ASTM E2574/E2574M-17

Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of School Bus Seat Assemblies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 In this test method fire test response characteristics of a school bus seat assembly are assessed following ignition by a square gas burner.  
5.2 This test method is similar in concept to a fire test currently used, and which has been in such use for many years, as the industry standard for flammability testing of school bus seats (see Appendix X1). However, in this test method the paper bag has been replaced by a gas burner as the ignition source.  
5.3 The US federal government has issued a flammability test applicable to interior materials in road vehicles, FMVSS 302. FMVSS 302 remains the only regulatory test for assessing fire-test-response characteristics of school bus seats.  
5.4 ASTM has issued Test Method D5132 in order to provide a more standardized way of conducting FMVSS 302.  
5.5 The test method described in this document provides a significantly higher challenge to school bus seats than the FMVSS 302 federal regulatory test. Therefore, any seat assembly that performs acceptably in this test is likely to meet the requirements of FMVSS 302.  
5.6 It is clear that those seat assemblies that exhibit little or no flame spread, short times to flame extinction and little mass loss in this test are likely to exhibit improved performance in an actual fire situation compared to seat assemblies that burn vigorously and have high mass loss.  
5.7 This test is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to these fire conditions, will become fully involved in fire from other products that will not.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.  
1.2 This test method assesses the burning behavior of upholstered seating used in school buses by measuring specific fire-test responses when a school bus seat specimen is subjected to a specified flaming ignition source under normally ventilated conditions.  
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner.  
1.4 This fire test is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to an ignition source, will become fully involved in fire from other products that will not.  
1.5 Data are obtained describing the burning behavior of the seat assemblies from a specific ignition source until all burning has ceased.  
1.6 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of upholstered seating in fire conditions other than those conditions specified.  
1.7 The burning behavior is visually documented by photographic or video recordings, whenever possible.  
1.8 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.9 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.  
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
1.11 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.12 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2017
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 43.040.60 - Bodies and body components
• ICS: 43.080.20 - Buses
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.17 - Transportation

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2574/E2574M − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Fire Testing of School Bus Seat Assemblies
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2574/E2574M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method assesses the burning behavior of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
upholstered seating used in school buses by measuring specific
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
fire-test responses when a school bus seat specimen is sub-
1.12 This international standard was developed in accor-
jected to a specified flaming ignition source under normally
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ventilated conditions.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner. Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.4 This fire test is primarily useful to distinguish products
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
that, when exposed to an ignition source, will become fully
involved in fire from other products that will not.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 Dataareobtaineddescribingtheburningbehaviorofthe 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
seat assemblies from a specific ignition source until all burning
D5132 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Rate of Poly-
has ceased.
meric Materials Used in Occupant Compartments of
Motor Vehicles
1.6 This test method does not provide information on the
fire performance of upholstered seating in fire conditions other E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furni-
than those conditions specified.
ture
1.7 The burning behavior is visually documented by photo-
E1590 Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses
graphic or video recordings, whenever possible.
E2061 Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transpor-
1.8 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
tation Vehicles
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calo-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
rimetry Fire Tests
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
E2257 Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Materials and Assemblies
with the standard.
F1550 TestMethodforDeterminationofFire-Test-Response
Characteristics of Components or Composites of Mat-
1.9 This standard is used to measure and describe the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and tresses or Furniture for Use in Correctional Facilities after
Exposure to Vandalism, by Employing a Bench Scale
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric
assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under
Practice
actual fire conditions.
3
2.2 National Safety Council Standard:
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
School bus seat upholstery fire block test, approved by the
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
National Conference on School Transportation as part of
conducting these tests.
the National Standards for School Buses and National
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.17 on Transporta- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tion. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved July 1, 2017. Published July 2017. Originally approved the ASTM website.
3
in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2574/E2574M–12a. DOI: Available from National Safety Council (NSC), 1121 Spring Lake Dr., Itasca,
10.1520/E2574_E2574M-17. IL 60143-3201, http://www.nsc.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2574/E2574M − 17
Standards for School Bus Operations 5
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2574/E2574M − 12a E2574/E2574M − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Fire Testing of School Bus Seat Assemblies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2574/E2574M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method assesses the burning behavior of upholstered seating used in school buses by measuring specific fire-test
responses when a school bus seat specimen is subjected to a specified flaming ignition source under normally ventilated conditions.
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner.
1.4 This fire test is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to an ignition source, will become fully involved
in fire from other products that will not.
1.5 Data are obtained describing the burning behavior of the seat assemblies from a specific ignition source until all burning
has ceased.
1.6 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of upholstered seating in fire conditions other than
those conditions specified.
1.7 The burning behavior is visually documented by photographic or video recordings, whenever possible.
1.8 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.9 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.
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting
these tests.
1.11 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.12 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5132 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Rate of Polymeric Materials Used in Occupant Compartments of Motor Vehicles
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture
E1590 Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses
E2061 Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests
E2257 Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling Materials and Assemblies
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.17 on Transportation.
Current edition approved July 1, 2012July 1, 2017. Published August 2012July 2017. Originally approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as
E2574/E2574M–12.–12a. DOI: 10.1520/E2574_E2574M-12A.10.1520/E2574_E2574M-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2574/E2574M − 17
F1550 Test Method for Determination of Fire-Test-Response Characteristics of Components or Composites of Mattresses or
Furniture for Use in Correctional Facilities after Exposure to Vandalism, by Employing a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption
Calorimeter
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric Practice
...