Two questions come up on almost every commercial and marine job: “Is this fabric fire rated?” and “Will it last outside?” Both have precise answers in New Zealand — and both are regularly misunderstood. This is the practical version for people quoting real jobs.
This guide is general information for upholstery professionals, not a substitute for the Building Code, your local council, or a fire engineer on a specific project.
Part 1 — Fire performance
Domestic furniture
New Zealand has no mandatory fire-performance standard for domestic upholstered furniture (unlike the UK’s Furniture and Furnishings Regulations). That said, most reputable fabrics are tested to AS/NZS 1530.3 and most quality seating foam is combustion-modified. We list this on every product because it’s simply good practice — and because a domestic fabric often ends up in a commercial job.
Commercial and public buildings
Here the Building Code applies through Clause C (Protection from Fire) and the Acceptable Solutions C/AS1–C/AS7 (now consolidated as C/AS2). The key point for upholsterers: the requirements target surface finishes and, in certain spaces, furnishings. The more people a space holds and the harder it is to escape, the higher the group number required.
| Standard / test | What it measures | What to ask a supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| AS/NZS 1530.3 | Ignitability, flame spread, heat release and smoke developed indices (each 0–10) | The four indices — lower is better; “cigarette & match” pass is the baseline |
| AS/NZS 3837 (cone calorimeter) | Heat-release rate, converted to a Group Number 1–4 (1 is best) | Group number and smoke growth rate (SMOGRA) |
| ISO 9705 (room corner test) | Full-scale fire growth of a wall/ceiling lining | Group number — the definitive test, used for linings not fabric |
| AS/NZS 4088 | Cigarette and match ignitability of upholstered composites (fabric + foam together) | Pass/fail — relevant to seating in high-risk occupancies |
| BS 5852 / EN 1021 | UK/EU composite cigarette and match tests | Often quoted on imported contract fabrics; broadly comparable to 4088 |
What this means when you quote
- Cafés, offices, retail: a fabric with 1530.3 results and CM foam is usually sufficient. Keep the certificate on file.
- Hotels, aged care, hospitals, prisons, cinemas, transport: expect to be asked for Group 1–2 fabrics and composite (4088 / BS 5852) results. Specify a contract-grade fabric such as Sentinel and ask us for the reports.
- Fabric + foam + interliner tested together is what the higher-risk occupancies actually want. A fire-retardant interliner between fabric and foam is the usual way to lift a composite result.
- Get it in writing. Ask the specifier or fire engineer which standard and which group they need before you order fabric — not after.
Part 2 — Marine and outdoor fabrics in NZ conditions
New Zealand’s UV index is among the highest in the world, and most of the population lives within an hour of salt water. A fabric that lasts five years on a European terrace can be chalking after two summers in Northland. Three properties matter.
1. Solution-dyed fibre
Colour is added to the polymer before the fibre is extruded, so it runs all the way through (think carrot, not radish). Solution-dyed acrylic is the standard for boat covers, bimini tops, squabs and outdoor cushions; solution-dyed polyester is a lower-cost alternative for less exposed positions. Look for a lightfastness rating of grade 7+ (ISO 105-B02) and a stated fade warranty — our Coastal canvas carries five years.
2. Water and mildew resistance
Outdoor fabrics should be water-repellent (beads and runs off) but breathable, so trapped moisture can escape. Fully waterproof PVC-coated fabrics are right for covers and splash zones but sweat when used as seating. Pair any outdoor cover with reticulated dry-fast foam so water drains rather than pools — see our foam guide.
3. The right hardware
Salt air eats plated steel. Use stainless staples, stainless or nylon zips, UV-stabilised bonded polyester or PTFE thread, and marine-grade plywood or aluminium bases. A $30 box of stainless staples is cheap insurance against rust bleeding through a $1,500 set of squabs.
A specification checklist
- Which occupancy / risk group is the space? (Ask the client or fire engineer.)
- Fire test results required: 1530.3 indices, 3837 group, composite test?
- Fabric Martindale rating appropriate to the traffic (100,000+ for severe commercial).
- Cleaning code and bleach-cleanability for healthcare and hospitality.
- For outdoor/marine: solution-dyed, lightfastness grade, water-repellency, mildew resistance, and dry-fast foam.
- Stainless or non-corroding fixings throughout.
Trade customers: we hold AS/NZS test reports for all contract-grade fabrics and foam and can supply them for tender submissions. Open a trade account or contact us with the project details.