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Fire testing of furniture, textiles and bedding components for the maritime industry

Furniture, textiles and bedding components used on ships must meet fire performance requirements for ignition and flame spread.

DBI performs reaction-to-fire testing of upholstered furniture, vertically supported textiles and bedding components for ships according to IMO fire test procedures.

The testing documents how materials and products respond to small ignition sources under controlled fire exposure conditions.

Container ship sailing through a port at sunset surrounded by cranes and harbour facilities.

Facts

Relevant standard:

  • IMO FTP Code Part 7 – Vertically supported textiles and films
  • IMO FTP Code Part 8 – Upholstered furniture
  • IMO FTP Code Part 9 – Bedding components

Typical applications:

  • Upholstered furniture
  • Curtains and textile surfaces
  • Mattresses and bedding components


Documentation: Accredited fire test reports

Testing furniture, textiles and bedding components

Furniture, textiles and bedding components used on ships are tested to document how materials and products react when exposed to small ignition sources.


The testing typically evaluates:


  • Ignition behaviour
  • Flame spread across the surface
  • Whether combustion continues after the ignition source is removed


The tests are performed using standardised ignition scenarios designed to simulate ignition sources such as a cigarette or a match flame.


  • Testing of upholstered furniture includes the complete furniture assembly, including cover materials, padding and foam materials.
  • Vertically supported textiles can include curtains and other suspended textile materials used in ship interiors.
  • Bedding components such as mattresses are evaluated according to separate IMO fire test procedures.


DBI performs accredited testing according to the relevant IMO fire test procedures for marine applications.

One of DBI furnaces after a fire test, where a technican is pouring water on the burning test item.

See some of our fire test furnaces in this video

Our 3,000 square meter headquarters near Copenhagen houses a modern fire laboratory with various furnaces for almost all types of fire tests.

This makes it possible for us to conduct almost all types of fire tests, from small-scale to full-scale, with items as high as 4.48 meters.

Watch the video of some of our fire testing facilities.

Let us help you navigate maritime fire testing

Mark works closely with our fire testing engineers within the maritime sector, and he will be happy to assist you with your enquiry and connect you with the right team.

Mark Lerche
Mark Lerche
International Sales Manager
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Mark Lerche

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Location

Our headquarters and test facilities are centrally located in Copenhagen, Denmark – close to the motorway and only a 15-minute drive from Copenhagen Airport.


Address: Jernholmen 12, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark

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