When it comes to mattress fire testing, one size does NOT fit all. With multiple regulations in place, it can be confusing to know what is required for a given situation.
The various test standards are based on scientific methods to characterize the potential level of danger a burning mattress may present to people and property. What test (or tests) apply in a specific scenario is a bit more of an art form. Some areas are fairly cut and dried, for example consumer mattresses must be evaluated to CPSC 16 CFR 1632 and 1633 methods. Medical and hospitality mattresses can be more dubious: is the product intended strictly for institutional/ public occupancy or could the products be available for in home use?
In this presentation we will review the primary fire tests applicable in the United States and discuss common questions/misconceptions surrounding this topic, including:
- Can we as an independent lab offer design recommendations?
- If I pass the 1633 fire test, is it safe to assume that I will pass the 1632 cigarette test? Would I still have to pass the California TB 129 test?
- Do I need to retest if I am considering a component change?
- Is there a component level test that will help predict full scale test results?
Why Mattress Fire Testing is 50% Science and 50% Art
1. Why Mattress Fire Testing is
50% Science and 50% Art
Brent L. Larson, Project Manager
Element Materials Technology, St. Paul, MN
April 25, 2012 www.element.com
2. Things To Keep In Mind
• If you are disconnected during the presentation
• You should be able to log right back in.
• Questions
• The system is set up for you to text questions at anytime during the presentation,
but they will not be addressed until the end (to better maintain continuity).
4. Copies of the presentation
• A recording will be made of the presentation and made available on our website in
the near future at: www.element.com. You will be notified by email when it is available
for viewing.
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3. Overview
1. Review of Test Procedures (presented in historical order)
• CPSC CFR 1632 - 1973
• CA TB 121 - 1980
• CA TB 129 - 1992
• BOSTON IX-11 - 1993
• CPSC CFR 1633 - 2007
2. To Test or Not to Test, That is the Question!
3. Wrap Up
4. Questions From Attendees
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4. CPSC CFR 1632 Cigarette Test
• “STANDARD FOR THE FLAMMABILITY OF MATTRESSES AND
MATTRESS PADS (FF 4–72, AMENDED)”
• Application: to determine the ignition resistance of a mattress or a
mattress pad when exposed to a lighted cigarette (prior to being
introduced into commerce)
– Ticking materials substitution test
– Tape edge materials substitution test
• Ignition Source: non-filtered cigarettes (currently NIST 1196)
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5. CPSC CFR 1632 (Mattress/Mattress Pad Test)
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6. CPSC CFR 1632 (Mattress/Mattress Pad Test)
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Char cannot exceed 2 inches in any direction (including down into the
mattress) from the nearest edge of the cigarette
• Obvious ignition
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8. CPSC CFR 1632 (Ticking Substitution Test)
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Char cannot exceed 1 inch in any direction from the nearest edge of
the cigarette
• Cotton felt is not ignited
• If a tick or quilted tick passes while tested directly over the cotton felt, it
is a “class A” tick (meaning it is resistant to combustion)
• If a tick/quilted tick fails directly over the cotton felt, but passes when
re-tested with the ¼” polyfoam in place, it is a “class B” tick (meaning it
is neutral to combustion)
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10. CPSC CFR 1632 (Tape Edge Substitution Test)
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Char cannot exceed 2 inches in any direction (including down into the
mattress) from the nearest edge of the cigarette
• Obvious ignition
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11. California TB 121
• “Flammability Test Procedure for Mattresses For Use In High Risk
Occupancies”
• Application: HIGH RISK occupancies-might include, but are not limited
to, jails, prisons, penal institutions, correctional facilities, juvenile
detention centers, nursing homes, and health care facilities.
• Ignition Source: Wadded Newspaper
• Non-calorimetry test
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13. California TB 121
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Greater than 10% mass loss in the 1st 10 minutes
• Temperature 1 inch below the ceiling of 500 ºF or greater
• Carbon monoxide level exceeds 1,000 ppm
Note: no heat release criteria
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14. California TB 129
• “Flammability Test Procedure For Mattresses For Use In Public
Buildings”
• Application: health care facilities, retirement, convalescent and board
and care homes, college dormitories and residence halls
• Ignition source: propane burner (with dual jets)
– Application time: 3 minutes
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16. California TB 129 (setup without foundation)
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17. California TB 129
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Peak rate of heat release of less than 100 kW in 60 minutes
• Total heat released at 10 minutes less than 25 MJ
• Mass loss due to combustion at 10 minutes less than 3 lbs
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18. Boston Fire Department
• Boston IX-11 Mattress Fire Test
• Application: health care facilities, hotels and dormitories
• Ignition Source: “bed clothing” (sheets, blanket and pillow)
– Bed cloths are initially ignited by use of a hand held butane lighter
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20. Boston Fire Department
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Peak rate of heat release of less than or equal to 150 kW in 30 minutes
• Total heat released at 10 minutes less than or equal to 30 MJ
• Mass loss due to combustion must be less than or equal to the weight
of the bed cloths
• NOTE: the above published criteria not withstanding, the Boston Fire
Department reserves the sole right to declare if a mattress design has
passed the test
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21. CPSC CFR 1633 Open Flame Test
• Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets; Final
Rule
• Application: The requirements of this part 1633 shall apply to each
‘‘manufacturer’’ of mattress sets which are manufactured for sale in
commerce.
• Ignition Source: dual propane burners (top and side of mattress or
mattress set)
– Application time:
• 70 seconds for top burner
• 50 seconds for side burner
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22. CPSC CFR 1633 Open Flame Test
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23. CPSC CFR 1633 Open Flame Test
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24. CPSC CFR 1633 Open Flame Test
Pass/Fail Criteria
• Peak rate of heat release of less or equal to 200 kW in 30 minutes
• Total heat released at 10 minutes less than or equal to 15 MJ
• 3 consecutive mattresses (and/or mattress sets) must pass the above
criteria to qualify a prototype design
• 1 mattress (and/or mattress set) must pass the above criteria for a
“confirmation” test
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26. Are All of These Tests Required
(or even necessary)?
• The short answers are: YES and TBD
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27. Minimum Requirements to Sell in the US
• Most mattresses sold on the open US market will require 1632/1633
testing
– 1632/1633: two sides of the same coin
• NOT with the scope of 1632/1633
– Motor Vehicles
– Boats
– Medical Devices
• “One of a Kind” mattresses may be exempted
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28. Minimum Requirements to Sell in the US
• Will the 1632 cigarette test be phased out?
• Not likely anytime soon.
– WHY?
• lack of data
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29. Minimum Requirements to Sell in California
• CPSC 1632/1633
• Additionally: California TB 129 if the mattresses are intended for public
occupancy (hotels, dormitories, etc.)
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30. 1633 / TB 129 Comparison
TEST 1633 TB 129
Pass/Fail - Peak Rate of Heat
200 kW 100 kW
Release:
Pass/Fail - Total Heat @ 10 min: 15 MJ 25 MJ
Pass/Fail: Mass Loss: n/a 3 lbs
propane burners propane burner
Ignition Source:
top & side (side of bed, dual jets)
Application Time: 70 sec/50 sec 3 minutes
Test Duration: 30 minutes 60 minutes
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31. Minimum Requirements to Sell in Boston, MA
• CPSC 1632/1633
• Additionally: Boston IX-11 if the mattresses are intended for public
occupancy (hotels, dormitories, etc.)
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32. 1633 / Boston IX-11 Comparison
TEST 1633 Boston IX-11
Pass/Fail - Peak Rate of Heat
200 kW 150 kW*
Release:
Pass/Fail - Total Heat @ 10 min: 15 MJ 30 MJ*
Pass/Fail: Mass Loss: n/a weight of bed cloths*
bed cloths
propane burners
Ignition Source: (sheets, blanket,
top & side
pillow)
Application Time: 70 sec/50 sec n/a
Test Duration: 30 minutes 30 minutes
*Pass/Fail ultimately determined by the Boston Fire Department
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33. Wrap Up: Common Questions
• Does passing one of these tests gauge performance to any of the
others?
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34. Wrap Up: Common Questions
Boston
TEST TB 121 TB 129 1633
IX-11
Pass/Fail - Peak Rate of Heat
n/a 100 kW 150 kW* 200 kW
Release:
Pass/Fail - Total Heat @ 10 min: n/a 25 MJ 30 MJ* 15 MJ
Over 10% weight of bed
Pass/Fail: Mass Loss: 3 lbs @ 10 min n/a
@ 10 min cloths*
propane burner bed cloths
Wadded propane burners
Ignition Source: (side of bed, dual (sheets, blanket,
newspaper top & side
jets) pillow)
Application Time: n/a 3 minutes n/a 70 sec/50 sec
Test Duration: 60 minutes** 60 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes
*Pass/Fail ultimately determined by the Boston Fire Department
** time limit not specifically listed in TB 121
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35. Wrap Up: Common Questions
• Do I need to retest if I am considering a component change?
– It depends
• Is there reason to believe the overall FR performance of the mattress could be
altered?
• How much testing have you conducted previously?
• Is the new component fairly similar to an existing material?
• What is an “objectively reasonable basis”??
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36. Wrap Up: Common Questions
• Is there a component level test that will help predict full scale test
results?
– To date there is not (at least in a public forum).
– That said, component testing can still be of value for quality assurance
applications.
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37. Wrap Up: Common Questions
• Can we as an independent lab offer design recommendations?
– Conflict of interest
– We can offer assistance with the basics of a testing program, but not
specific product design
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38. To Get More Information
• MY CONTACT INFO
Phone: 651 659 7218
Cell: 651 248 8847
Email: brent.larson@element.com
Website: www.element.com
Connect to me on LinkedIn
• I will soon be starting a blog to continue the discussion
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