Fire retardant methods and compliance in mattresses

Updated 2020: This is to comply with British regulations (BS 5852: 1982 Part II & BS 7177).  Mattresses from other countries may have different compliance levels or in some cases no compliance.  It is important when you purchase a mattress you are aware of this.

In the case of mattress covers, they must be compliant with BS 7177 low hazard for domestic use. This is to ensure that the covers of the mattresses are fire resistant to a cigarette or smoulder test.

Chemical Free Mattress Covers for Fire Retardancy

We are delighted to be one of the only mattress retailers that offer a completely Synthetic Chemical-Free cover in all of our Artisan Mattress, Latex  & Legacy Bed ranges. Our custom Damask fabric is finished with a plant-based fire retardancy method that doesn’t involve synthetic chemical sprays or treatments that are often used.

With the launch of M-Pure, Maes Dyeing and Finishing has successfully created a non-chemical FR treatment by using Biobased ingredients for the compound.

Instead of using the traditional chemical-based compounds which are bought from third parties, our Fabric weaver Maes have developed their own and exclusive product for a fully natural finishing application. This enables us to offer its customers a chemical-free mattress ticking/damask that meets the BS 7177 – EN 597/1 – 2 standard.

Benefits of Plant-Based Fire Retardancy

• The compound made in house by Maes
• Natural bio-based raw materials
• Biodegradable
• Environmentally friendly
• 100% sustainable
• Meets EN 597/1 and 2
• Exclusive to John Ryan By Design

Source 0: Smouldering cigarette

A cigarette is put along the crevice of a test rig and allowed to burn for its entire length. If no flaming or progressive smouldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as ‘no ignition’ and the material passes the test successfully.

Source 1: Simulated match

A burner is lit, held along the crevice of a test rig for 20 seconds and then removed. If no flaming or progressive smouldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as ‘no ignition’ and the material passes the test successfully.

A more intensive test is used on the fillings and components of mattresses, usually known as the crib test. Our foams and fillings used have been tested to a medium hazard under this test.

Source 5:  The crib test 5

A crib is composed of small wooden planks, about 5″ in diameter, which are then glued together. Lint is attached to the bottom of the crib. After adding propane-diol, the crib is placed on the test rig and ignited with a lit match. If no flaming or progressive smouldering is observed on both cover and interior material, the test is recorded as no ignition and the material passes the test successfully.

An example of a legitimate FR compliance label is shown below for Source 1 and 2. Please be aware of foreign counterfeit labels which don’t follow this format.

All our mattresses have been tested and approved as compliant under BS 5852: 1982 Part II and BS7177. Our beds have the following FR applications:

Memory foam

All our Memory foam materials are manufactured with a fire retardant compound included in the foam composition. These have been certified as FR compliant, tested and approved to the crib test. The mattress covers have passed the BS 7177 source 0 and 1 standards.

Hybrid foam

All our hybrid foams are manufactured also with a fire retardant compound within the foams composition. These have been tested and passed as FR compliant, tested and approved to the crib test. The mattress covers have passed the BS 7177 source 0 and 1 standards.

Latex foam

We use a thin slice, 1cm each side, of graphite FR Latex to ensure the mattress complies with regulations under BS 5852 to the crib test carried out by FIRA. This will only have a very negligible feel to the texture of the raw uncovered mattress, this shouldn’t effect the superior quality of the latex mattress but, as always, we are fully transparent. The mattress covers have passed the BS 7177 source 0 and 1 standards.

Update 2014: There have been a number of recent press articles and documentaries on the Fire retardant compliance of mattresses and sofas in the UK.  Most notable the recent BBC ‘Fake Britain’ documentary ‘Furniture inferno’ demonstrated some startling results.  Major sofa and bed retailers such as SCS, Tesco, Argos and Amazon sold mattresses to the public which were tested under the above compliance, along with source 5 the burning crib test.

They all failed the tests and were deemed non-FR compliant to be sold in the UK.

Fake compliance labels have also been investigated as a number of retailers and suppliers are proving non-compliant furniture with counterfeit FR labels.  

When in doubt FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) have plenty of guidelines if you are uncertain.