CAL 117 (TB117-2013) and CAL 133: What They Mean for Upholstered Furniture in the US

In the world of furniture manufacturing and upholstery, fire safety is a critical concern.

The state of California has implemented rigorous fire safety standards to protect consumers and enhance fire resistance in furniture.

Among these, California Technical Bulletin 117 (CAL 117) and California Technical Bulletin 133 (CAL 133) are paramount.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of these standards, their significance, and their impact on the industry, particularly focusing on synthetic leather products used in upholstery.

 

CAL 117: California Technical Bulletin 117

Overview

CAL 117, a California-specific regulation, sets the flammability standards for upholstered furniture. This regulation is designed to evaluate the burning rate of filling materials, such as foam, when exposed to an open flame. The primary goal of CAL 117 is to ensure that materials used in upholstered furniture exhibit a controlled burn rate, thereby enhancing overall fire safety.

Testing Methodology

The testing process for CAL 117 involves exposing the upholstery materials to an open flame and measuring the rate at which the materials ignite and burn. The test simulates real-world conditions to determine how quickly a fire could spread if the furniture were to catch fire. This rigorous testing helps to ensure that only materials with a controlled burn rate are approved for use in upholstered furniture sold in California.

Implications for Synthetic Leather

Materials commonly used in upholstery, including PU leather and PVC leather, must comply with CAL 117 to be sold in California. Synthetic leather products must undergo comprehensive testing to ensure they meet the specified flammability standards. Compliance with CAL 117 not only ensures consumer safety but also enhances the marketability of these products.

CAL 133: Stringent Fire Safety Standards for Public Furniture

Overview

While CAL 117 addresses the fire safety of residential upholstered furniture, CAL 133 sets more stringent requirements for furniture used in public places such as hotels, hospitals, and offices. This regulation focuses on the flammability of untreated filling materials and ensures that they meet higher fire safety standards compared to CAL 117.

Testing Methodology

The testing process for CAL 133 is more rigorous than that of CAL 117. It involves exposing the furniture to a larger flame source and assessing the overall fire resistance of the materials. This includes evaluating how the furniture reacts to an open flame, the spread of the fire, and the emission of smoke and toxic gases. The goal is to ensure that furniture used in public spaces offers the highest level of fire protection.

Implications for Public Spaces

Furniture used in public spaces must meet the stringent requirements of CAL 133 to ensure the safety of occupants. This includes seating in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other high-traffic areas. Compliance with CAL 133 ensures that these materials can withstand severe fire conditions, thereby reducing the risk of fire-related incidents in public places.

Compliance and Industry Impact

Ensuring Compliance

For manufacturers and suppliers of synthetic leather products, compliance with CAL 117 and CAL 133 is crucial. This requires investing in rigorous testing and certification processes to demonstrate that their materials meet the fire safety standards set by these regulations. Working closely with testing laboratories and regulatory agencies is essential to ensure that all products are compliant.

Benefits of Compliance

Compliance with CAL 117 and CAL 133 offers several benefits for manufacturers and consumers alike:

• Enhanced Safety: Ensuring that materials used in furniture and upholstery meet these standards significantly enhances fire safety, protecting consumers and property.
• Market Access: Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for selling upholstered furniture in California. Meeting these standards expands market opportunities and ensures access to a broader consumer base.
• Consumer Confidence: Adhering to stringent fire safety standards builds consumer trust and confidence in the safety and quality of the products.
  
  

Fire-Resistant Material Innovations for Upholstery: Additives, Coatings, and CAL Compliance

The furniture and upholstery industry continues to evolve as fire safety requirements become more demanding—especially for projects targeting the US market. In response, manufacturers are improving fire performance through two major technology paths: flame-retardant additives (built into the material structure) and fire-resistant surface coatings (applied as protective layers).

These innovations help synthetic leather and upholstery materials achieve more stable, repeatable performance in flammability testing, supporting compliance needs such as CAL 117 (TB117-2013) and, for certain contract environments, stricter standards like CAL 133. Beyond passing a test, the goal is practical: reducing ignition risk, slowing flame spread, and improving the overall resilience of upholstered furniture in high-traffic public spaces.

For buyers and specifiers, the key takeaway is that “fire-resistant” is no longer a single feature—it’s a combination of material design, additive system, coating strategy, and application conditions. Choosing the right solution depends on where the furniture will be used, the compliance target, and the durability requirements for daily maintenance.

✅ FAQ – CAL 117 & CAL 133 Fire Safety Standards for Upholstered Furniture

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1. What is CAL 117 (TB117-2013)?

CAL 117, officially known as California Technical Bulletin 117-2013, is a fire safety standard that evaluates the smolder resistance of materials used in upholstered furniture.

Unlike older flame tests, TB117-2013 focuses primarily on:

• Cigarette ignition resistance

• Controlled smoldering behavior

• Flammability of filling materials such as foam

It does not require the use of chemical flame retardants, provided the furniture passes the smolder test. Today, TB117-2013 is widely adopted across the United States and has effectively become the baseline upholstery fire safety standard.

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2. Is CAL 117 mandatory in the United States?

CAL 117 is legally mandatory for upholstered furniture sold in California, but because California represents a large portion of the US market, most manufacturers adopt TB117-2013 as a nationwide standard.

As a result:

• Most residential furniture in the US complies with CAL 117-2013

• Many retailers require proof of compliance even outside California

• It has become the default fire safety requirement for upholstered furniture

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3. What is CAL 133 and how is it different from CAL 117?

CAL 133 is a much stricter fire performance standard designed specifically for public and commercial environments, including:

• Hotels

• Hospitals

• Airports

• Offices

• Dormitories

• Public seating areas

Unlike CAL 117, which tests material components, CAL 133 evaluates the fire behavior of the entire furniture assembly, including:

• Upholstery cover

• Foam and padding

• Fabric backing

• Frame structure

It exposes furniture to a large open flame source, measuring:

• Heat release rate

• Flame spread

• Smoke density

• Overall fire growth

Because of this, CAL 133 compliance is far more demanding and costly.

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4. Does CAL 133 replace CAL 117?

No. The two standards serve different purposes.

• CAL 117 (TB117-2013)
  → Residential furniture and general upholstery materials

• CAL 133
  → Public, commercial, and contract furniture where fire risk is higher

Many public projects require both standards simultaneously:

• TB117-2013 for material compliance

• CAL 133 for full furniture fire performance

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5. Do synthetic leather materials need to comply with CAL 117 or CAL 133?

Yes.

Synthetic leather used for upholstery—such as PU leather, PVC leather, and microfiber leather—must meet the relevant fire standards depending on application:

• Residential furniture → CAL 117-2013

• Public or contract furniture → CAL 133 (if specified)

However, it’s important to understand:

Fire compliance applies to the complete upholstery system, not just the surface material.

Synthetic leather performance depends on:

• Surface coating formulation

• Backing material

• Flame-retardant additives

• Foam interaction

• Assembly method

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6. Can synthetic leather alone be certified as CAL 133 compliant?

In most cases, no.

CAL 133 testing is performed on a fully assembled furniture unit, not on raw materials alone. This means:

• Synthetic leather can be CAL 117 compliant as a material

• CAL 133 compliance must be verified after upholstery assembly

However, manufacturers often develop CAL-ready synthetic leather designed to support successful CAL 133 testing when combined with approved foam and structure.

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7. What types of synthetic leather are commonly used for CAL-compliant upholstery?

Common options include:

• Fire-retardant PU leather

• PVC leather with FR additives

• Microfiber leather with fire-resistant backing

• Custom laminated upholstery systems

These materials are engineered with:

• Flame-retardant additive systems

• Fire-resistant backings

• Optional top-coat protection layers

Material selection must always match the final application environment.

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8. How do flame-retardant additives and coatings improve fire performance?

Modern fire-resistant upholstery materials use two primary technologies:

1. Internal Flame-Retardant Additives

• Integrated into polymer structure

• Reduce ignition potential

• Slow heat release during combustion

2. Fire-Resistant Surface Coatings

• Act as thermal barriers

• Limit oxygen exposure

• Delay flame spread

When properly engineered, these systems help materials achieve stable, repeatable fire-test results, especially under CAL 117-2013 requirements.

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9. Does CAL 117 or CAL 133 require chemical flame retardants?

No—not necessarily.

Since the adoption of TB117-2013:

• Flame retardants are not mandatory

• Materials must simply pass smolder resistance testing

• Many manufacturers now use barrier fabrics or advanced coatings instead

This has allowed the industry to develop lower-VOC and more environmentally responsible upholstery solutions.

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10. Why do hotels and commercial projects often specify CAL 133?

Hotels and public spaces have:

• High occupancy

• Longer evacuation times

• Increased ignition risk

• Greater liability exposure

CAL 133 helps:

• Slow fire growth

• Reduce heat release

• Improve evacuation safety

• Meet insurance and code requirements

That’s why many hospitality brands specify CAL 133 in their FF&E documentation.

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11. How can buyers verify CAL 117 or CAL 133 compliance?

Always request:

• Official test reports from accredited laboratories

• Test standard clearly stated (TB117-2013 or CAL 133)

• Matching material description

• Test date and report number

Statements like “fire retardant available” are not sufficient proof of compliance.

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12. Can faux leather be custom-produced to meet CAL fire standards?

Yes.

Many manufacturers offer custom synthetic leather production that can be engineered to meet:

• CAL 117 (TB117-2013)

• CAL 133 (when used within approved furniture systems)

Customization may include:

• Fire-retardant coatings

• Specialized backing fabrics

• Foam compatibility testing

• Application-specific material design

Early technical coordination is critical for successful certification.

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13. Which standard should I choose for my project?

Always confirm with the project specification or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

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14. Why are CAL fire standards important for upholstery buyers?

Because they:

• Reduce fire risk

• Improve occupant safety

• Protect property and liability

• Enable legal market access in California

• Increase acceptance by global brands and hotels

Fire compliance is no longer optional—it is part of professional material selection.

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15. Can I combine fire resistance with durability and design?

Yes.

Modern synthetic leather technology allows manufacturers to combine:

• Fire resistance

• Abrasion resistance

• Easy cleaning

• Color stability

• Design flexibility

Fire safety no longer requires sacrificing appearance or comfort.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CAL 117 and CAL 133 are critical fire safety standards that play a vital role in regulating the flammability of upholstered furniture in the United States, particularly in California.

Compliance with these standards is essential for manufacturers and suppliers of synthetic leather products used in upholstery.

By ensuring that their products meet the rigorous requirements of CAL 117 and CAL 133, manufacturers can enhance consumer safety, expand market access, and build trust in their products.

As the industry continues to innovate, the focus on fire-resistant materials will drive growth and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers in residential and public spaces alike