ASTM F1870-11

Standard Guide for Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional Facilities

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The information presented provides the user with guidance on identification of test methods, and related documents, which are potentially useful to determine fire-test-response characteristics of upholstery products, and the materials of which they are made, present inside detention cells, in detention and correctional facilities. Some information is given about every standard included, so as to allow a judgment as to the potential usefulness of the original method.
The detention environment has some unique features which potentially require the use of modifications of standard test methods or the application of particular techniques. Some guidance to that effect is also presented.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response guide.
1.2 This guide is intended to provide guidance for the selection of test methods that are applicable to determining fire-test-response characteristics of upholstered furniture items contained within a detention cell.
1.3 This guide is intended for use by those interested in assessing the fire properties of the upholstery products and their component materials or composites, within cells and other areas (such as isolation lounges) of detention and correctional occupancies.
1.4 This guide includes standard test methods promulgated by ASTM, NFPA, Underwriters Laboratories, trade associations and government agencies and other proposed test methods. It does not include industrial materials specification tests. The guide indicates some means by which modifications of standard test methods lead to potential achievement of certain testing goals.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to regarded as standard; see  for further details. The units given in parentheses are for information only. Some individual standards referenced use inch-pound units for referee decisions.
1.6 This guide contains four types of test methods, namely: (1) generic small-scale methods, (2) specific applications of small-scale test methods to particular products or composites of products, associated with upholstery items, (3) real-scale test methods where actual upholstery products are exposed to heat or flame, and (4) guides explaining the concepts involved with room-scale testing.  
1.7 The main fire-test-response characteristics investigated in this guide are: ignitability, ease of extinction, flame spread, heat release, smoke obscuration and toxic potency of smoke.  
1.8 This guide measures and describes 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.
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2011
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: F33 - Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F33.05 - Furnishings and Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1870-05 - Standard Guide for Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011

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: F1870 − 11
StandardGuide for
Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of
Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional
1
Facilities
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1870; 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 1.8 This guide measures and describes the response of
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
1.1 This is a fire-test-response guide.
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
1.2 This guide is intended to provide guidance for the
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
selection of test methods that are applicable to determining
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
fire-test-response characteristics of upholstered furniture items
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
contained within a detention cell.
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
1.3 This guide is intended for use by those interested in
conducting these tests.
assessing the fire properties of the upholstery products and
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
theircomponentmaterialsorcomposites,withincellsandother
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
areas (such as isolation lounges) of detention and correctional
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
occupancies.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.4 This guide includes standard test methods promulgated
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
by ASTM, NFPA, Underwriters Laboratories, trade associa-
tions and government agencies and other proposed test meth-
2. Referenced Documents
ods. It does not include industrial materials specification tests.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
The guide indicates some means by which modifications of
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
standard test methods lead to potential achievement of certain
D1929 Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature
testing goals.
of Plastics
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to regarded as standard;
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
see IEEE/ASTM SI 10 for further details. The units given in
Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
parentheses are for information only. Some individual stan-
Plastics (Oxygen Index)
dards referenced use inch-pound units for referee decisions.
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.6 This guide contains four types of test methods, namely:
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
(1) generic small-scale methods, (2) specific applications of
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
small-scale test methods to particular products or composites
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
ofproducts,associatedwithupholsteryitems,(3)real-scaletest
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
methods where actual upholstery products are exposed to heat
E662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
or flame, and (4) guides explaining the concepts involved with
Generated by Solid Materials
room-scale testing.
E906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
1.7 The main fire-test-response characteristics investigated
Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile
in this guide are: ignitability, ease of extinction, flame spread,
Method
heat release, smoke obscuration and toxic potency of smoke.
E1321 Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and
Flame Spread Properties
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F33 on Detention and
Correctional Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F33.05 on
2
Furnishings and Equipment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F1870 – 05. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1870-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1870 − 11
E1352 Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of gen Consumption Calorimeter
Mock-Up Upholstered Furniture Assemblies NFPA 701 Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of
E1353 Test Methods for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of Textiles and Films
Components of Upho
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:F1870–05 Designation:F1870–11
Standard Guide for
Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of
Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional
1
Facilities
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1870; 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 guide.
1.2 This guide is intended to provide guidance for the selection of test methods that are applicable to determining
fire-test-response characteristics of upholstered furniture items contained within a detention cell.
1.3 This guide is intended for use by those interested in assessing the fire properties of the upholstery products and their
component materials or composites, within cells and other areas (such as isolation lounges) of detention and correctional
occupancies.
1.4 This guide includes standard test methods promulgated byASTM, NFPA, Underwriters Laboratories, trade associations and
government agencies and other proposed test methods. It does not include industrial materials specification tests. The guide
indicates some means by which modifications of standard test methods lead to potential achievement of certain testing goals.
1.5Use the SI system of units in referee decisions associated with this guide; see Practice E380. The units given in parentheses
are for information only. Some individual standards referenced use inch-pound units for referee decisions.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to regarded as standard; see IEEE/ASTM SI 10 for further details. The units given in
parentheses are for information only. Some individual standards referenced use inch-pound units for referee decisions.
1.6 This guide contains four types of test methods, namely: (1) generic small-scale methods, (2) specific applications of
small-scale test methods to particular products or composites of products, associated with upholstery items, (3) real-scale test
methods where actual upholstery products are exposed to heat or flame, and (4) guides explaining the concepts involved with
room-scale testing.
1.7 The main fire-test-response characteristics investigated in this guide are: ignitability, ease of extinction, flame spread, heat
release, smoke obscuration and toxic potency of smoke.
1.8 This guide measures and describes 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.
1.9Fire 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.
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous.Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
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 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
D1929 Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics
(Oxygen Index)
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F33 on Detention and Correctional Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F33.05 on
Furnishings and Equipment.
Current edition approved MayJuly 1, 2005.2011. Published May 2005.August 2011. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 19992005 as
F1870–99.F1870 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/F1870-05.10.1520/F1870-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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F1870–11
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