UKAS Accreditation to the American flammability standard, TB 117-2013

We're pleased to announce our latest UKAS Accreditation, this time to ‘California TB 117-2013 Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Smolder Resistance of Materials Used in Upholstered Furniture’. This is the main flammability regulation for the American market.

The cigarette test to TB 117-2013 is vastly different to the UK’s Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (FFFSR), and is traditionally considered harder to pass than the UK counterpart.

A wooden rig is used for the test, and the cigarette is placed between the crevice in the seat and the back support, it is then covered with a flame retardant laundered material, all of which when combined together increases the heat of the cigarette and subsequently the chance of escalating smouldering, and / or ignition. The test can last up to 45 minutes – but would be ended earlier on safety grounds in the event of a fail.

UKAS accrediting testing to TB 117-2013 could help the UK close the trade gap which currently exists for the American market. In 2020 exports were worth £264.68 million, with imports valued at £273.11 million – representing a trade gap of £8.43 million.

Further details on testing to TB 117-2013 contact our experts now.