Certification and Registration
TB117-2013: Flammability Test Requirements, Methods, and Instruments for Upholstered Furniture Materials
Category:
American
Test Background:
On December 27, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 133, which requires California’s upholstered furniture flammability standard, California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 (TB 117-2013), to be adopted as a nationwide mandatory requirement and fully implemented on June 25, 2021.After this requirement took effect, all upholstered furniture imported into or sold in the United States (excluding mattresses and bed frames) must comply with the flammability testing requirements of TB 117-2013.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires upholstered furniture products that comply with TB 117-2013 to bear a permanent label stating:“Complies with U.S. CPSC requirements for upholstered furniture flammability.”
Test scope:
TB 117-2013, which officially took effect on January 1, 2014, was issued by the California government’s Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEARHFTI).
The mandatory cigarette ignition resistance test for upholstered furniture materials covers the following four components:
a. Outer cover fabrics
b. Intermediate barrier layer (barrier/interliner): Located between the filling material and the outer fabric.
c. Filling materials: Mainly including foam, fiber batting, polystyrene beads, feathers, and other filling materials.
d. Decking materials
Compared with the 2000 version, the revised TB 117-2013 focuses only on cigarette ignition resistance requirements and does not include open-flame ignition resistance requirements.
Applicable Products:
Soft-filled products intended for indoor use, excluding the following products:
(a) Products intended solely for outdoor use.
(b) Products with filling materials less than 1/2 inch thick and without horizontal or vertical interfaces.
(c) Infant and toddler products, including cradles, booster seats, car seats, changing pads, play mats, high chairs, high chair cushions, baby rockers, baby carriers, infant seats, swing chairs, walkers, nursing pads, nursing pillows, crib bumpers, play yards, portable hanging chairs, and strollers.
Test Summary:
Assemble the test specimen and laboratory-provided reference materials into the furniture model shown in the figure. Place a lit cigarette at the intersection of the seams and evaluate the cigarette ignition resistance performance of the specimen based on the observed test results.
Test requirements:
a. Outer Cover Fabric (Outer Cover Fabrics)
After assembling the fabric under test with the non-flame-resistant foam specified by the standard (provided by the laboratory) into a test specimen, conduct the test.
Basis for Determination:
1.The specimen shall not exhibit smouldering or afterglow combustion 45 minutes after the start of the test.
2.After testing, the char length of the specimen shall not exceed 45 mm, measured from the point where the cigarette was placed.
3.Flaming combustion shall not occur during the test.
b. Intermediate Barrier Layer (Barrier)
If the outer fabric fails the test but the specimen includes an intermediate barrier layer that passes the test, the finished furniture may still use the outer fabric, provided that the barrier layer is applied to all edges and the top surface of the finished product.
Barrier Layer Test Requirements:
After assembling the test specimen using the non-flame-resistant foam specified in the standard (provided by the laboratory), the submitted barrier layer, and the laboratory-provided non-flame-resistant plain cotton fabric, conduct the test.
Requirements:
1.The specimen shall not exhibit smouldering or afterglow combustion 45 minutes after the start of the test.
2.After testing, the char length of the specimen shall not exceed 51 mm, measured from the point where the cigarette was placed.
3.Flaming combustion shall not occur during the test.
c. Filling Material
(Mainly including foam, non-foam materials, polystyrene beads, feathers, and similar materials.)
After assembling the submitted filling material with the non-flame-resistant standard fabric specified by the standard (provided by the laboratory) into a test specimen, conduct the test.
Test Requirements:
1.The specimen shall not exhibit smouldering or afterglow combustion 45 minutes after the start of the test.
2.After testing, the char length of the specimen shall not exceed 38 mm, measured from the point where the cigarette was placed.
3.Flaming combustion shall not occur during the test.
d. Decking Material
Place the specimen as follows: position the lit cigarette directly on the specimen and cover it with the non-flame-resistant standard fabric.
Test Requirements:
1.The specimen shall not exhibit smouldering or afterglow combustion 45 minutes after the start of the test.
2.After testing, the char length of the specimen shall not exceed 38 mm, measured from the point where the cigarette was placed.
3.Flaming combustion shall not occur during the test.
SATISFY provides CA TB 117-2013 upholstered furniture flammability testing services, including pre-test sample preparation guidance and post-test technical support, such as report interpretation and recommendations for product improvement.
In addition to TB 117-2013, which is a mandatory requirement for upholstered furniture products under California regulations, SATISFY provides a one-stop service for upholstered furniture testing and registration, including law label registration, label design, and label verification, helping products meet local regulatory requirements for export markets.
Related Information
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
Contact Us
Address: Room 7D, Building A, Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center, No. 88 Haide 1st Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Phone: 0755-8273-9683
Mobile: 189-2676-2893
Email: info@sdswcn.com
Sales Window
WeChat Applet