01

UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE FIRE SAFETY

EFA IMPACT

Presentation by Bob Graham

EFA Roundtable - Paris, 31.01-01.02.2008

02

ACFSE POSITION PAPER

• Cigarette and match resistance standards. EN1021 parts 1 &2.

• Completion of development of standard for larger ignition source (20gms newspaper).

• Implementation of post ignition fire behaviour standard.

03

ACFSE POSITION PAPER

Supporting evidence:

• International fire statistics and the potential benefits of fire counter measures. University of Surrey 2005.

• Modelling fire scenarios in Residential buildings with respect to the benefit of smoke detectors and flame retardants. BAM Berlin.2006

• Assessment of fire safety requirement to upholstered furniture and mattresses. Norwegian University of Science and Technology.2007

04

JOINT LETTER – 26 July 2007

Joint statement on the fire safety of upholstered furniture

05

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ACTIONS

Member States authorities and Member States consumer safety organisations received:

• ACFSE position paper

• Supporting evidence

• EFA joint letter

06

Fire issues on the agenda of General Product Safety Committee 16 th November:

• Rip Cigarettes

• Nightwear fire safety

• Upholstered furniture fire safety

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ACTIONS

07

• RIP cigarette standard to be developed

• Nightwear standard to be reviewed

• Member States views on Upholstered Furniture standards received

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ACTIONS

08

EU FURNITURE STANDARDS

Norway

Finland

France

Austria

Germany

Czech Republic

Member States positions:

09

QUESTIONS?

• Why are there different opinions from Member States?

• Are fire service involved in forming the opinion?

• Is there an agency with more knowledge than the fire service?

10

FURNITURE STANDARDS

European Commission-DG SANCO

• Broad consensus to carry forward work on cigarette and match resistance

• Look at large ignition source

• Collate data on flame retardants