Is it illegal to sell a sofa without a fire label?
Any items not bearing this labelling may not comply and you are advised not to sell them until you have obtained expert advice – from the original manufacturer, for example. Any furniture that cannot be verified as ‘safe’ via the details on the permanent label need to be disposed of at a waste recycling centre.
When did fire retardant furniture became law UK?
1988
Ever since 1988, and the introduction of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, all sofas sold in the UK must be treated with fire-retardant chemicals and display a label to prove it. No label means no good.
Do sofas need to have fire labels?
Each fire label must be permanent and must be fitted to every new piece of furniture sold. Items such as mattresses, bed bases and divans require a fire safety label. This label is different from the one which you would find on a sofa.
How do I know if my couch is fire resistant?
If your sofa is fire-resistant, it should have a fire label that indicates it meets fire safety standards. As a minimum, the label should display the caution, batch number/identification number, if the item includes a fire-resistant interliner and finally a summary of the measures which were taken to ensure compliance.
How can you tell if fabric is fire retardant?
They are chemically treated to slow down the burning process or to never burn at all. A fabric is considered flame-retardant if it takes a long time before it burns compared to other types of similar materials.
What can you do with a couch without fire label?
If your sofa does not have the fire safety label attached, contact the charity beforehand to ensure they can accept it. The permanent fire safety label is usually sewn or stapled to the sofa, beneath the cushions.
Can I give away an old sofa without a fire label?
It’s worth noting that charities selling sofas to the general public for fundraising can’t accept sofas that do not have their fire label attached. Providing your sofa is in a good enough condition to sell on and upholstered items have an intact fire label, you can successfully donate your sofa to this worthy cause.
Are there any special requirements relating to fire safety for furniture?
Regulations cover the flammability of upholstered furniture (including beds, sofa beds, cots, cushions and mattresses). In general, the safety provisions require that upholstery must pass the cigarette test, fillings must be fire retardant and the covers must pass the match test.
Where would the fire safety label be on a sofa?
Most typically, you will find a fire label on any external surface of the sofa, including underneath any removable seating and within cushion covers. Wherever they are, they should be securely attached, and there should be one attached to each component of a set to ensure the right standards are met.
What are the fire safety regulations for furniture?
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 and 2010) set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, soft furnishings and other products containing upholstery.
What are the regulations for furniture in the UK?
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) are UK law and are designed to ensure that upholstery components and composites used for furniture supplied in the UK meet specified ignition resistance levels. There are six main elements contained within the Regulations:
What are the fire safety regulations in the UK?
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) are UK law and are designed to ensure that upholstery components and composites used for furniture supplied in the UK meet specified ignition resistance levels and are suitable labelled.
What kind of fire test do you need for upholstery?
The fabric can withstand a ‘naked flame’ test. ‘Match Tested’ fabrics meet the regulations for domestic upholstery use. In all cases, irrespective of whether a match-resistant cover or an interliner is used, the foam or other filling must pass the relevant ignitability test. There are no exceptions to this.