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Meeting upholstery fire regulations

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Hotel Designs and Edmund Bell discuss how hotel interior designers can meet the global challenges around fire regulations without sacrificing on style…

Guide to Hotel Design

In hotel interior design, choosing the right upholstery fabrics is nothing short of an art. Upholstery fabrics not only determine the overall style and comfort of a space but also need to adhere to fire regulations that vary across the globe. Edmund Bell, a venerable name in the textile industry for more than 150 years, stands out as a champion in this field, offering a diverse range of fabrics that combine aesthetic excellence with stringent safety standards.

The company’s legacy of textile manufacturing spans more than a century and a half, and it’s this wealth of experience that underpins their commitment to quality and innovation. Edmund Bell has consistently been at the forefront of fabric design, and their range of upholstery fabrics covers an impressive spectrum of styles, textures, and colours. These fabrics are not just beautiful; they’re built to withstand the rigours of daily use, making them an ideal choice for the demanding hospitality industry.

A render of a large luxury bed in grey, concrete room

Image credit: Edmund Bell

Meeting the global challenge of fire regulations

Hotel interior design is a realm where safety can never be compromised. Yet, navigating the labyrinth of fire regulations, which differ from country to country and sometimes from region to region, can be perplexing for hoteliers. Fire-resistant fabrics are crucial to ensuring guest safety in the event of a fire, but the standards governing these fabrics are far from uniform around the world.

Edmund Bell recognised the pressing need for a consistent, reliable, and globally applicable solution. In response, it has invested substantially in the development of an extensive line of fire-resistant upholstery fabrics and finishes. These fabrics have been meticulously crafted to meet, and often exceed, the strictest fire regulations worldwide.

The company has its own fabric finishing mill dedicated to applying fire-resistant (FR) coatings to their upholstery fabrics. This in-house capability gives the team unparalleled control over the entire manufacturing process, from the selection of base fabrics to the final application of fire-resistant finishes.

Inside the Edmund Bell factory

Image credit: Edmund Bell

This vertical integration not only allows for a high degree of quality assurance but also enables the company to maintain competitive pricing. It ensures that every yard of fabric leaving their mill is crafted to meet its rigorous safety and aesthetic standards.

Edmund Bell’s upholstery fabrics are rigorously tested to ensure compliance with various international standards, such as the British Standard (BS), European Norm (EN), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fabrics are designed to inhibit the spread of flames and the release of harmful smoke and toxic gases, a pivotal feature in upholding guest safety.

Hotels that operate across borders and regions face a formidable challenge: adhering to different fire regulations in different locations. This is where Edmund Bell’s fire-resistant fabrics shine. Its products and fabric FR finishes are designed to be globally applicable, offering the peace of mind that comes from a consistent, high quality solution regardless of where your hotel is located.

Edmund Bell’s fire-resistant upholstery fabrics have found their place in hotels across the globe, from the UK and Europe to North America, the Middle East, and Asia. This global presence is a testament to the brand’s dedication to providing a product that consistently meets the diverse regulatory requirements encountered in the hospitality industry.

Bounce Upholstery sofa in calm room

Image credit: Edmund Bell

Customisation and aesthetics

Edmund Bell understands that while safety is paramount, aesthetics remain central in hotel interior design. Its fire-resistant fabrics come in an array of colours, patterns, and textures, giving interior designers the creative freedom to align with the hotel’s unique style and ambiance without compromising safety.

Moreover, the brand’s offers a high degree of customisation. Its team work closely with interior designers to craft solutions that seamlessly blend with the hotel’s design concept. This flexibility ensures that the fire-resistant upholstery fabrics do not just meet safety standards but also become an integral part of the overall design narrative.

In the world of hotel design, choosing the right upholstery fabrics is no longer a matter of compromise. With Edmund Bell’s fire-resistant upholstery fabrics, safety and style harmoniously coexist, ensuring that hoteliers can prioritise guest safety while maintaining the individuality and creativity that defines their interior spaces.

Edmund Bell is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Edmund Bell

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Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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