CAL TB117-2013 fire resistance identifies office furniture and upholstery specified in relation to California Technical Bulletin 117-2013, a standard concerned with resistance to smouldering ignition in upholstered furniture materials and assemblies. It is a useful detail for workplace projects where upholstery specification, supplier documentation and regional requirements need to be considered together.
This archive brings together furniture carrying this fire-resistance attribute. The designation should be read as part of the product specification, rather than as a statement that an item is fireproof or suitable for every regulatory setting. Materials, finishes and selected upholstery options can affect the documentation applicable to a particular configuration.
What is CAL TB117-2013?
CAL TB117-2013 is the commonly used name for California Technical Bulletin 117-2013. It sets smouldering ignition resistance requirements for components used in upholstered furniture. The standard is associated with testing that considers how cover fabrics, barrier materials and filling materials perform when exposed to a smouldering ignition source.
For office furniture, it is most relevant to upholstered products such as task seating, visitor chairs, lounge seating, sofas, booths and upholstered screens. It may also be relevant where a furniture design includes padded or fabric-covered elements, even when these are not the main seating surface.
The standard is not a general measure of an entire workplace’s fire safety. It does not mean that a product cannot burn, that it has been assessed against every possible ignition source, or that it satisfies all standards used in the UK, Europe or another project location.
Why fire-resistance information matters in furniture procurement
Fire performance information is often requested during furniture selection because it helps project teams compare specifications and maintain a clear record of what has been chosen. For larger fit-outs, the required evidence may be reviewed by facilities teams, designers, landlords, insurers or compliance advisers.
Recording the requested standard early can also help avoid later substitutions that alter the upholstery construction or fabric selection. This is particularly useful where the same furniture family is being specified across several areas with different uses.
- It supports a more consistent specification for upholstered workplace furniture.
- It gives procurement teams a recognised reference point when reviewing supplier information.
- It helps distinguish the fire-resistance requirement from colour, comfort, durability and cleaning considerations.
- It encourages confirmation of the exact fabric and product configuration before an order is finalised.
Furniture commonly associated with this attribute
CAL TB117-2013 is principally an upholstery-related designation, so it is more likely to appear on furniture with soft, padded or textile-covered construction. The products in this archive can include different formats and designs; the filter does not imply that every item has identical construction or is intended for the same setting.
Typical product types to review include:
- Task and operator chairs with upholstered seats or backs.
- Meeting, conference and visitor seating.
- Reception chairs, lounge chairs and modular soft seating.
- Sofas, benches and booths used in shared work or hospitality-style areas.
- Upholstered pods, screens and other furniture with integrated soft elements.
Hard-surface desks, storage and tables may feature alongside upholstered pieces in a wider scheme, but this particular standard is most meaningful where upholstery components are present. Review each product’s details rather than applying an upholstery classification to an entire furniture package.
Using CAL TB117-2013 in UK and international projects
CAL TB117-2013 originates from California and may be requested for projects with North American standards, global workplace guidelines or existing furniture schedules that use that terminology. Its presence in a specification can make comparison easier when several regions or suppliers are involved.
For a UK workplace, it should not automatically be treated as interchangeable with any British Standard, building requirement, landlord condition or insurance requirement. Fire-safety obligations can depend on the project location, the building, the furniture type and its intended use. A requirement for one test method or standard may not demonstrate compliance with another.
Where fire resistance is a formal project requirement, confirm the applicable rules with the responsible project professional and request the relevant product evidence for the exact item being considered. This is especially important for public-facing areas, education, healthcare, hospitality environments and projects operating under a detailed client specification.
How to compare upholstered furniture specifications
Fire resistance is one part of a practical furniture assessment. Once the required standard has been identified, compare it alongside how the furniture will be used, maintained and arranged. A reception chair used occasionally has different operational demands from a heavily used breakout sofa or a task chair assigned to a daily workstation.
Look at the full product description, including the upholstery category, finish options and any configuration choices. A range may offer several fabrics or leathers, and not every option necessarily carries the same supporting information. Similarly, a modular seating system may need checking as the complete selected arrangement, rather than as a single standalone module.
Questions to consider
- Is CAL TB117-2013 the standard named in the project brief, or is another standard also required?
- Which upholstered components are included in the selected model and finish?
- Does the documentation relate to the exact fabric, filling, barrier and product configuration?
- Will the furniture be used in a reception, meeting area, workspace, dining area or another shared setting?
- Are there building-specific, insurer or client requirements that need separate review?
Understanding the limits of the designation
A fire-resistance attribute is valuable only when interpreted precisely. CAL TB117-2013 concerns smouldering ignition resistance under the conditions set by that standard; it is not a universal fire rating for all furniture, components or circumstances. It should not be used to infer performance against open flame, electrical faults, building fires or tests not covered by the stated requirement.
It also does not replace sensible workplace fire precautions. Furniture layout, escape routes, housekeeping, electrical safety and the management of ignition sources remain separate considerations. The purpose of the attribute is to help narrow a catalogue by a relevant upholstery specification, not to provide a complete fire-risk assessment.
Building a considered office furniture schedule
When compiling a schedule, note the product name, selected finish, quantity, intended location and requested fire-resistance evidence together. This creates a clearer trail for design approvals and helps keep subsequent changes visible. It can be useful to group upholstered items separately from desks, tables and storage so that finish and upholstery requirements are easier to review.
Browse the wider office furniture collection to coordinate seating with workstations, meeting furniture and storage. For guidance on balancing workplace use, layout and specification requirements, see Myntwork’s resource on choosing office furniture.
