Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester
Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester – ToronFT™ F-IR
ToronFT™ F-IR Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester is a precision laboratory instrument designed to evaluate the ignition resistance properties of upholstered soft furniture — including sofas, chairs, and spring mattresses — using a simulated match flame ignition source. Upholstered furniture ignition resistance is a critical fire safety parameter — residential and commercial upholstered furniture that ignites easily from small, accidental flame sources (such as a dropped match or lighter) can rapidly grow into a life-threatening fire.
The ToronFT™ F-IR uses a controlled match flame simulation via a precisely dimensioned stainless steel burning pipe and a calibrated flow control system to evaluate the ignition resistance of furniture cover fabrics, padding materials, and sofa/mattress assemblies. It complies with ISO 8191-1, ISO 8191-2, and EN 597-1 and 597-2 — the primary international standards for soft furniture and mattress ignition resistance testing.
Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester – ToronFT™ F-IR Applications
The ToronFT™ F-IR is applicable for ignition resistance testing of the following soft furniture and upholstered product types:
- Upholstered sofas and chairs — cover fabrics, filling materials, and composite assemblies — for ignition resistance qualification per ISO 8191 and EN 597
- Spring mattresses and mattress assemblies for ignition resistance compliance testing per ISO 8191-1 and EN 597-1
- Foam-padded soft furniture components requiring ignition resistance characterization with a simulated match flame source
- Upholstered furniture cover fabrics and interliners for ignition resistance qualification independently and in composite assemblies
- Children's furniture and nursery upholstered products requiring ignition resistance safety certification
- Research and development of ignition-resistant upholstery fabrics, padding materials, and sofa/mattress composite constructions
Standards
The ToronFT™ F-IR is designed to comply with the following international standards for soft furniture and mattress ignition resistance testing:
- ISO 8191-1: Furniture: Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 1: Ignition source: smouldering cigarette
- ISO 8191-2: Furniture: Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 2: Ignition source: match flame equivalent
- EN 597-1: Furniture: Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases — Part 1: Ignition source: smouldering cigarette
- EN 597-2: Furniture: Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases — Part 2: Ignition source: match flame equivalent
- ASTM E1590: Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses
Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester – ToronFT™ F-IR Key Features
- Simulated match flame ignition source delivered via precision stainless steel burning pipe — replicates the real-world ignition scenario of an accidentally dropped match for standardized furniture and sofa ignition resistance testing per ISO 8191-2 and EN 597-2
- Precisely dimensioned gas delivery hose: length 2.5–3 mm, inner diameter 71 mm, connected to the stainless steel burning pipe — ensuring consistent flame geometry and gas flow conditions for reproducible furniture ignition resistance test results
- Precision flow control system comprising flow meter, fine-tuning valve, switch valve, and pressure regulating valve maintains the gas flow rate at 45 ± 2 ml/min for the exact match flame simulation required by ISO 8191-2 and EN 597-2
- Nominal output pressure of 2.8 kPa ensures correct match flame equivalent combustion characteristics for standardized sofa, upholstery, and mattress ignition resistance testing
- Microcomputer control system automates flame application timing, test sequence management, and data logging for ISO 8191 and EN 597 compliant furniture ignition resistance test documentation
- Suitable for testing the full range of upholstered soft furniture — including sofas, chairs, and spring mattresses — in both composite assembly and individual component configurations for comprehensive ignition resistance characterization
- Complies with ISO 8191-1, ISO 8191-2, EN 597-1, and EN 597-2, providing internationally recognized furniture and sofa ignition resistance test results accepted by certification bodies in North America and Europe
Theory and Method
Furniture ignition resistance testing evaluates whether upholstered furniture or mattress assemblies will ignite and sustain combustion when exposed to a defined small flame ignition source — simulating the accidental ignition scenario of a dropped match or lighter. The match flame equivalent test applies a calibrated gas flame from a stainless steel burning pipe to the surface of the furniture specimen for a defined duration, and the specimen is subsequently observed for ignition, smoldering, or progressive combustion.
In the ToronFT™ F-IR, the match flame simulation is delivered through the stainless steel burning pipe connected to a precisely calibrated flow control system. The hose connecting the gas supply to the burning pipe has a length of 2.5–3 mm and an inner diameter of 71 mm, ensuring the correct gas flow geometry for match flame simulation. The flow control system — comprising a flow meter, fine-tuning valve, switch valve, and pressure regulating valve — maintains the gas flow rate at 45 ± 2 ml/min and the nominal output pressure at 2.8 kPa. These precisely controlled conditions produce a reproducible match flame equivalent for standardized furniture ignition resistance testing. The microcomputer control system manages the test sequence, flame application timing, and data recording for ISO 8191 and EN 597-compliant ignition resistance test documentation.
Soft Furniture Ignition Resistance Tester – ToronFT™ F-IR Technical Specifications
| Component / Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Product Name | Micro-Controlled Soft Furniture Spring Mattress and Sofa Ignition Resistance Tester |
| Model | ToronFT™ F-IR |
| Applicable Products | Upholstered sofas, chairs, spring mattresses, upholstered bed bases |
| Compliance Standards | ISO 8191-1; ISO 8191-2; EN 597-1; EN 597-2 |
| Equipment Composition | Combustion chamber (test chamber), ignition source device (cigarette/match/woodpile), test platform, and computer control system with operating software |
| Combustion Chamber & Test Platform | |
| Chamber Dimensions | 2.5 × 2.8 × 2.4 m (L × W × H) |
| Chamber Structure | Steel frame + painted shell |
| Air Inlet & Airflow | • Air Inlet: 500 × 200 mm (located on both sides) • Airflow Velocity: 0.02–0.2 m/s |
| Door Dimensions | 2.0 × 1.0 m (walk-in door equipped with an observation window) |
| Exhaust System | Top-mounted smoke exhaust system |
| Test Platform | • Structure: Steel platform with a flat and stable surface • Maximum Sample Size: ≤ 2.0 × 1.8 m (mattress) |
| Ignition Source System | |
| 1. Simulated Match Flame | • Combustion Tube: Stainless steel burning pipe; Ø8 mm (outer diameter), 200 mm length • Ignition Distance: 20–80 mm (adjustable) |
| 2. Cigarette Smoldering | • Dimensions: Length 55 ±5 mm; Diameter 8 ±0.5 mm • Burning Time: 12 ±3 min per 50 mm |
| 3. Wood Stack Source | Standard configuration includes one set (consumable) |
| Gas Control & Timing System | |
| Flow Control System | Includes flow meter, fine-tuning valve, switch valve, and pressure regulating valve |
| Gas Flow & Pressure | • Nominal Output Pressure: 2.8 kPa • Standard Gas Flow Rate: 45 ± 2 mL/min • Flow Rate Range: 10–100 mL/min |
| Hose Specifications | Length: 2.5–3 mm; Inner Diameter: 71 mm |
| Timing & Recording | • Timing Range: 0–99.99 h (adjustable) • Recordable Data: Afterburning time, smoldering time, extinguishing time |
| Control System & Software | |
| Hardware Configuration | Microcomputer (PC) + Data Acquisition Card |
| Operation Method | • Operation Method: Guided software menu • Ignition Method: Manual |
| Software Capabilities | Automatic setting and recording of test parameters, data storage, curve display, and report output (includes lifetime upgrades) |
For more information, pricing, or to request a quotation, please contact ToronFT. Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.