What is BS EN 597-2 – Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases about?
BS EN 597-2 is one of a series of standards concerned with the ignitability of upholstered furniture using various ignition sources. The ignition source used in BS EN 597-2 is a gas flame equivalent to a match flame.
BS EN 597-2 specifies a test method to assess the ignitability of mattresses, upholstered bed bases when subjected to a gas flame as an ignition source.
Note: Air mattresses and water beds are excluded from this standard.
Who is BS EN 597-2 - Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases for?
BS EN BS EN 597-2 guidelines on the assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases is useful for:
- Mattresses and upholstered bed manufacturers
- Mattress and bed designing teams
- Product development teams/innovation teams
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 597-2 - Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases?
Mattresses and upholstered bed bases can catch fire easily. Assessment of ignitability is necessary to understand the threshold of catching fire. BS EN 597-2 provides guidelines for assessment procedures, which include: progressive smouldering ignition and flaming ignition. The use of BS EN 597-2 guidelines enables you to deliver a quality product with required safety measures.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 597-2:2015 supersedes BS EN 597-2:1994. BS EN 597-2:2015 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 597-2:1994. These include:
- BS EN 597-2 has been aligned with EN 597-1
- A tolerance has been added to the temperature of the gas flame
- Clarification of the gas supply required to produce ignition source 1

