What does the law say about fireproof chairs?

When furnishing an office, a conference room, or organising an event or show, it is essential to choose the right furniture. It is not only a matter of selecting pieces that match the general style of the environment, but it is also essential to comply with certain safety criteria imposed by law.

In this context, chairs play a crucial role, as they must not only be comfortable, but also able to guarantee the safety of guests. It is necessary to opt for fireproof chairs that minimise risks in the event of fire.

Fire-resistant chairs: regulations and certifications

Naturally, not only the chairs, but also the other furnishings and the spaces themselves, such as offices and rooms of various kinds, must conform to specific requirements dictated by fire regulations. Fire-resistant chairs must comply with Ministerial Decree 26/06/84. This regulation deals with the classification of the reaction to fire of materials and their approval for fire prevention purposes.

Classification and identification of fire-resistant chairs

To recognise the suitability class of chairs, it is important to understand the concept of “reaction to fire”.
This term defines the degree to which a combustible material participates in the fire to which it is subjected. Based on this reaction, the material is assigned a suitability class ranging from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates no reaction and 5 indicates high flammability.

Fire-retardant chairs must have a Class 1 certification. If additional components are present, such as a fabric cover, these must be approved by the Ministry of the Interior according to classification 1IM, 2IM or 3IM. These classifications are established through flammability tests on samples exposed to a 40mm flame for a variable length of time. Based on the duration of fire application and the ability to self-extinguish within 120 seconds, one of the following classes is assigned:

1. Class 1IM: resistance up to 140 seconds;
2. Class 2IM: resistance up to 80 seconds; 
3. Class 3IM: endurance of up to 20 seconds.

Offices and workspaces: regulations

Offices and workspaces must also comply with the same regulations. Ministerial Decree 26/06/84 is the main reference in these contexts too, and fire safety is also mentioned in the GDPR regulations on privacy and data security. In addition to chairs, all other furniture elements must be fireproof. For example:

• cupboards and desks are generally approved class 2 if they are made of wood or melamine-faced panels;
• for armchairs, it is sufficient for the individual components (upholstery, padding) to be fireproof, but in any case, the furniture must be recognised by the Ministry of the Interior; 
• to protect paper documents, we recommend cabinets or drawer units that are made of fireproof materials such as laminate.

The proposals of Tavolisedie.com on fireproof furniture

It is essential to understand that safety and aesthetics can co-exist in harmony. For example, when selecting chairs for an event with audience participation, it is necessary to consider not only the characteristics of the event itself, but also to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests.

In contexts such as meetings, congresses or shows, where spectators are seated for prolonged periods, it is crucial to offer ergonomic and comfortable chairs with soft padding, well-designed backrests and in line with fireproof seating regulations.

To simplify this choice, tavolisedie.com offers an extensive catalogue of fire-resistant chairs that perfectly combine safety, comfort and aesthetics. From stackable flame-retardant chairs to dock able flame-retardant chairs, all our proposals include various design and material options, all of which comply with fire safety regulations. In doing so, we ensure that we can create an environment that is not only safe and compliant with standards, but also visually appealing and enhances the overall guest experience.