ASTM F3431-21

Standard Specification for Determining Flammability of Materials for Recreational Camping Tents and Warning Labels for Associated Hazards

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers requirements and contains test methods for outdoor recreational camping tents for persons. These requirements include controlled small flame test methods for materials used to manufacture tents. The requirements are intended to specify materials that do not present an unreasonable risk of flammability and injury to occupants.  
1.2 This specification does not apply to products intended for indoor use only, products that are not intended to shelter people, products used principally for commercial purposes only, or products subject to the requirements of the NFPA Fire Code (NFPA 1), NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), or the International Fire Code, as adopted by certain U.S. states. Additional articles not covered by this specification are:  
1.2.1 Baby boat with sunshade;  
1.2.2 Bivouac sack;  
1.2.3 Car port;  
1.2.4 Children’s indoor play tent, toy tent, toy bed canopy, and similar products;  
1.2.5 Garden green house;  
1.2.6 Hammock, hammock with insect nets, hammock with shades, hammock shelter, and similar products;  
1.2.7 Packaging material, such as tent bags, pole bags, bivouac sacks, stake bags, carrying bags or rope, shock cord, or cordage material used for anchoring;  
1.2.8 Tarp cover;  
1.2.9 Sun or beach umbrella with or without a sidewall; and  
1.2.10 Other similar items that are not primarily designed to provide shelter to persons for outdoor use, which do not have sides which are fully enclosed to the ground, and which do not have limited means of egress.  
1.3 This performance specification relies on test methods from (established) consensus flammability test standards for outdoor recreational camping tents, specifically Sections 2-5 of CAN/CGSB-182.1.  
1.4 This consumer safety specification is intended to deal with reasonably foreseeable use and misuse of the products. This consumer safety specification does not apply to products that are blatantly misused, nor does it apply to products used by consumers in a careless manner that violate normal practice or disregard the instructions or warnings provided with the product or both.  
1.5 This specification 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.  
1.6 This specification is used to predict or provide a quantitative measure of the fire hazard from a specified set of fire conditions involving specific materials, products, or assemblies. This assessment does not necessarily predict the hazard of actual fires that involve conditions other than those assumed in the analysis.  
1.7 This specification is used to establish a means of combining the potential for harm in fire scenarios with the probabilities of occurrence of those scenarios. Assessment of fire risk using this specification depends on many factors, including the manner in which the user selects scenarios and uses them to represent all scenarios relevant to the application. This specification cannot be used to assess fire risk if any conditions are different from those contained in this specification.  
1.8 This specification revises CPAI-84, Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage as it relates to recreational camping tents.2  
1.9 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.10 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.  
1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized prin...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2021
• ICS: 97.200.30 - Camping equipment and camp-sites
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.22 - Camping Softgoods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F2441-12 - Standard Practice for Labeling of Backpacking and Mountaineering Tents and Bivouac Sacks
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2441-05 - Standard Practice for Labeling of Backpacking and Mountaineering Tents and Bivouac Sacks
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005

Overview

ASTM F3431-21: Standard Specification for Determining Flammability of Materials for Recreational Camping Tents and Warning Labels for Associated Hazards establishes performance requirements and test methods for evaluating the flammability of materials used in outdoor recreational camping tents. This standard is designed to ensure that tent materials do not present unreasonable flammability risks, thereby minimizing potential injury to occupants. The specification applies specifically to products intended for outdoor use as portable shelters for people, incorporating both testing and labeling requirements for fire safety.

Key Topics

• Scope
  The standard covers only outdoor recreational camping tents intended to shelter people, excluding commercial products, shelters not designed for people, products subject to fire codes (e.g., NFPA 1, NFPA 101, International Fire Code), and certain tent-like items such as tarps, car ports, hammocks, and children’s indoor play tents.

• Flammability Testing

  • Uses controlled small flame test methods adapted from established flammability standards.
  • Materials are tested "as received," after leaching, and after weathering to replicate real-world conditions.
  • Relies on Sections 2-5 of CAN/CGSB-182.1 for test procedures.

• Exemptions and Criteria

  • Only applies to tent fabric/components with a surface area over 1000 cm².
  • “No-see-um” mesh weighing 50 g/m² or less is exempt from testing.
  • Components unchanged since previous compliant testing may qualify via component testing.

• Warning Labels

  • Specifies labeling requirements for tents regarding fire hazards using ANSI Z535.4 and Practice F2441.
  • Labels must be clearly visible and warning statements must conform to established safety communication standards.

• Risk Assessment

  • Addresses reasonably foreseeable use and misuse but does not account for all possible fire scenarios or outright misuse.
  • Provides a framework to assess potential harm and probabilities in specific fire situations.

Applications

• Tent Manufacturers
  ASTM F3431-21 is directly applicable to manufacturers of consumer outdoor camping tents, enabling them to certify products for fire safety and regulatory compliance.

• Retailers and Importers

  • Assists distributors and retailers in verifying that camping tents meet recognized safety standards, reducing liability and enhancing consumer assurance.

• Safety and Regulatory Agencies

  • Offers a benchmark for regulatory inspection and enforcement.
  • Informs consumer protection authorities on injury risk and incident tracking.

• Consumers
  Provides assurance that the camping tents they purchase meet stringent material and labeling standards for fire resistance.

• Product Developers

  • Supports the use and development of advanced synthetic tent materials, facilitating innovation in lightweight and safe shelter solutions.

Related Standards

• CPAI-84: Predecessor specification for flame-resistant camping tent materials; ASTM F3431-21 is an update and revision to reflect modern materials and technologies.
• CAN/CGSB-182.1: Canadian standard providing flammability and labeling requirements for tents; test methods from this standard form the basis of ASTM F3431-21's testing procedures.
• ANSI Z535.4: Standard for construction of safety labels, referenced for tent warning labels.
• NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and International Fire Code: National and international fire codes cited for understanding additional regulatory environments but not within ASTM F3431-21’s scope.
• ASTM F2441: Standard Practice for Labeling of Backpacking and Mountaineering Tents, providing additional guidance for tent warnings and labels.

Practical Value

The adoption of ASTM F3431-21 enhances outdoor safety by reducing the risk of tent fires and associated injuries, ensuring clear communication of hazards, and promoting the use of advanced, fire-resistant materials. By aligning with internationally recognized test methods and labeling requirements, this standard supports consumer confidence, industry innovation, and regulatory compliance for recreational camping tents.

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation:F3431 −21
Standard Specification for
Determining Flammability of Materials for Recreational
Camping Tents and Warning Labels for Associated Hazards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3431; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This specification establishes material performance requirements and test methods to evaluate the
flammability of recreational camping tents when exposed to a flame under three conditions (as
received, after leaching, and after weathering).
Thisspecificationalsoincorporatesprecautionarywarningsforfiresafetyandotherrisksassociated
with camping.
1. Scope 1.2.10 Other similar items that are not primarily designed to
provide shelter to persons for outdoor use, which do not have
1.1 This specification covers requirements and contains test
sides which are fully enclosed to the ground, and which do not
methods for outdoor recreational camping tents for persons.
have limited means of egress.
These requirements include controlled small flame test meth-
ods for materials used to manufacture tents. The requirements
1.3 This performance specification relies on test methods
are intended to specify materials that do not present an
from (established) consensus flammability test standards for
unreasonable risk of flammability and injury to occupants.
outdoorrecreationalcampingtents,specificallySections2-5of
1.2 This specification does not apply to products intended CAN/CGSB-182.1.
for indoor use only, products that are not intended to shelter
1.4 This consumer safety specification is intended to deal
people, products used principally for commercial purposes
with reasonably foreseeable use and misuse of the products.
only, or products subject to the requirements of the NFPAFire
This consumer safety specification does not apply to products
Code (NFPA 1), NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), or the
thatareblatantlymisused,nordoesitapplytoproductsusedby
International Fire Code, as adopted by certain U.S. states.
consumers in a careless manner that violate normal practice or
Additional articles not covered by this specification are:
disregard the instructions or warnings provided with the
1.2.1 Baby boat with sunshade;
product or both.
1.2.2 Bivouac sack;
1.2.3 Car port;
1.5 This specification is used to measure and describe the
1.2.4 Children’s indoor play tent, toy tent, toy bed canopy,
responseofmaterials,products,orassembliestoheatandflame
and similar products;
under controlled conditions but does not by itself incorporate
1.2.5 Garden green house;
all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
1.2.6 Hammock, hammock with insect nets, hammock with
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
shades, hammock shelter, and similar products;
1.6 This specification is used to predict or provide a
1.2.7 Packaging material, such as tent bags, pole bags,
quantitative measure of the fire hazard from a specified set of
bivouacsacks,stakebags,carryingbagsorrope,shockcord,or
fireconditionsinvolvingspecificmaterials,products,orassem-
cordage material used for anchoring;
blies. This assessment does not necessarily predict the hazard
1.2.8 Tarp cover;
of actual fires that involve conditions other than those assumed
1.2.9 Sun or beach umbrella with or without a sidewall; and
in the analysis.
1.7 This specification is used to establish a means of
combining the potential for harm in fire scenarios with the
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
probabilities of occurrence of those scenarios. Assessment of
Subcommittee F08.22 on Camping Softgoods.
fire risk using this specification depends on many factors,
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally
including the manner in which the user selects scenarios and
approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as F3431 – 20. DOI:
10.1520/F3431-21. uses them to represent all scenarios relevant to the application.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3431−21
This specification cannot be used to assess fire risk if any 3.1.2 tent, n—portable temporary shelter for persons in-
conditions are different from those contained in this specifica- tended for outdoor use as protection from environmental
tion. elements, made of fabric and other pliable materials the sides
of which are fully enclosed to the ground, and which has
1.8 This specification revises CPAI-84, Specification for
structuralelementsthatcreateacontrolledmethodforegressof
Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage as it
the structure such as doors, flaps, walls, or similar elements.
relates to recreational camping tents.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In the event of a fire to a recreational
1.9 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
camping tent, an individual’s safest immediate course of action
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
is to exit the burning tent as quickly as possible. A canopy
this standard.
without sidewalls or doors would likely not restrict a tent’s
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the occupant(s) ability to escape the interior of a tent in the event
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of a fire.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Purpose
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.1 This specification sets forth revised and updated test
methods for recreational camping tents in recognition of the
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- variety of new materials and technologies used to manufacture
modern tents of mostly synthetic materials since the CPAI-84
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- standard was developed in 1972 and last updated in 1995.
Appendix X3 includes summaries of newly available global,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. comparative injury surveillance data for tent flammability
strongly suggesting that the change in the design and manu-
2. Referenced Documents
facturing of tents to use these mostly synthetic materials has
ledtoafurtherreductioninwhathadpreviouslybeenobserved
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to be a low incidence rate of fires and associated injuries with
F2441 Practice for Labeling of Backpacking and Mountain-
recreational camping tents.
eering Tents and Bivouac Sacks
2.2 NFPA Standards:
4.2 This specification also incorporates by reference Prac-
NFPA 1 Fire Code
tice F2441 which specifies warnings and labels that shall be
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
added to tents to inform users of the risk of fires and of other
2.3 Other Standards: commonly recognized hazards involving tents in outdoor
ANSI Z535.4 Safety Labels Construction consumer recreational camping.
CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and labelling requirements
5. Flammability Requirements and Test Methods
for tents
5.1 Tents which are marketed as acceptable for the use of
CPAI-84 ASpecificationforFlame-ResistantMaterialsUsed
camping appliances within them shall be evaluated to and
in Camping Tentage
comply with the test methods set forth in sections 2-5 of
IFC International Fire Code
CAN/CGSB-182.1 described in this standard.
3. Terminology
5.1.1 Permission for use has been granted by the Canadian
General Standards Board (CGSB) and the test standard is
3.1 Definitions:
available to the public for free at the CGSB website or upon
3.1.1 camping appliance, n—device typically used to cook
request.
or heat and powered by gas, wood, or another solid state fuel.
5.2 Testing Scope:
5.2.1 Size Criteria—Each fabric or other pliable tent mate-
ASTM International owns the rights to CPAI-84, A Specification for Flame-
rial in a consumer tent with a surface area greater than 1000
Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage, having purchased the rights to the
standard from the Industrial FabricsAssociation International (formerly the Canvas cm , based on a length by width measurement, is evaluated
ProductsAssociatedInternational,orCPAI).TheCPAI-84standardwaslastupdated
according to the test method described in this standard.
in 1995.
5.2.2 Tent Components orAccessories—Tentcomponentsor
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
accessories made of fabric or other pliable material, and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
intended to be used with the tent, such as side panels, curtains,
the ASTM website.
and flies, whether sold with the tent or sold separately, are
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
subject to the flammability requirements (but not the labelling
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
requirements) if they meet the size criteria.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
6 5.3 Testing Exemptions:
AvailablefromSalesCentreCanadianGeneralStandardsBoard,11LaurierSt.,
5.3.1 Size Criteria—Each fabric or other pliable tent mate-
Gatineau, Canada K1A 1G6 and at https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/
boutique-store-eng.html.
rial with a surface area equal to or less than 1000 cm , based
Available from www.ifai.com at https://www.ifai.com/nf_inventory_category/
on a length by width measurement, is not required to be
specifications/.
evaluated according to the test method described in this
Available from International Code Council (ICC), 500 New Jersey Ave., NW,
6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, http://www.iccsafe.org. specification.
F3431−21
5.3.2 Composition—“No-see-um”-type netting or mesh ma- 6.2 Tents which are not marketed as acceptable for the use
terials weighing 50g/m or less are exempted from the testing of camping appliances within them shall be labeled in accor-
requirements of this specification (from existing CPAI-84).
dance with the appropriate warning set forth in Practice F2441.
5.4 Component Testing—Materials that have passed the test
6.3 The size of the tent label shall be large enough so that
methods in 5.1 in previous testing and for which no material
the font and images are drafted in accordance with ANSI
changes are known to have occurred shall be deemed to be
Z535.4.
compliant through the use of so-called component testing.
7. Keywords
6. Product Marking
7.1 camping; camping appliance; flame retardants; flamma-
6.1 Tents which are marketed as acceptable for the use of
bility; recreational; tents
camping appliances within them shall be labeled in accordance
with the appropriate warning set forth in Practice F2441.
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. RATIONALE FOR 2019 REVISIONS
X1.1 The product category exclusions of 1.2 were selected X1.5 The subcommittee’s reliance on sections 2-5 of CAN/
CGSB-182.1 as the designated test method described in 5.1 of
due to their historical inclusion in the CPAI-84 standard (over
this standard specification is based on a multiple year effort
that standard’s 45 years of existence) and upon a review of
coordinated by the Canadian General Standards Board, result-
current incident data, none of which demonstrated a need to
ing in independent laboratory testing of multiple samples of
includetheseproductsinthissafetyspecification.Thesubcom-
textiles to that new standard by the CGSB, a governmental
mittee agrees that it should periodically revisit these product
body in Canada. The method outlined in sections 2-5 of
categories to if new reports of harm and data suggest it to be
...

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: F3431 − 20 F3431 − 21
Standard Specification for
Determining Flammability of Materials for Recreational
Camping Tents and Warning Labels for Associated Hazards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3431; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This specification establishes material performance requirements and test methods to evaluate the
flammability of recreational camping tents when exposed to a flame under three conditions (as
received, after leaching, and after weathering).
This specification also incorporates precautionary warnings for fire safety and other risks associated
with camping.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers requirements and contains test methods for outdoor recreational camping tents for persons. These
requirements include controlled small flame test methods for materials used to manufacture tents. The requirements are intended
to specify materials that do not present an unreasonable risk of flammability and injury to occupants.
1.2 This specification does not apply to products intended for indoor use only, products that are not intended to shelter people,
products used principally for commercial purposes only, or products subject to the National requirements of the NFPA Fire Code
or National (NFPA 1), NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), or the International Fire Code, as adopted by certain U.S. states.
Additional articles not covered by this specification are:
1.2.1 Baby boat with sunshade;
1.2.2 Bivouac sack;
1.2.3 Car port;
1.2.4 Children’s indoor play tent, toy tent, toy bed canopy, and similar products;
1.2.5 Garden green house;
1.2.6 Hammock, hammock with insect nets, hammock with shades, hammock shelter, and similar products;
1.2.7 Packaging material, such as tent bags, pole bags, bivouac sacks, stake bags, carrying bags or rope, shock cord, or cordage
material used for anchoring;
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.22 on Camping Softgoods.
Current edition approved June 1, 2020Feb. 1, 2021. Published July 2020February 2021. Originally approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as
F3431 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/F3431-20.10.1520/F3431-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3431 − 21
1.2.8 Tarp cover;
1.2.9 Sun or beach umbrella with or without a sidewall; and
1.2.10 Other similar items that are not primarily designed to provide shelter to persons for outdoor use, which do not have sides
which are fully enclosed to the ground, and which do not have limited means of egress.
1.3 This performance specification relies on test methods from (established) consensus flammability test standards for outdoor
recreational camping tents, specifically Sections 2-5 of CAN/CGSB-182.1.
1.4 This consumer safety specification is intended to deal with reasonably foreseeable use and misuse of the products. This
consumer safety specification does not apply to products that are blatantly misused, nor does it apply to products used by
consumers in a careless manner that violate normal practice or disregard the instructions or warnings provided with the product
or both.
1.5 This specification 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.
1.6 This specification is used to predict or provide a quantitative measure of the fire hazard from a specified set of fire conditions
involving specific materials, products, or assemblies. This assessment does not necessarily predict the hazard of actual fires that
involve conditions other than those assumed in the analysis.
1.7 This specification is used to establish a means of combining the potential for harm in fire scenarios with the probabilities of
occurrence of those scenarios. Assessment of fire risk using this specification depends on many factors, including the manner in
which the user selects scenarios and uses them to represent all scenarios relevant to the application. This specification cannot be
used to assess fire risk if any conditions are different from those contained in this specification.
1.8 This specification revises CPAI-84, Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage as it relates to
recreational camping tents.
1.9 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.10 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.
1.11 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2441 Practice for Labeling of Backpacking and Mountaineering Tents and Bivouac Sacks
2.2 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 1 Fire Code
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
ASTM International owns the rights to CPAI-84, A Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage, having purchased the rights to the standard
from the Industrial Fabrics Association International (formerly the Canvas Products Associated International, or CPAI). The CPAI-84 standard was last updated in 1995.
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.
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
F3431 − 21
2.3 Other Standards:
ANSI Z535.4 Safety Labels Construction
CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and labelling requirements for tents
CPAI-84 A Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage
IFC International Fire Code
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 camping appliance, n—device typically used to cook or heat and powered by gas, wood, or another solid state fuel.
3.1.2 tent, n—portable temporary shelter for persons intended for outdoor use as protection from environmental elements, made
of fabric and other pliable materials the sides of which are fully enclosed to the ground, and which has structural elements that
create a controlled method for egress of the structure such as doors, flaps, walls, or similar elements.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
In the event of a fire to a recreational camping tent, an individual’s safest immediate course of action is to exit the burning tent
as quickly as possible. A canopy without sidewalls or doors would likely not restrict a tent’s occupant(s) ability to escape the
interior of a tent in the event of a fire.
4. Purpose
4.1 This specification sets forth revised and updated test methods for recreational camping tents in recognition of the variety of
new materials and technologies used to manufacture modern tents of mostly synthetic materials since the CPAI-84 standard was
developed in 1972 and last updated in 1995. Appendix X3 includes summaries of newly available global, comparative injury
surveillance data for tent flammability strongly suggesting that the change in the design and manufacturing of tents to use these
mostly synthetic materials has led to a further reduction in what had previously been observed to be a low incidence rate of fires
and associated injuries with recreational camping tents.
4.2 This specification also incorporates by reference Practice F2441 which specifies warnings and labels that shall be added to
tents to inform users of the risk of fires and of other commonly recognized hazards involving tents in outdoor consumer
recreational camping.
5. Flammability Requirements and Test Methods
5.1 Tents which are marketed as acceptable for the use of camping appliances within them shall be evaluated to and comply with
the test methods set forth in sections 2-5 of CAN/CGSB-182.1 described in this standard.
5.1.1 Permission for use has been granted by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) and the test standard is available
to the public for free at the CGSB website or upon request.
5.2 Testing Scope:
5.2.1 Size Criteria—Each fabric or other pliable tent material in a consumer tent with a surface area greater than 1000 cm , based
on a length by width measurement, is evaluated according to the test method described in this standard.
5.2.2 Tent Components or Accessories—Tent components or accessories made of fabric or other pliable material, and intended to
be used with the tent, such as side panels, curtains, and flies, whether sold with the tent or sold separately, are subject to the
flammability requirements (but not the labelling requirements) if they meet the size criteria.
5.3 Testing Exemptions:
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from Sales Centre Canadian General Standards Board, 11 Laurier St., Gatineau, Canada K1A 1G6 and at https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/boutique-
store-eng.html.
Available from www.ifai.com at https://www.ifai.com/nf_inventory_category/specifications/.
Available from International Code Council (ICC), 500 New Jersey Ave., NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, http://www.iccsafe.org.
F3431 − 21
5.3.1 Size Criteria—Each fabric or other pliable tent material with a surface area equal to or less than 1000 cm , based on a length
by width measurement, is not required to be evaluated according to the test method described in this specification.
5.3.2 Composition—“No-see-um”-type netting or mesh materials weighing 50g/m or less are exempted from the testing
requirements of this specification (from existing CPAI-84).
5.4 Component Testing—Materials that have passed the test methods in 5.1 in previous testing and for which no material changes
are known to have occurred mayshall be deemed to be compliant through the use of so-called component testing.
6. Product Marking
6.1 Tents which are marketed as acceptable for the use of camping appliances within them shall be labeled in accordance with
the appropriate warning set forth in Practice F2441.
6.2 Tents which are not marketed as acceptable for the use of camping appliances within them shall be labeled in accordance with
the appropriate warning set forth in Practice F2441.
6.3 The size of the tent label shouldshall be large enough so that the font and images are drafted in accordance with ANSI Z535.4.
7. Keywords
7.1 camping; camping appliance; flame retardants; flammability; recreational; tents
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. RATIONALE FOR 2019 REVISIONS
X1.1 The product category exclusions of 1.2 were selected due to their historical inclusion in the CPAI-84 standard (over that
standard’s 45 years of existence) and upon a review of current incident data, none of which demonstrated a need to include these
products in this safety specification. The subcommittee agrees that it should periodically revisit these product categories to if new
reports of harm and data suggest it to be necessary.
X1.2 The definition of tent in 3.1.2 was tailored to focus specifically on products where egress could inhibit an immediate exit
to safety from a burning tent. Where a tent is open on one or more sides, the subcommittee did not include such a product within
the scope of this standard specification as such a p
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