Handily, household carpets in the UK are graded according to their durability: Light domestic – suitable for bedrooms. Medium domestic – suitable for dining rooms. General domestic – suitable for living rooms. Heavy domestic – suitable for stairs and hallways.

Fire Ratings The ASTM system classifies a carpet as Class 1 or Class 2, while the EN system is more stringent and detailed. With the EN system, letters A through F indicate how combustible the material is, with A being non-combustible to F being easily flammable.

1 Flammability Requirements for Carpet Used as Floor Covering. In institutional, health care, educational and penal occupancies, carpet shall meet a minimum value of 0.45 watts per square centimeter in all corridors and exits. Carpet in all other areas shall meet a minimum value of 0.22 watts per square centimeter.

Carpets are made from polyester fibers, or wool, or nylon — most often, these soft materials are loops or strings that form the carpet's "pile," and are attached to a solid backing. A carpet can be very densely woven and flat, or it can be tufted and thick.