CAL TB 117-2013: Upholstery Fire Safety Standard

Featured snippet: CAL TB 117-2013 is California’s mandatory technical standard for the smolder resistance of upholstered furniture, tested with a smoldering cigarette rather than an open flame. Although it is a California regulation, it has become the de facto US furniture fire safety standard. It does not require added flame retardants — physical barrier fabrics and inherently flame-retardant (IFR) fibers are the accepted compliance paths.

If you plan to sell upholstered furniture in the US market, understanding and complying with fire safety regulations is the first barrier to entry. This guide breaks down CAL TB 117-2013, the current reference standard for furniture fire safety in the United States, so you can avoid compliance risk and choose the right materials.

What Is CAL TB 117-2013?

CAL TB 117-2013 (California Technical Bulletin 117-2013) is a mandatory technical standard established by the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). Its core purpose is to evaluate the smolder resistance of upholstered furniture when exposed to a smoldering heat source — a lit cigarette.

Although it is technically a California regulation, the size of the state’s economy and the unified nature of global supply chains have made it the de facto national standard for the entire US furniture industry.

Key facts:

• Regulatory body: California BHGS (Bureau of Household Goods and Services)
• Core test: cigarette smoldering test
• Chemical requirement: does not mandate flame retardants; encourages physical barriers (chemical-free)
• Market status: the “passport” for entry into the North American furniture market

Applicable Industries and Scenarios

Because CAL TB 117-2013 is the universal threshold for the North American market, almost all soft furnishing products intended for export must comply. Key application areas include:

Residential Furniture

This is the primary application for TB 117-2013. All upholstered furniture sold in the US retail market (such as IKEA, Ashley, Walmart, and Target) must be compliant.

• Living room sofas, armchairs, and recliners
• Juvenile products and padded accessories
• Upholstered headboards and ottomans

For residential seating, sofa velvet upholstery and other IFR textiles are a common compliant choice.

Hospitality and Contract

Commercial spaces often have stricter fire codes (such as NFPA 260), but TB 117-2013 is frequently treated as the minimum entry standard.

• Guest rooms: upholstered bedding and sofas usually require TB 117 compliance.
• Multi-family housing: standard requirement for interior soft furnishings in apartments.
• Public area seating: low-risk areas such as libraries or lounges.

Specialized Industries and Export Chains

• North American exporters: if your clients include major retailers such as Costco, Wayfair, or Williams-Sonoma, a TB 117 report is mandatory to join their supplier list.
• RV and marine: many loose furniture items inside high-end recreational vehicles and yachts are increasingly adopting this standard to improve safety.

Testing Principles: Section 1 Fabric Test Explained

CAL TB 117-2013 is a component test. The standard tests fabrics (Section 1), barriers (Section 2), filling materials (Section 3), and decking (Section 4) separately. For fabric suppliers, the critical focus is Section 1.

Core Testing Logic (Fabric Smoldering Resistance)

The test simulates a lit cigarette falling into the crevice of a sofa.

• Mini-mockup setup: the test fabric is wrapped around standard, non-flame-retardant polyurethane foam to build a miniature seat-back model.
• Ignition process: a lit standard cigarette is placed in the model’s crevice and allowed to burn naturally, typically for 45 minutes.

Pass Criteria

To receive a passing report, the specimen must meet all three conditions:

• No open flame: the specimen must not transition into an open flame at any point during the test.
• Char length limit: the vertical char length caused by smoldering must not exceed 45 mm in any direction from the cigarette.
• Time limit: smoldering must not continue beyond 45 minutes.

Expert correction: note that Section 3 (filling material test) of TB 117-2013 is also a smoldering cigarette test, not an open flame test. The idea that the new standard requires open flame or heat release testing for foam is incorrect.

The Core Transformation: The Smolder Shift

To understand the significance of TB 117-2013, compare it with its predecessor (TB 117-2000). This shift represents a major industry move from “chemical fire suppression” to “physical fire safety.”

International Comparison: CAL TB 117 vs EN 1021

In the global market, buyers often confuse the US standard (CAL TB 117-2013) with the European standard (EN 1021). Both use cigarettes as a heat source, but they serve different legal jurisdictions and function slightly differently. For a wider view, see our comparison of EU, US, and China flammability testing standards.

Can I use an EN 1021 report for US clients?

Generally, no. Although the physics of the cigarette test are nearly identical, US retailers and compliance officers strictly require the report to cite “CAL TB 117-2013” specifically. Presenting an EN 1021 certificate will likely result in rejection by the buyer.

From a material development perspective, if a fabric passes CAL TB 117-2013, it has a very high probability (99%+) of also passing EN 1021-1 (cigarette), because the physical requirements are closely correlated.

Material Solutions: Chemical-Free FR Compliance Paths

Facing the US market’s strict “chemical-free” requirement, the furniture industry relies mainly on physical flame-retardancy mechanisms to pass the test. Below are the most common material solutions.

A. Physical Barrier Solutions (Residential Furniture)

These fabrics use fiber characteristics or weave structure to stop cigarette heat from igniting the foam, without chemical additives.

• High-GSM polyester: the most common solution. Increasing fabric weight (typically above 300 gsm) and weave density forms a dense physical barrier that blocks oxygen and prevents foam smoldering.
• Wool and blends: leverage wool’s natural moisture and nitrogen content, plus its ability to form a char layer when heated, giving excellent natural flame resistance.
• Tight-weave jacquard and chenille: not every chenille passes, but tight, heavy-backed varieties can delay heat transfer. Options include jacquard upholstery and chenille upholstery fabric.

B. Inherent FR Solutions (Contract / Commercial)

For high-traffic areas such as hotels and offices that need durability and permanent fire safety, the industry typically uses the following technologies:

• IFR polyester (inherently flame-retardant): modified fibers with flame-retardant elements added during polymerization. The FR performance is molecular, permanent (does not wash out), and typically free of banned halogenated chemicals. See our inherent flame-retardant polyester range.
• Modacrylic blends: a premium inherent FR fiber that does not melt or drip and has strong self-extinguishing properties. Often blended with polyester or rayon for projects needing superior touch and safety.

For contract seating that must also meet NFPA 260, an NFPA 260 compliant upholstery fabric is a direct, documented option.

W: 137 cm | Wt: 351-400 g/m²

Heavy-Duty Flame Retardant Upholstery Fabric for High-Traffic Commercial Seating

BG-221

W: 137 cm | Wt: 351-400 g/m²

Inherent Flame Retardant Polyester Sofa Fabric for Commercial Projects Direct Factory

BG-220

W: 300 cm | Wt: 151-200 g/m²

Begoodtex Flame Retardant Warp Knitted Fabric 100% Polyester

BG-F1

Buyer Guide: How to Select Compliant Fabrics

If you are a furniture manufacturer or exporter, use this checklist when sourcing fabrics:

Sourcing Checklist

• Report authenticity: do you have a formal TB 117-2013 Section 1 report from an ISO 17025 accredited lab? See our certification and test report page for reference.
• Method confirmation: confirm it is a smoldering test, not an invalid open flame test.
• Chemical compliance: is the fabric confirmed “chemical-free” (no added FR) to meet non-toxic market demands?
• Residential vs. public: TB 117-2013 is usually sufficient for residential. For public spaces or hotels, does the project require stricter standards such as NFPA 260 or BS 5852?

Conclusion

CAL TB 117-2013 is more than a California rule — it is the practical entry ticket to the North American furniture market. The standard rewards physical fire safety over chemical additives, which aligns with both buyer demand and global eco trends.

When selecting materials, match the solution to the application:

• Residential and export furniture: high-GSM polyester, wool blends, or tight-weave jacquard and chenille barriers.
• Contract and hospitality: permanent inherently flame-retardant (IFR) polyester or modacrylic blends.
• Public spaces: confirm whether NFPA 260 or BS 5852 is also required.

For any project, always request a valid third-party test report and keep the “chemical-free” claim documented. Whether you need a single flame-retardant fabric or a full compliant program, the right material choice starts with the right standard.

FAQ

Related Reading

• Fire-Retardant Upholstery Fabric: How It Works and Why It Matters
• Flame Retardant Fabric Testing Standards in the EU, US, and China
• Why Choose Fire-Retardant Upholstery Fabric for Your Home
• Flame Retardant Fabric Selection Guide