Upholstery fabrics are used in a wide variety of circumstances from domestic homes to heavy duty commercial environments. The expectations of each user of the fabric differ, and therefore fabrics are produced to match each of these expectations.
A grading scheme provides a useful way for fabrics to be categorised so that the correct fabric can be chosen for each application.
Grading of Upholstery Fabrics
Australian Standard 2687:1997 “Textiles – Upholstery fabrics for domestic and commercial use” grades upholstery fabric into five categories, based on performance over a range of tests.
The Commercial Textile Association (CTA) also provide a similar classification scheme.
The tests detailed in the classification schemes cover performance criteria such as abrasion resistance, shrinkage, strength, seam slippage, pilling, and colourfastness properties.
Flammability Testing
Specific fire tests to requirements will vary depending on where and how the product is to be used and so it may be necessary to have several tests on your fabric to satisfy all of the markets into which it is sold.
Commonly requested flammability tests for upholstery fabrics include–Smouldering (Cigarette) Ignition, Simulated Match Flame Ignition and Crib Ignition.
The National Construction Code specifies testing for Early Fire Hazard properties for fixed seating in class 2-9 Buildings.
