between different tree growing
comparative testing areas. The dimensions and density of timber also
vary with moisture content.
Another way in which this test principle might be
used is to give information about individual The density of the Pinus silvestris specified for the
materials to be used in a combination. For example, wooden crib is nominally 500 kg/m3 conditioned
the ability of a cover material to provide protection wood [see item a) of 7.3.1].
against ignition can be indicated by testing it in The dimensional tolerances theoretically allow for a
combination with a substrate of known density variation of about ± 13 % for the thicker
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

flammability. timber and ± 30 % for the thinner section timber,

A.5 Reproducibility and repeatability of tests but it is difficult to use all this variation in practice
because the dimensional tolerances given for the
Interlaboratory tests have established that the stick section are not much greater than normal
reproducibility and repeatability of the test methods
cutting tolerances. It is possible to prepare strips of
are good. However, in some circumstances there
wood to the upper tolerance and to adjust the strip
may be inherent variability in the materials used in
thickness according to its density but this requires
a combination which can affect ignitability. This is
the use of a planing machine, accurate wood
particularly important where the ignitability of a working techniques and conditioned wood. Some
combination is borderline between two sources since adjustment is possible because of the greater length
differences in result can then easily occur on
tolerances.
different test occasions.
In practice, the simplest way of obtaining cribs of
This may not be serious when evaluating
the required dimensions and mass is by mixing
ignitability by progressively increasing the size of
sticks of specified dimensions but of different mass.
the ignition source until failure occurs because the Classifying the sticks into three or possibly five
result will always be close to the true value. For categories on a mass basis prior to crib building is
example, if the true ignitability is borderline
recommended.
between sources 4 and 5, the result of any one test
will be either 4 or 5. However, this effect will be Satisfactory results can be obtained by cutting
much more significant when the test is used for strips of wood to the required section and then
specification purposes. From a single test (in grading the long strips on the basis of mass per unit
duplicate as described) of a composite, to determine length (see Table 5). Individual sticks can then be
whether it passed a particular prescribed level, it cut without the need to check each individual stick.
would not be possible to form a conclusion with This requires that conditioned wood is used and that
certainty. For example, if a specification required the strips are cut uniformly to the required section.
resistance to ignition source 5, from a pass result at The presence of knots and resin pockets will
this level it would not be possible to conclude increase the apparent density of the timber and
whether the result was reliable and to be expected needs to be allowed for. However, knots and resin
every time, or whether true ignitability was pockets may affect the burning behaviour of the crib
borderline 4/5 and there would be an even chance of and should therefore be avoided wherever possible.
another test failing. It is thus most important that It is advisable to check a number of individual sticks
specifiers using this method should define the using a go, no-go gauge and by weighing to assess
amount of testing they require to regard the result the uniformity of the timber and of the cutting
as properly representative for their particular operation before cutting large numbers of sticks.
purposes. Some adjustment of stick mass is possible by
altering the stick length (within the specification
limits).
Conditioning can be a lengthy process and it is
advisable to store the timber in a warm, dry place
and to pre-cut the timber into thin planks before
conditioning.

30 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Table 5 — Suggested grading of sticks on mass/unit length basis

Nominal stick size Grade
Square section Length Mass Heavy Medium heavy Medium Medium light Light
mm mm g g/cm g/cm g/cm g/cm g/cm
6.5 40 0.85 > 0.23 0.215 to 0.23 0.2 to 0.215 0.185 to 0.2 < 0.185
6.5 80 1.7 > 0.23 0.215 to 0.23 0.2 to 0.215 0.185 to 0.2 < 0.185
12.5 80 6.3 > 0.88 0.82 to 0.88 0.76 to 0.82 0.70 to 0.76 < 0.70
B.2 Cleaning of rig Appendix C Test hierarchy
It is important that the rig should be kept clean to A flow chart relating the different sections and the
ensure that the test specimens do not become method of test and indicating a logical test sequence
contaminated with the residues left from earlier is given in Figure 15. It may also be necessary to test
tests. It is particularly important that the hinged in accordance with BS EN 1021-1:1993 and
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

bar should be kept clean. This may be facilitated by BS EN 1021-2:1993.

using a hinge bar that can be removed to minimize
contamination as well as to aid cleaning. A hinge
bar that is held in place by split pins has been found
to be acceptable.
Cleaning the test rig can be done with solvents or by
burning the residues off the rig. Care needs to be
taken to ensure that the rig does not become
distorted when removing residues by burning.
When solvents are used care should be taken to
prevent test specimens becoming contaminated
with the solvents. Normal safety procedures should
be followed particularly when flammable and/or
toxic solvents are being used.
NOTE Attention is drawn to HSE regulations on the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health.

© BSI 03-2000 31
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

32
BS 5852:1990

Figure 15 — Flow chart of test hierarchy

© BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

Appendix D Preferred test report

layout
The following layout is recommended for test
reports.
Testing authority
Test number
Sample reference
Company/customer
Date
British Standard BS 5852:1990
Section
Ignition sources used
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Test conditions Period Temperature Relative humidity Volume

Conditioning of test specimen and h °C % m 3
ignition source(s)
Testing temperature and r.h.
Testing enclosure
(fume cupboard/room)
Identification and construction of test specimens and any pre-treatment details
Report
The following test results relate only to the ignitability of the combination of upholstery composites
(section 4)a or complete item (section 5)a under the particular conditions of test. They are not intended as
a means of assessing the full potential fire hazard of the materials or products in use.
Ignition source Ignition/no Duration of Extent of damage of Extent of damage Reason Comments
n-ignition horizontal component of vertical for and
component failure observations
Ignition
Number Position Flames Smoke Width Length Depth Width Depth
source
min min min mm mm mm mm mm

a
Delete as applicable.

© BSI 03-2000 33
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

34
blank
 BS 5852:1990

Publication(s) referred to

BS 3016, Specification for pressure regulators and automatic changeover devices for liquefied petroleum
gases.
BS 4250, Liquefied petroleum gas.
BS 4250-1, Specification for commercial butane and propane.
BS 6807, Methods of test for assessment of the ignitability of mattresses, divans and bed bases with primary
and secondary sources of ignition3).
BS 7176, Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture3).
FTS6, The Crown Suppliers Fire Test specification No. 6 Ignition standard for seating3).
BS EN 1021-1, Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 1: Ignition
source: smouldering cigarette.
BS EN 1021-2, Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 2: Ignition
source: match flame equivalent.
Licensed Copy: Wong Wing Kit, Intertek Testing - Leicester, 18 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

3) Referred to in the foreword only.

© BSI 03-2000
 BS 5852:1990

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