ISO 8191-2-1988 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 8191-2:1988 — Furniture — Assessment of ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 2: Ignition source: match‑flame equivalent. This international standard specifies a laboratory test method using a calibrated small flame (match‑flame equivalent) to assess the tendency of combinations of upholstery cover and filling materials to ignite when exposed to a small open flame at the seat/back junction of upholstered seating.

Abstract

Part 2 of ISO 8191 is one of a set of test methods intended to evaluate ignitability of material combinations used in upholstered furniture. The method produces an indication of ignition behaviour of cover/filling combinations when exposed to a match‑flame equivalent; it is not a full‑scale test of a finished piece of furniture and therefore cannot guarantee complete behaviour of a finished item. The edition (first) was published in October 1988 and was most recently reviewed and confirmed as current in 2023.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard — confirmed).
• Publication date: 27 October 1988 (Edition 1, 1988‑10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 97.140 (Furniture); 13.220.40 (Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1988).
• Number of pages: 9 pages.

(General information items above are taken from the ISO bibliographic record and confirmation history.)

Scope

ISO 8191‑2:1988 defines a laboratory procedure to assess ignitability of combinations of upholstery covers and fillings when exposed to a small open flame representative of a burning match (match‑flame equivalent). The standard applies to material combinations (cover + filling) typically used in upholstered seating; it does not claim to predict the exact ignition behaviour of a finished furniture item in service. The tests are performed in a controlled enclosure with specified specimen mounting to reproduce the seat/back junction and with defined conditioning and observation periods.

Key topics and requirements

• Ignition source: calibrated small gas flame (match‑flame equivalent) — burner tube geometry and calibrated gas flow (nominally about 45 ± 2 ml/min) to reproduce a match‑like flame.
• Test rig and specimen geometry: mounting that simulates the seat/back junction (specified frame dimensions and specimen sizes for cover and filling assemblies).
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: defined specimen dimensions, preconditioning in controlled temperature/humidity (typical options given), and orientation in the rig.
• Test procedure and timing: application of the match‑flame equivalent at the junction, observation for flaming and progressive smouldering for a defined period (observations typically recorded up to 1 hour); specific rules for ignoring transient smouldering or flaming that ceases shortly after removal of the source (e.g., the 120 s rule for persistence).
• Definitions and criteria: clear distinction between flaming ignition and progressive smouldering, reporting requirements (ignition occurrence, extent of damage, times to ignition/extinguishment, conditioning details).
• Apparatus and safety: enclosure/ventilation requirements, timing accuracy, and safe arrangements for handling smouldering specimens and fumes.

Technical details and typical parameter values (burner tube dimensions, flow, specimen sizes and conditioning) are specified in the standard and summarized in technical equipment and standards guides.

Typical use and users

Used by test laboratories, furniture and upholstery manufacturers, material suppliers, product safety engineers and certification bodies to evaluate and compare the ignitability of upholstery cover/filling combinations during product development, quality control and safety assessment. Results support design decisions (material selection, barrier layers) and regulatory or voluntary conformity activities, but for full‑scale burning behaviour of finished furniture larger‑scale tests or additional standards may be required.

Related standards

ISO 8191 is a multi‑part series: ISO 8191‑1:1987 covers ignition from a smouldering cigarette (smouldering source) and ISO 8191‑2:1988 covers the match‑flame equivalent. National and regional equivalents exist (for example, EN/SS‑EN series such as EN 1021‑1 / EN 1021‑2 are closely related/adopted in some markets). Other product‑specific match‑flame tests (e.g., bedding standards) use similar small‑flame principles.

Keywords

ignitability, upholstered furniture, match‑flame equivalent, ignition source, upholstery, cover, filling, ISO 8191‑2, ignition test, smouldering, small flame.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8191‑2:1988 is an international laboratory test method that assesses the ignitability of combinations of upholstery covers and fillings when exposed to a match‑flame equivalent (a small calibrated open flame).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, test rig mounting that simulates the seat/back junction, the match‑flame equivalent ignition source (with specified burner and flow), conditioning and observation procedures, definitions of ignition (flaming and progressive smouldering), and reporting of results. The method addresses material combinations, not full finished furniture behaviour.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited test laboratories, furniture manufacturers, upholstery material suppliers, fire safety engineers and conformity assessment bodies use this standard for product development, quality control and safety assessment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1988 edition (ISO 8191‑2:1988) remains the published edition and, according to the ISO bibliographic record, it was reviewed and confirmed as current in 2023. Users should check national/regional adoptions or superseding regulations for market‑specific requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 8191 is a multi‑part set of standards for ignitability of upholstered furniture; Part 1 addresses smouldering cigarette ignition and Part 2 addresses match‑flame equivalent ignition. Other related standards and regional equivalents (for example EN/SS‑EN variants) exist for similar test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: ignitability, upholstered furniture, match‑flame equivalent, ignition source, cover, filling, small flame test, ISO 8191‑2.