ISO 8191-1-1987 PDF

Full title and description

Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 1: Ignition source: smouldering cigarette. This international standard specifies a laboratory test method to evaluate the ignitability of combinations of upholstery materials (covering and filling) used in upholstered seating when exposed to a smouldering cigarette as the ignition source.

Abstract

ISO 8191-1:1987 is the first part of the ISO 8191 series and provides a bench-scale method to assess whether a combination of upholstery materials is likely to ignite or support smouldering when contacted by a lit cigarette. The test gives an indication of ignitability for material combinations but does not guarantee the behaviour of a finished furniture item under full-scale fire conditions.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed following systematic review; ISO lifecycle entry shows confirmation in 2023).
• Publication date: February 1987 (Edition 1, 1987).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 97.140 (Furniture) / 13.220.40 (Flammability of materials and products).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1987).
• Number of pages: 9.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details above are taken from the ISO record for ISO 8191-1:1987.

Scope

Specifies a method to assess the ignitability of combinations of upholstery materials (covering and filling) used in upholstered seating when exposed to a smouldering cigarette applied at the seat/back junction. The standard defines specimen preparation, conditioning, test rig, application of the smouldering cigarette, observation criteria (ignition, smouldering, flaming, char length), and reporting. It is intended for material-combination evaluation and not as a full-scale assessment of completed furniture items.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the ignition source: standard smouldering cigarette specimen and placement.
• Test rig geometry and specimen mounting (seat and back forming a 90° angle).
• Specimen conditioning (temperature and humidity) and pre-test preparation.
• Observation and acceptance/rejection criteria: occurrence of ignition, smouldering propagation, flaming, and char measurement.
• Limitation statements: method assesses material combinations only; results are indicative, not definitive for full-furniture fire performance.
• Test reporting requirements: materials, dimensions, conditioning, results and interpretation.

These topics summarise the procedural and reporting elements required by the standard.

Typical use and users

Used by upholstered furniture manufacturers, textile and foam suppliers, independent test laboratories, product safety engineers, certification bodies and regulators to screen material combinations for cigarette-induced ignitability. It is also used as a basis for national or regional test methods and for pre-compliance checks during product development.

Related standards

ISO 8191-1:1987 is part of the ISO 8191 series (see also ISO 8191-2:1988 for a small-flame ignition source). National and regional standards have incorporated or modified ISO 8191-1 (for example, related European standards such as EN 1021‑1 and later editions, and various national adoptions that reference or replace ISO procedures). Consult applicable national/regional regulations and the ISO catalogue for cross-references.

Keywords

upholstered furniture; ignitability; smouldering cigarette; upholstery materials; flammability testing; ISO 8191; material screening; furniture safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8191-1:1987 specifies a laboratory test method to assess the ignitability of combinations of upholstery materials used in upholstered seating when exposed to a smouldering cigarette.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, test rig setup, the defined smouldering cigarette ignition source, observation criteria (smouldering, ignition, flaming, char) and reporting. It evaluates material-combination behaviour under the specified small ignition source.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of upholstered furniture and materials, independent testing laboratories, product safety engineers, certification bodies and regulators use it for material screening and compliance checks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: According to the ISO catalogue, ISO 8191-1:1987 remains a published international standard and was confirmed during ISO's review process (confirmation recorded in 2023). However, in some regions or national implementations it has been superseded or modified by regional standards (for example, EN 1021‑1 developments and later national adoptions). Always check the applicable national/regional requirements and the ISO catalogue for the most recent status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 8191 is a multi‑part series dealing with the assessment of ignitability of upholstered furniture; Part 1 addresses the smouldering cigarette, and Part 2 addresses a small open flame equivalent to a burning match or small gas flame.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Upholstered furniture, ignitability, smouldering cigarette, upholstery materials, flammability testing, material screening, ISO 8191.