Furniture fire labels are the permanent labels sewn or fixed onto upholstered furniture, such as sofas, armchairs, sofa beds, cushions and mattresses, to show it meets the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The rules apply to second-hand furniture as well as new, so a shop or charity generally can’t resell a piece that has lost its label.
Where to find one
Business Companion, the trading standards guidance site, says the permanent label is “usually found behind a loose cover at the rear of the furniture or under a seat cushion”. Mattresses show compliance with British Standard BS 7177. Furniture made before 1 January 1950 is outside the rules altogether, and pieces with no upholstery, like wooden tables and wardrobes, don’t need a label.
Why it matters when you move or store
The label is often what decides whether a sofa has a second life. The British Heart Foundation, for example, says that “By law, we cannot sell upholstered furniture in our stores without a fire safety label”, and asks for no rips that expose the inner fabric. A missing label usually means a council collection or a trip to the recycling centre instead.
At Wigwam
If you’re storing furniture with us while you decide whether to keep, sell or give it away, a little care now keeps every option open. Before you pack, check each upholstered piece for its label, and wrap it without cutting or removing the label. A polythene sofa cover from our Box Shop slides on over the top for the move; once it’s in the unit, swap it for something breathable, such as a furniture blanket, so the fabric stays fresh.
If you’re unsure what to keep, call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you choose a unit size for the pieces you’re holding on to.
Related terms
Related questions
- Should I store furniture, sell it or give it away?
- Should I put things into storage before a house clearance?
- How much does it cost to store furniture?
- Who will take furniture without fire labels?
Further reading
- Business Companion: Second-hand upholstered furniture: fire safety
- British Heart Foundation: Book a furniture collection