ASTM E1590-17

Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring a variety of fire-test-response characteristics resulting from burning a test specimen, mattress or mattress with foundation. After ignition using a propane gas burner, the test specimen is permitted to burn freely under well-ventilated conditions. The most important fire-test-response characteristic measured in this test method 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. Annex A3 discusses the assumptions and limitations.  
5.3 This test method also provides measures of other fire-test-response characteristics, including smoke obscuration (as the rate of smoke release, total smoke released, or optical density of smoke), combustion gas release (as concentrations of combustion gases), and mass loss, which are important to making decisions on fire safety.  
5.4 In the majority of fires, the most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in all fires. They are indicators of the toxicity of the atmosphere and of the completeness of combustion. Measurement of concentrations of carbon oxides are useful for two purposes: (1) as part of fire hazard assessment calculations and (2) to improve the accuracy of heat release measurements. Other toxic combustion gases, which are specific to certain materials, are also indicators of the toxicity of the atmosphere, but are less crucial for determining combustion completeness and are optional measures; however, fire hazard assessment often requires their measurement.  
5.5 The type of ignition chosen (flaming source) is common in both accidental and intentional fires in public occupancies. The test method is thus applicable to mattresses in public occupancies. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, health-care facilities, old age convalescent and board and care homes, and college dormitories and residence halls.  
5.6 One ...
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.  
1.2 This test method provides a means of determining the burning behavior of mattresses used in public occupancies by measuring specific fire test responses when the test specimen, a mattress or mattress with foundation, is subjected to a specified flaming ignition source under well ventilated conditions.  
1.3 This is a test method for mattresses or mattresses with foundations.  
1.4 Test data are obtained describing the burning behavior, following application of a specific ignition source, from ignition until all burning has ceased, a period of 1 h has elapsed, or flashover appears inevitable.  
1.5 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of mattresses under fire conditions other than those specified in this test method. In particular, this test method does not apply to smoldering ignition by cigarettes. See 5.12 for further information.  
1.6 The rate of heat release of burning test specimen is measured by an oxygen consumption method. See 5.12.4 for further information.  
1.7 Other measurements are the production of light-obscuring smoke and the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases. See 5.12.5 for further information.  
1.8 The burning behavior is documented visually by photographic or video recordings.  
1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. 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 is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
1.12 This standard do...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2017
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.15 - Furnishings and Contents

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: E1590 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Fire Testing of Mattresses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1590; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
actual fire conditions
1.2 This test method provides a means of determining the
1.11 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
burning behavior of mattresses used in public occupancies by
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
measuring specific fire test responses when the test specimen,
conducting these tests.
a mattress or mattress with foundation, is subjected to a
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the
specified flaming ignition source under well ventilated condi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This is a test method for mattresses or mattresses with
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
foundations.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 Test data are obtained describing the burning behavior,
2. Referenced Documents
following application of a specific ignition source, from
2
ignition until all burning has ceased, a period of1hhas
2.1 ASTM Standards:
elapsed, or flashover appears inevitable.
D123Terminology Relating to Textiles
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.5 This test method does not provide information on the
Building Materials
fire performance of mattresses under fire conditions other than
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
those specified in this test method. In particular, this test
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
method does not apply to smoldering ignition by cigarettes.
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
See 5.12 for further information.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.6 The rate of heat release of burning test specimen is
E800GuideforMeasurementofGasesPresentorGenerated
measured by an oxygen consumption method. See 5.12.4 for
During Fires
further information.
E1354Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
1.7 Other measurements are the production of light-
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
obscuring smoke and the concentrations of certain toxic gas
sumption Calorimeter
species in the combustion gases. See 5.12.5 for further infor-
E1474Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate
mation.
of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or
Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption
1.8 The burning behavior is documented visually by photo-
Calorimeter
graphic or video recordings.
E1537Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furni-
1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
ture
IEEE/ASTMSI-10. The units given in parentheses are for
E2067Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calo-
information only.
rimetry Fire Tests
1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the
E2257Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Materials and Assemblies
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
IEEE/ASTMSI-10International System of Units (SI): The
Modern Metric System
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings
2
and Contents. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1590–16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1590-17. 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 ----------------------
E1590 − 17
3
2.2 ISO Standards: test specimen, mattress or mattress with foundation, ignited
ISO 4880 Burning Behaviour of Textiles and Textile with a propane gas burner. Measurements to be made include
Products—Vocabulary the rate of heat and smoke release, total amount of heat
ISO 9705Fire Tests—Full Scale Room Test for Surface released, rates and concentrations of carbon oxides
...

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: E1590 − 16 E1590 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Fire Testing of Mattresses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1590; 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*
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means of determining the burning behavior of mattresses used in public occupancies by
measuring specific fire test responses when the test specimen, a mattress or mattress with foundation, is subjected to a specified
flaming ignition source under well ventilated conditions.
1.3 This is a test method for mattresses or mattresses with foundations.
1.4 Test data are obtained describing the burning behavior, following application of a specific ignition source, from ignition until
all burning has ceased, a period of 1 h has elapsed, or flashover appears inevitable.
1.5 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of mattresses under fire conditions other than those
specified in this test method. In particular, this test method does not apply to smoldering ignition by cigarettes. See 5.12 for further
information.
1.6 The rate of heat release of burning test specimen is measured by an oxygen consumption method. See 5.12.4 for further
information.
1.7 Other measurements are the production of light-obscuring smoke and the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the
combustion gases. See 5.12.5 for further information.
1.8 The burning behavior is documented visually by photographic or video recordings.
1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. 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 is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting
these tests.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings and
Contents.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2016March 1, 2017. Published December 2016March 2017. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20132016
as E1590 – 13.E1590 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E1590-16.10.1520/E1590-17.
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 ----------------------
E1590 − 17
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption
Calorimeter
E1474 Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites
Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
E1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture
E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests
E2257 Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling Materials and Assemblies
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3
2.2 ISO Stand
...