What is the Upholstered Furniture Action Council Fabric Classification Test Method 1990?

Smoking materials are the leading cause of upholstered furniture fires resulting in home losses and injuries. As a result, the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) published its Fabric Classification Test Method in 1990. The test assesses cigarette ignition resistance for upholstery cover fabrics in contact with polyurethane foam, which is the most popular furniture cushion filler used today. The goal is preventing a piece of furniture from catching fire and providing time for a person to extinguish the flame before it spreads to other parts of a home or building.

How is the UFAC Classification Method 1990 test conducted?

The test applies a lighted cigarette to vertical and horizontal panels of two inch covered foam. Samples are reviewed for time to ignition and char length. UFAC Class 1 can be used directly over polyurethane in furniture. UFAC Class 1 cover fabrics include samples that do not ignite or maintain a vertical char of less than 1.75 inches. UFAC Class 2 fabrics require a fire-resistant barrier between the cover and foam.

TVF stocks fabric that is UFAC Classification Test Method 1990 compliant.