TB 117-2013 and NFPA 260 are often listed together on upholstery specifications. They are related smoldering-ignition test standards, but they are not interchangeable, and neither phrase by itself tells you that a finished chair or exam table is approved for a healthcare facility.
What TB 117-2013 covers
California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 contains procedures for evaluating the smolder resistance of materials used in upholstered furniture. Federal law incorporates TB 117-2013 into the U.S. upholstered-furniture flammability standard at 16 CFR part 1640. Covered upholstered furniture manufactured, imported, or reupholstered for sale must comply with the applicable TB 117-2013 component requirements. Part 1640 requires a permanent certification label; it does not require a separate General Certificate of Conformity for this standard.
A test result for upholstery cover material is still only one part of the furniture. It does not certify the foam, barrier, decking, seams, adhesives, frame, completed assembly, or a reupholstery installation.
What NFPA 260 covers
NFPA 260 provides test methods and a classification system for the resistance of upholstered-furniture components to ignition from a smoldering cigarette. Product literature should identify what was tested and the result or classification. A bare “NFPA 260” claim without current manufacturer documentation is not enough to make a project decision.
Does healthcare furniture always need both?
No universal rule says every healthcare upholstery project needs both. Covered furniture is subject to Part 1640, while additional project requirements may come from the furniture manufacturer, specifier, facility, authority having jurisdiction, or an applicable adopted code, subject to federal preemption. Ask for the requirement in writing and match it to the exact product documentation.
A practical material-documentation checklist
- Identify the exact furniture, occupancy, and authority or specifier controlling the job.
- Obtain the required standard, edition, classification, or acceptance criterion in writing.
- Match that requirement to the exact upholstery product and current manufacturer document.
- Do not treat a cover-material result as approval of the foam, barriers, seams, adhesives, or completed furniture.
- Keep the product identity and supporting documents with the job record.
Frequently asked questions
Are TB 117-2013 and NFPA 260 fire codes?
They are test standards used to evaluate smoldering-cigarette ignition resistance. A law, adopted code, facility specification, or authority having jurisdiction may require a particular result, but the test document itself should not be described as a universal healthcare fire code.
Is TB 117-2013 a national furniture standard?
Federal law incorporates TB 117-2013 into the upholstered-furniture flammability requirements at 16 CFR part 1640. That does not mean every separately sold upholstery material or every healthcare reupholstery project is automatically certified by a material test result.
Does a vinyl test result approve the finished chair?
No. The completed furniture includes other components and construction details. Confirm the finished-item requirements with the furniture manufacturer, specifier, or authority having jurisdiction.
Does healthcare furniture always require NFPA 260?
No blanket rule should be assumed. Obtain the exact occupancy, facility, code, or specification requirement before selecting material.
Can Carolyn Fabrics provide documentation?
Carolyn Fabrics can provide available manufacturer specification and test documents for an identified product. We do not certify the finished furniture or decide which requirement governs a facility.
Start with the healthcare upholstery vinyl guide or browse the healthcare and medical-office vinyl collection, then review the exact product page and request current documentation before ordering.