Although the rules on escape and rescue routes are precise and clear for each type of building and its purpose, it is not always easy to say what the appropriate furniture is. It is true that fire safety regulations are getting stricter, but furniture regulations are not usually the standard requirements made by public tenders or privately financed construction projects. In these cases, only the classification of construction materials is cited, which, for example, must be fireproof. However, furniture is not building material. If a fire breaks out, they behave differently than materials that are not part of a composite. This is the case in particular when upholstered furniture is made of various materials. Even if each of the materials used, such as fabrics, frames or upholstery foam, are classified as flame retardant, the fire behavior and smoke development of the materials can influence each other.

"The “paper cushion test” is one of the most rigorous test procedures for checking the fire behavior of upholstered furniture. Thanks to a special upholstery, a fire in the AT office swivel chair is extinguished in the presented test here. Result: validated." Photos: Wilkhahn

We offer some guidance in our “fire safety” catalogue, which contains everything you need to know about the standards that apply to upholstered furniture, the international variations that exist and how we can help improve fire safety.

Click here to download the Wilkhahn fire safety catalog (English version).