Significance and Use
5.1 This test method provides a means to measure a variety of fire-test-response characteristics resulting from burning a specimen of upholstered furniture, both as manufactured and after vandalization to expose the padding. The upholstered furniture specimen (see Section 6) is allowed to burn freely under well-ventilated conditions after ignition using a propane gas burner. The most important fire-test-response characteristic measured is the rate of heat release, which quantifies the intensity of the fire generated.
5.2 The rate of heat release is measured by the principle of oxygen consumption, based on the measurement of oxygen concentration in the exhaust duct. The assumptions and limitations of oxygen depletion calorimetry are discussed in Practice E2067.
5.3 The mass loss of the test specimen is measured continuously during the test using a load cell.
5.4 Other fire-test-response characteristics are optionally measured, namely smoke obscuration and the release of other combustion gases, as they are also potentially important in making decisions on fire safety.
5.5 The type of ignition chosen (a flaming source) is common in both accidental and intentional fires in public occupancies. This test method is thus applicable to upholstered furniture in public occupancies. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, correctional facilities, as well as nursing care homes, health care facilities, public auditoriums, hotels, and motels.
5.6 It has been shown that if the gas burner for this test method is used at a flow rate of 13 L/min for 80 s (equivalent to 19.3 kW), it approximates the ignition propensity of five crumpled sheets of newspaper located on the seating cushion.4
5.7 This test method is not applicable to the ignition of upholstered furniture by cigarettes.
5.8 The test configuration to be used in this test method is an open calorimeter (or furniture calorimeter).
5.9 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions, such as the ignition source type or duration of application, are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test method to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
Scope
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the burning behavior of upholstered furniture used in public occupancies, such as detention and correctional, behavioral, and other confinement facilities, when it has been vandalized to expose the padding.
1.3 In this test method, a standardized vandalization method is applied to the upholstered furniture item and the results of exposing the furniture item to a standardized specified flaming ignition source under well-ventilated conditions are compared to those associated with the same item, in an unvandalized form, as tested using Test Method E1537.
1.3.1 This test method is applicable to upholstered furniture and is not applicable to seating furniture that is not upholstered.
1.4 The specific fire-test response characteristics to be measured are heat release and mass loss.
1.5 Data are obtained describing the burning behavior from a specific ignition source until all burning has ceased, a period of 1 h has elapsed, or flashover appears inevitable.
1.6 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of upholstered furniture in fire conditions other than those conditions specified. In particular, this test method does not apply to smoldering ignition by cigarettes.
1.7 The rate of heat release of the burning specimen is measured by an oxygen consumption method. See Practice E2067 for further information.
1.8 The burning behavior is visually documented by photographic or video recordings, whenever possible.
1.9 The system of units to be used in referee decisions is the SI system of units, see IEEE/ASTM SI-10 for further details. The units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.13 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
