Bailey of Bristol and FIRA have joined forces to develop a new caravan quality standard.

FIRA is the UK’s leading Furniture Technology Centre and is responsible for the development of internationally recognised testing programmes for both domestic and commercial furniture. The two companies have been working together for the past eighteen months during which time FIRA has examined a number of Bailey caravan components.

These have included the fatigue testing of the upholstery cushions which after receiving a constant load pounding achieved a ‘severe’ rating. This puts them on a par with the materials used in private and commercial vehicle seats and the backrests and armrests in public transport and cinema seats. More recently Bailey also asked for the new floating fascia lockers and concealed latches to undergo a similar examination prior to installation in the Pageant Series 7 range. The components underwent an open/close fatigue test to 5000 cycles and a slam shut test to 50 cycles both of which it passed. 

Following this successful collaboration between the two organisations, Bailey has looked to expand the scope of FIRA operation and asked them to develop a quality standard to cover the entire caravan.

The resulting Product Certification Scheme for Leisure Accommodation Vehicles is the ultimate mark of product excellence from FIRA. Achieving this prestigious honour shows that a product has been completely evaluated for fitness for purpose, quality and workmanship.

The models from the Ranger Series 6 and Ranger GT60 Series product ranges are the first UK caravans to receive this new Gold Award and the testing process has now begun on the other ranges in the Bailey portfolio.

In order to gain accreditation, the caravans have passed over 30 separate furniture industry tests relating to the following areas of construction: ergonomics, workmanship, structural strength, performance, installation procedures and moisture/humidity/temperature resistance.

It should be noted that the new FIRA certification scheme has been developed to complement the existing NCC type approval programme. The latter focuses primarily on the health and safety elements of caravan design whereas the FIRA Gold Award concentrates on the ergonomic and durability aspects. Together they represent one of the most rigorous pre-production testing regimes for a UK caravan.

Story By: Bailey Caravans

Date : 23-09-2008