Upholstery fabrics glossary: weight, Martindale, B-s1,d0 and fire standards
What the acronyms on a fabric technical sheet mean: weight, Martindale, pilling, light fastness, B-s1,d0, EN 1021, Crib 5, M1, B1, IMO and more. Explained without technicalities to make the right choice.
A fabric data sheet is full of acronyms: g/m², Martindale, B-s1,d0, Crib 5, M1, IMO… Here we explain what each one means, without technicalities, so you can choose the right fabric for each job and read any technical data sheet with confidence.
1. Basic fabric data
Weight (g/m²)
This is what one square meter of fabric weighs, in grams. A high weight usually indicates a denser fabric with more body; a low one, lighter and with more drape. For example, ILUCS weighs 265 g/m² and IZZER 460 g/m².
Width and linear meter
The width is the measurement of the roll from selvedge to selvedge, in centimeters. At ISITEX we sell by the linear meter: one meter in length by the full width of the roll. To calculate how much you need, always start from the usable width of the fabric you choose.
Composition and its acronyms
The composition indicates which fibers the fabric is made of and in what percentage. On the technical sheets, you will see acronyms like these:
- PL or PES: polyester.
- WO: wool. On some data sheets you will see WV, which indicates virgin wool.
- PA: polyamide.
- PU: polyurethane, common in coatings and faux leathers.
- PVC: polyvinyl chloride, in technical vinyls.
- CO: cotton. LI: linen. SE: silk.
- OF: other fibers, in small percentages.
FR and Trevira CS
FR (from the English flame retardant) means that the fabric retards the flame. There are two ways to achieve this:
- Inherently FR: the protection is inside the fiber itself. This is the case of Trevira CS, a polyester whose fire resistance is part of the fiber since its manufacture, so it is not lost with use, cleaning or washing. Our ILUCS is 100 % Trevira CS.
- FR by treatment: the fabric receives a flame retardant finish after being manufactured.
Furthermore, wool defends itself against fire: when burned, it forms a carbon layer on the surface that slows down the flame.
2. Resistance to use
Martindale: abrasion resistance
This is the test that measures how well a fabric withstands friction before wearing out. A machine rubs the fabric in circular movements and the cycles are counted until a specific wear appears. The method is the EN ISO 12947-2 standard, which applies a pressure of 12 kPa for upholstery.
The more cycles, the more resistant. As a common guideline in the sector (this is not an official standard, and each manufacturer or specifier may request a different figure):
- Less than 10.000 cycles: decorative use (cushions, headboards).
- From 15,000 to 25,000: domestic upholstery.
- From 25,000 to 30,000: heavy domestic use.
- From 30.000-40.000: contract use (hotels, offices, restaurants, waiting rooms).
Pilling: the little balls
Pilling is the formation of small fiber balls on the surface. It is tested according to the EN ISO 12945-2 standard and scored from 1 to 5: 5 is no pilling and 1 is very severe pilling.
Color fastness to light
It measures how well the color withstands light without fading. It is tested under the EN ISO 105-B02 standard, using a xenon arc lamp that mimics daylight; this machine is commonly called Xenotest. The result is compared to a blue wool scale from 1 to 8: the higher, the more resistant.
Color fastness to rubbing
It measures whether the color transfers when rubbed, both dry and wet. It is rated from 1 to 5 using a gray scale: 5 means no change.
3. Behavior in response to fire
The first thing to know: each country and each use has its own standards, and a fabric that passes one does not necessarily pass another. That is why the technical sheets list several. In addition, seating tests are carried out with the fabric over a specific foam: the result is valid for that combination.
For seating across Europe: EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2
A test chair is assembled with the fabric and the foam.
- EN 1021-1 (cigarette): a lit cigarette is left in the angle between the seat and the backrest. After one hour, the fabric must not continue to burn or smolder.
- EN 1021-2 (match): a gas flame equivalent to a match is applied for 15 seconds. Two minutes after removing it, it must not continue to burn.
When a data sheet says "EN 1021-1&2" or "cigarette & match", it has passed both.
For panels and wallcoverings: EN 13501-1 and the famous B-s1,d0
It is the European reaction to fire classification for construction materials, which includes fabrics used to cover walls and panels. The main test is called SBI (Single Burning Item): two panels covered with the fabric form the corner of a room, and a source representing a burning wastepaper basket is burned in it.
The result has three parts. Let's take B-s1,d0:
- The letter (A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F) indicates how much the material contributes to fire. A1 and A2 are non-combustible materials, and a fabric can never reach A. For a fabric, B is among the best that can be achieved.
- s1, s2 or s3 is the smoke it produces: s1 is little smoke and s3 a lot.
- d0, d1 or d2 are the flaming droplets or particles that fall when burning: d0 is none and d2 many.
Thus, B-s1,d0 means: very limited contribution to fire, little smoke, and no flaming droplets. This is the class of our ILUCS. IZZER is C-s1,d0.
Adhered or un-adhered. The fabric can be tested adhered to a support or installed un-adhered, and the class may change. For example, ERA 170 is B-s1,d0 adhered and C-s1,d0 un-adhered. Always pay attention to how you are going to install it.
For curtains: EN 13773
It classifies curtains and drapes from class 1 (the best) to 5, combining two tests: how easily the vertically hung fabric ignites and how quickly the flame spreads.
United Kingdom: BS 5852, Crib 5 and BS 7176
- BS 5852 Crib 5 (ignition source 5): a small wooden crib is ignited on the test chair, which is about 16 times more intense than a match. To pass, all flames must extinguish within 10 minutes and the foam must not burn through from side to side.
- BS 476 parts 6 and 7: flame spread on vertical surfaces. Class 1 is derived from part 7, and Class 0 additionally requires part 6, which measures the heat released by the fabric when burning.
- BS 5867-2: curtains and drapes. It has three levels (A, B, and C, from least to most demanding); Type B is considered suitable for non-domestic use.
BS 7176 groups seating tests by hazard level:
- Low hazard (cigarette and match): offices, schools, museums.
- Medium hazard (plus Crib 5): hotel bedrooms, restaurants, bars, public buildings, hospitals.
- High hazard (with Crib 7, about four times more intense than Crib 5): some hospital wards, offshore installations and marine platforms.
France: M1
The NF P 92-507 standard classifies materials from M1 (the best) to M4. It is used in France, and also in Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. For armchairs in fixed rows (cinemas, theaters, auditoriums), France also requires the AM18 (NF D 60-013) test.
Germany: B1 (DIN 4102)
DIN 4102 B1 is the German reaction to fire test (the so-called Brandschacht): the fabric is exposed to the flame for 10 minutes and a sufficient part must remain unburned, with smoke below 200 °C. B2 is the minimum requirement for any building material in Germany.
Italy: Classe 1 and Classe 1 IM
- Classe 1 (UNI 8456 and UNI 9174): fabrics for panels and vertical surfaces, from class 1 (the best) to 5.
- Classe 1 IM (UNI 9175): upholstered seats ("IM" comes from imbottiti, padded), from class 1 (the best) to 3.
Austria: ÖNORM B 3825 and Q1
ÖNORM B 3825 is the Austrian test for seating. The ÖNORM A 3800-1 standard measures smoke, from Q1 (the best, little smoke) to Q3.
Ships: IMO and MED
The IMO (International Maritime Organization) FTP Code sets the fire tests for ships: part 7 for vertically hung textiles (curtains) and part 8 for upholstered furniture (cigarette and flame). The European Marine Equipment Directive (MED, 2014/90/EU) grants the wheelmark seal; that is why on some data sheets you will see references such as MED/3.19 (curtains and hung textiles) or MED/3.20 (upholstered furniture).
United States and aviation
- California TB 117-2013: a lit cigarette on the test seat for 45 minutes. The fabric must not ignite or char more than 45 mm.
- NFPA 260 / UFAC: a very similar cigarette test, common in the rest of the US.
- ASTM E84: the "tunnel test" for wall and ceiling coverings, which measures flame spread and smoke development, classifying materials into Class A (or 1), B, and C.
- NFPA 701: the one for curtains in the US.
- FAR 25.853: flammability requirement for aircraft interiors.
4. Sustainability and other seals
- EU Ecolabel: the official ecological label of the European Union.
- EPD (Environmental Product Declaration): verified report of the environmental impact of the fabric throughout its entire life cycle.
- Möbelfakta: Swedish seal of quality, environment and social responsibility for furniture.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: certifies that the fabric has been analyzed for harmful substances. ILUCS has it.
5. Terms for acoustics
- Acoustically transparent: fabric that lets sound pass through almost without slowing it down. It is used to cover acoustic panels, speakers and booths, because the sound-absorbing material is behind it. This is a property declared by the manufacturer; there is no official class like the fire ones. BLAZER LITE and ERA 170 are designed for this.
How to use this glossary
Before buying, look at three things on the data sheet:
- Where it goes: seat, wall or curtain.
- Where the project is located: the country determines the required fire standard.
- How much use it will get: this tells you how many Martindale cycles you need.
All our data sheets include their certificates and tests to download in PDF, in the downloads area. If you have a project with a specific requirement, write to us and we will tell you which fabric meets it.