CAL TB 117-2013: US Upholstery Fire Safety Standards

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 article provides an in-depth analysis of CAL TB 117-2013, the current gold standard for furniture fire safety in the United States, helping you avoid legal risks and select the right compliant 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 technically a regulation under California jurisdiction, due to the sheer size of the California economy and the unified nature of global supply chains, it has effectively become the De Facto National Standard for the entire US furniture industry.

Applicable Industries & Scenarios

Since 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 (e.g., IKEA, Ashley, Walmart, Target) must be mandatory compliant.

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

Hospitality & Contract

While commercial spaces often have stricter fire codes (such as NFPA 260), TB 117-2013 is often regarded 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: For low-risk areas like libraries or lounges.

Specialized Industries & Export Chains

• North American Exporters: If your target clients include major retailers like Costco, Wayfair, or Williams-Sonoma, a TB 117 report is a mandatory document to join their supplier list.
• RV & Marine: Many loose furniture items within high-end recreational vehicles and yachts are increasingly adopting this standard to enhance 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 real-world scenario where a lit cigarette falls into the crevice of a sofa.

• Mini-mockup Setup: The test fabric is wrapped around standard, non-flame-retardant polyurethane foam to create 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:

1. No Open Flame: The specimen must not transition into an open flame at any point during the test.
2. Char Length Limit: The vertical char length caused by smoldering must not exceed 45mm in any direction from the cigarette.
3. Time Limit: Smoldering must not continue beyond 45 minutes.

Expert Correction: Please note that Section 3 (Filling Material Test) of TB 117-2013 is also a Smoldering Cigarette Test. It is NOT an open flame test. The misconception 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, one must compare it with its predecessor (TB 117-2000). This shift represents a major industry transition from “Chemical Fire Suppression” to “Physical Fire Safety.”

Comparison: TB 117 (Old) vs. TB 117-2013 (Current)

Feature	TB 117-2000 (Old Version 1975)	TB 117-2013 (Current Version)
Primary Test Object	Focused on Filling Materials (Foam)	Component Test (Fabric + Foam + Barrier)
Ignition Source	Open Flame	Smoldering Cigarette
Chemical Retardants	Mandatory (Often contained PBDEs/TDCPP)	Not Required (Encourages physical barriers)
Eco & Health	❌ High toxicity concerns; environmental hazard	✔ Non-toxic Focus; aligns with global eco-trends
Scope	Mandatory in California only	National Standard (North American norm)

International Comparison: CAL TB 117 vs. EN 1021

In the global market, confusion often arises between the US standard (CAL TB 117-2013) and the European standard (EN 1021). While both use “cigarettes” as a heat source, they serve different legal jurisdictions and function slightly differently.

Comparison	CAL TB 117-2013 (USA)	EN 1021 (Europe)
Ignition Source	Smoldering Cigarette ONLY	Part 1: Cigarette Part 2: Match (Open Flame)
Test Substrate	Standard PU Foam (Non-FR) Tests the fabric’s protective ability.	Standard PU Foam (for Fabric test) Or CMHR foam for furniture tests.
Difficulty Level	Moderate Requires fabric to block oxygen to the foam.	Variable Part 1 is similar to TB 117. Part 2 (Match) is harder.
Interchangeability	Accepted in USA/Canada	Accepted in EU/UK (Part 1 only)

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 legal 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.

However, from a material development perspective, if a fabric passes CAL TB 117-2013, it has a very high probability (99%+) of passing EN 1021-1 (Cigarette), as the physical requirements are highly correlated.

Material Solutions: Industry-Standard “Chemical-Free” Compliance Paths

Facing the US market’s strict requirement for “Chemical Free” products, the furniture industry currently relies primarily on physical flame retardancy mechanisms to pass the test. Below are the most common material solutions in the market today:

A. Physical Barrier Solutions (For Residential Furniture)

These fabrics rely on fiber characteristics or weave structures to prevent cigarette heat from igniting the foam, without chemical additives.

• High-GSM Polyester: The most common solution. By increasing fabric weight (typically above 300gsm) and weave density, a dense physical barrier is formed to block oxygen supply and prevent foam smoldering.
• Wool & Blends: Leverages wool’s natural high moisture content, high nitrogen content, and ability to form a char layer upon heating (Char Formation), providing excellent natural flame resistance.
• Tight-Weave Jacquard & Chenille: Not all Chenilles pass, but varieties with a tight structure and heavy backing can effectively delay heat transfer.

B. Inherent FR Solutions (For Contract/Commercial)

For high-traffic areas like hotels and offices, which require durability and permanent fire safety, the industry typically employs 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.
• 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 requiring superior touch and safety.

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?
• 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: TB 117-2013 is usually sufficient. Public Spaces/Hotels: Does the project require stricter standards like NFPA 260 or BS 5852?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)