What fire standard applies to hotel upholstery in the UAE?
The two routes, in plain words
EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2
A European test for upholstered seating. Part 1 tests the fabric and filling against a smouldering cigarette. Part 2 tests it against a small flame, equal to a match. Many contract fabrics carry this certificate as standard.
BS 5852
A British test that uses ignition sources of rising severity. Source 0 is a cigarette, source 1 is a match-sized flame, and the higher "crib" sources are small burning wooden cribs. Crib 5 is the level most often written into contract and hospitality specifications.
Which one should a hotel ask for?
The one the specification names. If the specification allows either route, both are compliant. If it names Crib 5 only, that is the test the upholstery must pass.
Two points worth knowing before you order:
- Outdoor fabrics. Reaching Crib 5 usually needs a flame retardant back coating. On an outdoor fabric that coating can reduce weathering performance, so for outdoor seating many specifications accept EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2. Agree this with your consultant before production.
- The whole seat, not only the fabric. The fabric, the foam and the interliner are tested together. A certificate for the fabric alone does not prove the finished seat.
What to ask your furniture manufacturer for
- The test standard and level, stated against every upholstered item.
- A laboratory certificate for the approved fabric batch, issued with the material submittal.
- Foam type and density in writing.
- Confirmation that the certificate covers the combination used in the finished piece.
How Nature & Beyond handles it
Our contract upholstery fire performance is to BS 5852, with the test report available on request. EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2, the equivalent European tests, are offered on request per project. The test report is issued with the material submittal, and the fabric swatch is approved in writing before cutting starts.
Based on current industry norms. The fire strategy and the specification for your project govern; confirm the required test with your fire consultant. Subject to final technical review and as per specifications provided.
Nature & Beyond Custom Produced, finished in any premium material to suit your brand image, in the colours of your choice, and made to your custom sizes.