Fabric Flame Retardant Standards: CAL TB 117, EN 1021 & BS 5852 Explained
CAL TB 117-2013 is the US smouldering-ignition standard for upholstered furniture; EN 1021 is the European test method for cigarette and match-flame ignition; BS 5852 is the UK test method used with BS 7177 for hazard classification. This guide explains which standard applies to your market and how to verify a supplier's compliance with third-party test reports.
1. Why flame retardancy matters for fabric buyers
Upholstery fabric is the first component a flame touches, which is why the US, the UK and other European countries regulate the flammability of furniture and its cover fabrics. For a B2B buyer, the standard is not a formality: retail chains and contract projects (hotels, hospitality, public buildings) refuse suppliers who cannot produce the test report for the required standard. Getting this right before you order is far cheaper than a rejected container at your destination port.
2. CAL TB 117 — the US smouldering standard
California Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117-2013) sets the smouldering-ignition performance of upholstered furniture sold in California and widely referenced across the US. It tests the finished furniture composite — cover fabric, barrier and filling — with a smouldering cigarette. TB 117-2013 replaced the older TB 117-2000 open-flame regime; the federal 16 CFR 1634 rule, which would apply a similar test nationwide, is under development.
- Key point for buyers: ask for the TB 117-2013 composite test data, not the pre-2013 open-flame certificate
- Fabric alone does not pass TB 117 — the composite (fabric + barrier + filling) is tested together
3. EN 1021 — the European test method
EN 1021 is the European method of test for the ignitability of upholstered furniture:
| Standard | Ignition source | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1021-1 | Smouldering cigarette | Residential and contract seating — baseline requirement in most EU markets |
| EN 1021-2 | Match-flame equivalent | Where the end-use requires flaming ignition resistance (contract, hospitality) |
For EU retail and contract seating, EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2 are the common references. Confirm which parts your target country and channel require.
4. BS 5852 & BS 7177 — the UK framework
BS 5852 ("Methods of test for assessment of the ignitability of upholstered seating") is the UK test method, with ignition sources graded 0–7:
- Sources 0–1 (smouldering): a lit cigarette on the seating area — baseline for residential furniture
- Sources 2–5 (flaming): butane match-equivalent flame applied to the fabric, filling or interliner
- Sources 6–7 (flaming): wood-crib flames for higher-hazard contract environments
BS 7177 turns the test result into a classification for real-world use — low, medium or high hazard — under the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. When a supplier says "meets BS 5852", ask which ignition source level and for which components.
5. Which standard does your market require?
- US: California TB 117-2013 for upholstered furniture (16 CFR 1634 pending)
- EU: EN 1021-1 / EN 1021-2 within national furniture flammability rules (e.g. France, Germany, Netherlands)
- UK: Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations — BS 5852 test, BS 7177 classification
- Chemicals: EU buyers should also confirm REACH compliance of fabrics and treatments, independent of fire resistance
A supplier's test reports should name the specific standard, the fabric construction tested, the ignition-source result, and the laboratory that performed the test.
6. How KCK.Fabric documents flame retardancy
KCK.Fabric confirms its flame-retardant upholstery and outdoor fabrics against the CAL TB 117, EN 1021 and BS 5852 standards relevant to each market. Third-party testing and inspection are performed with SGS and TÜV. Certificate copies and test reports are available on request for project tenders — see the Certifications page for the verified list.
Frequently asked questions
What is CAL TB 117?
California Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117-2013) is the US state standard for the flammability of upholstered furniture. It uses a smouldering cigarette test on the finished furniture composite (cover fabric, barrier and filling). TB 117-2013 replaced the older TB 117-2000 open-flame regime and is widely referenced by US furniture manufacturers and importers.
What is EN 1021?
EN 1021 is the European test method for the ignitability of upholstered furniture: EN 1021-1 uses a smouldering cigarette and EN 1021-2 a match-flame equivalent applied to the furniture composite. It is the common flame-retardant reference for upholstery fabric and seating sold in the EU.
What is the difference between BS 5852 and EN 1021?
EN 1021 is the European test method using cigarette (Part 1) and match-flame (Part 2) ignition sources. BS 5852 is the UK test method with a broader range of ignition sources (0–7) and is used with BS 7177 to classify furniture by hazard level for the UK market. A fabric that passes EN 1021-2 is generally aligned with BS 5852 ignition source 1–2 levels, but the standards specify different test rigs — confirm the exact standard your market requires.
Do outdoor fabrics need to be flame retardant?
For contract and public projects (hotels, restaurants, marine), flame-retardant or flame-resistant outdoor fabrics are commonly required. For residential outdoor furniture, requirements vary by country and project specification. Always confirm the standard for your end market — never assume a fabric is FR without a test report.
Which countries require fabric fire-safety standards?
The UK requires upholstered furniture to meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, tested to BS 5852 and classified to BS 7177. Other EU countries reference EN 1021 within national furniture flammability rules, and the US uses California TB 117-2013 (with the federal 16 CFR 1634 rule under development). Always confirm the standard for your target market with the mill.
How can a buyer verify a supplier's fire-safety compliance?
Ask for third-party test reports from an accredited laboratory (e.g. SGS or TÜV) naming the specific standard, the fabric construction tested, and the ignition-source result. A supplier that cannot produce a report for the exact standard you need should not be trusted on this claim.
Need the flame-retardant test report for your tender?
Request the CAL TB 117 / EN 1021 / BS 5852 documentation and the SGS or TÜV test reports with your project specification.
Request Test Documentation