Commercial seating · Guides · Flammability standards
Flammability standards
for upholstered seating
In the US, upholstered seating must meet the federal standard 16 CFR part 1640, which adopted California's TB 117-2013 smolder-resistance requirements and calls for a permanent compliance label. Commercial projects often add NFPA 260 or NFPA 261, the smoldering-ignition tests referenced by NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), and some specifications still cite the open-flame TB 133. In Florida, the Florida Fire Prevention Code is based on NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, and its 9th edition takes effect on December 31, 2026. Your local fire marshal has the final word on each project.
Updated September 2026 · General information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with your architect and local fire marshal.
Who requires what
| Standard | What it tests | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| 16 CFR 1640 (TB 117-2013) | Smolder resistance of cover, barrier and filling | Federal law for upholstered seating furniture; requires a permanent label |
| NFPA 260 | Cigarette ignition resistance of components (Class I) | Referenced by NFPA 101 for new upholstered furniture; common in hospitality specs |
| NFPA 261 | Cigarette ignition of a mock-up composite (char 1.5" max) | Alternative compliance path under NFPA 101 |
| TB 133 / ASTM E1537 | Full-scale open-flame test of the finished piece | Some public-occupancy specs and jurisdictions |
| Florida Fire Prevention Code | State fire code based on NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 | Enforced by local fire marshals; 9th edition effective Dec 31, 2026 |
What to ask before you order seating
- Which standards does the project specification call for? Ask your designer or architect, especially for hotels and public venues.
- What documentation comes with the cover fabric? Ask for the manufacturer's flammability data for the exact cover.
- What about the foam and barrier? The filling matters as much as the cover for smolder resistance.
- Is the fabric customer-supplied (COM)? Then its documentation has to come from the fabric source.
- Has the local fire marshal reviewed the plan? Requirements can vary by occupancy and jurisdiction.
At Sheep & Sleep we guide every commercial client to cover fabrics and fillings suited to these standards and share the material documentation, so your team can review it before production.
Specifying seating for a public venue?
Tell us which standards your project calls for. We plan materials around them from the start.
Request a commercial quote For designers & contractorsFlammability, answered
What flammability standard applies to upholstered seating in the US?
The federal standard is 16 CFR part 1640, which adopted California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 (TB 117-2013) nationwide. It covers upholstered seating furniture made, imported or reupholstered after it took effect, and requires a permanent label stating "Complies with U.S. CPSC requirements for upholstered furniture flammability".
What is NFPA 260?
NFPA 260 is a test method for the resistance of upholstered furniture components to cigarette (smoldering) ignition. NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, requires new upholstered furniture to resist smoldering ignition, either with components meeting Class I under NFPA 260 or with a mock-up composite tested under NFPA 261, unless an occupancy chapter says otherwise.
What is TB 133?
California Technical Bulletin 133 (related to ASTM E1537) is a full-scale open-flame test for seating in public occupancies. Some project specifications and jurisdictions still reference it, so check your specification and ask your fire marshal.
Which fire code applies in Florida?
Florida enforces the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is based on NFPA 1 (Fire Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) with Florida amendments. The 9th edition, based on the 2024 editions, takes effect on December 31, 2026. Your local fire marshal is the authority on how it applies to your project.
Does reupholstering booths change the requirements?
Under the federal standard, reupholsterers are responsible for compliance of the materials they add, and the rules apply when a reupholstered piece changes ownership. Booths reupholstered for the same restaurant that keeps them are treated differently. Ask your supplier to document the new cover and filling either way.
How does Sheep & Sleep handle flammability?
We guide every commercial client to choose cover fabrics and fillings suited to commercial flammability standards and share the material documentation with you, so your designer, contractor and fire marshal can review it. Final compliance requirements depend on your project and jurisdiction.