ASTM E2187-02

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a standard measure of the capability of a cigarette, positioned on one of three standard substrates, to generate sufficient heat to continue burning and thus potentially cause ignition of bedding or upholstered furniture.
1.2 This method has value as a predictor of the relative propensity of a cigarette to ignite upholstered furnishings.
1.3 This method is applicable to cigarettes that burn along the length of a tobacco column.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat 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 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2002
• ICS: 65.160 - Tobacco, tobacco products and related equipment
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.15 - Furnishings and Contents

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E2187-02a - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F1870-22 - Standard Guide for Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 2187 – 02
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2187; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The most common initiating event in a fatal fire in the United States is the dropping of a lit cigarette
onto a bed or piece of upholstered furniture. The cigarette coal heats the furnishing materials to the
point where smoldering combustion begins, perhaps followed by a transition to flaming combustion.
Since limiting the frequency of ignitions is a principal approach to reducing fire loss, it is desirable
to establish a test method for the propensity of a cigarette to ignite soft furnishings. This test method
uses standard substrates to determine the extent to which, as the substrate draws heat from the
cigarette, the cigarette combustion remains strong enough to be capable of initiating a fire.
1. Scope E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a standard
E 1352 Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
measure of the capability of a cigarette, positioned on one of
Mock-up Upholstered Furniture Assemblies
three standard substrates, to generate sufficient heat to continue
E 1353 Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
burning and thus potentially cause ignition of bedding or
Components of Upholstered Furniture
upholstered furniture.
2.2 Other Standard:
1.2 This method has value as a predictor of the relative
Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress
propensity of a cigarette to ignite upholstered furnishings.
Pads, 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1632
1.3 This method is applicable to cigarettes that burn along
the length of a tobacco column.
3. Terminology
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
method refer to Terminology E 176E 176.
only.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 This standard measures and describes the response of
3.2.1 full-length burn, n—the outcome of a determination in
materials, products, or assemblies to heat under controlled
whichthecigaretteburnsatleasttothebeginningofthetipping
conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors
paper, which covers the filter and perhaps a short section of the
required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials,
tobaccocolumninafiltertipcigarette,ortowithin5mmofthe
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
end of the tobacco column if the cigarette has no filter.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 This test method measures the probability that a ciga-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
rette, placed on a substrate, will generate sufficient heat to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
maintain burning of the tobacco column. Each determination
statements, see Section 6.
consists of placing a lit cigarette on the horizontal surface
2. Referenced Documents consisting of a set number of layers of filter paper. Observation
is made of whether or not the cigarette continues to burn to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 beginning of the tipping paper. Forty determinations (compris-
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
ing a test) are performed to obtain the relative probability that
the cigarette will continue burning despite heat abstraction by
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
the substrate.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings
and Contents.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2002. Published April 2002.
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E2187–02
5. Significance and Use 5 % and a temperature of 23°C6 3°C (73°F6 5°F) and shall
be continuously monitored. A tray containing a saturated
5.1 The most common initiating event in a fatal fire is the
solution of sodium bromide (NaBr) in water will provide the
dropping of a cigarette onto a bed or piece of upholstered
appropriate relative humidity when the box temperature is as
furniture, causing 20 % of the estimated U.S. fire deaths from
prescribed. The box shall be located convenient to the test
1992–1996 in residential structures, according to statistics
chamber such that test materials shall not be exposed to a
provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
non-conditioned environment for more than 5 min between
Test Methods E 1352E 1352 and E 1353E 1353 have been
their removal from the box and the beginning of a test.
developed to evaluate the susceptibility of upholstered furni-
7.3 Test Chamber—A test chamber of the design photo-
ture mock-ups and components to ignition by cigarettes.
graphed in Fig. 1 shall be constructed of clear plastic such as
Federal Standard 16 CFR Part 1632, Standard for the Flam-
PMMA, nominally 6 mm (0.25 in.) in thickness. The inside
mability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads, was promulgated to
dimensions shall be: height: 340 mm6 2 mm (15.5 in.6 0.1
reduce the likelihood that mattresses and mattress pads would
in.), width: 292 mm6 2 mm (11.5 in.6 0.1 in.), depth: 395
ignite from a lighted cigarette.
mm6 2 mm (15.5 in.6 0.1 in.). The full front panel of the
5.2 This test method enables comparison of the relative
chamber shall be hinged, with a latch to effect positive closure.
ignition strength of different cigarette designs.
Thetopofthechambershallhaveaflattopcylindricalchimney
5.3 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to a set of
of height 178 mm 6 2 mm (6.00 in. 6 0.1 in.) and inside
laboratory conditions. If different conditions are substituted or
diameter 150 mm6 2 mm (6.00 in.6 0.1 in.). The chimney
the end use conditions are changed, it may not be possible,
shall be centered on the chamber top and sealed to the chamber
using this test, to predict quantitative changes in the fire test
top panel.
response characteristics measured. Therefore, the quantitative
results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions
7.4 Filter Paper Holder—A cylindrical support for the
described in this procedure.
layers of filter paper, shown in Fig. 2, shall be made of PMMA
or similarly rigid material, dimensioned as follows. The outer
6. Hazards diameter shall be 165 mm6 1 mm (6.50 in.6 0.04 in.), the
inner diameter shall be 127 mm6 1 mm (5.00 in.6 0.04 in.),
6.1 This test method involves the use of combustible mate-
and the height shall be 50 mm6 1 mm (1.97 in.6 0.04 in.).
rials that are exposed to ignition sources. Consequently, the
A recess in the top, 8 mm6 1 mm (0.31 in.6 0.04 in.) deep,
user shall take proper precautions to avoid thermal injuries.
shall expand the inner diameter to 152 mm6 1 mm (6.00 in.
6.1.1 Personnel shall be instructed on general procedures to
6 0.04 in.). Three or four legs shall raise the bottom of the
handle an unwanted fire.Appropriate fire extinguishing equip-
holder approximately 20 mm (0.8 in) above the chamber floor.
mentshallbeprovidedtosuppressanyfiresthatexceednormal
7.5 Metal Rim—A circular brass or other dense metal rim,
controlled limits.
6.2 Personnel shall take proper precautions to avoid inhal- shown in Fig. 2, shall be used to hold the sheets of filter paper
flat against each other.The outside diameter of the rim shall be
ing combustion products.
6.2.1 Exhaust systems shall be checked regularly to ensure 150 mm6 2 mm (5.90 in6 0.08 in). The inner diameter shall
be 130 mm6 2 mm (5.1 in.6 0.08 in.).The thickness shall be
that they are removing all products of combustion from the
workspace. 3mm6 1 mm (0.12 in.6 0.04 in.). The rim surface shall be
flat and smooth. A pair of parallel metal pins, each approxi-
6.2.2 Respiratory equipment shall be made available for
personnel. mately 1 mm in diameter and 8.1 mm6 0.05 mm (0.32 in.6
0.02 in.) apart, shall protrude 20 mm6 2 mm (0.8 in.6 0.1
6.3 The user shall ensure that all burning has ceased before
discarding used test materials. An appropriate closed metal in.) toward the center of the rim. The pins are to be spaced to
keep the non-ignited end of a conventional 25 mm circumfer-
waste container shall be used in each fire test laboratory for
safe disposal of specimens and test assemblies after being ence cigarette from rolling, but without pressuring the ciga-
rette. If cigarettes of significantly different diameter are to be
exposed to heat and fire.
tested, other pairs of pins, appropriately spaced, shall be
inserted into the rim.
7. Apparatus and Equipment
7.6 Cigarette Holder—Aholder shall be used to support the
7.1 Test and Conditioning Environment—An environmental
lit cigarette in a horizontal position in the test chamber prior to
conditioning room shall be maintained which provides an area
placement of the cigarette onto the filter paper substrate. The
adequate for conditioning both cigarettes and filter paper
holder shall not clamp the cigarette nor stress it in any other
specimens. This room shall be capable of maintaining a
manner, nor shall it contact the cigarette within 30 mm of its lit
relative humidity of 55 %6 5 % and a temperature of 23°C6
end.
3°C (73°F6 5°F) and shall be continuously monitored. The
room in which the tests are conducted, which may also be the 7.7 Cigarette Ignition System—A system consisting of an
conditioning room, shall be maintained within the same tem- air draw component and an ignition source shall be used to
perature and relative humidity ranges. ignite the test cigarettes. The cigarette shall be supported in a
7.2 Constant Humidity Box—Alternatively, cigarettes and horizontal position. A butane gas lighter capable of producing
filter paper shall be stored in a box of sufficient size to hold the a stable luminous flame for 15 mm6 3 mm (0.6 in.6 0.1 in.)
needed quantities of filter paper and cigarettes. The interior of in length or a hot coil igniter shall be used for lighting the
the box shall be maintained at a relative humidity of 55 %6 cigarette. The airflow and the draw time through the lit
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E2187–02
FIG. 1 Photograph of Test Chamber and Filter Paper Holder
FIG. 2 Close-up of Test Cigarette, Filter Paper Holder, Metal Pins and Metal Rim
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E2187–02
cigaretteshallbesufficienttoestablishacoaltowithin61mm the specimens are not contaminated while in storage and they
of the pencil mark 5 mm (0.2 in.) from the tip of the cigarette. shall be protected from degradation by insects. If the speci-
Appropriate filtering media shall be used downstream of the mens are to be stored for more than one week, they shall be
cigarette to remove smoke and condensable combustion gases placed in a freezer at approximately 0°C (32°F) reserved for
in order to prevent contamination of the downstream compo- the sole protection of cigarette specimens to minimize the risk
nents. of contamination.
7.8 Exhaust Hood—A chemical or canopy hood shall be 9.2.2 Prior to testing, cigarette test specimens shall be
usedforremovingcombustionproductsfromthetestroom.Air marked, using a #2 or softer graphite pencil, on their paper
flow through the hood shall be sufficient to remove cigarette seam 5 mm6 1 mm and 15 mm6 1 mm (0.2 in. and 0.6 in.,
and substrate combustion products while not being high each6 0.04 in.) from the end of the cigarette that will be lit.
enough to influence the combustion processes in the test These marks are used to establish the start (11.4) and comple-
chamber(s). (See 8.1.2.) tion (11.5.4) of a uniform pre-burn period, respectively.
7.9 Extinguishment—Following a determination, the ciga- 9.3 Filter Paper—The substrates consist of 150 mm (6 in.)
rette and sheets of filter paper shall be completely extin- diameter circles ofWhatman #2 ash-free cellulosic filter paper.
guished,forexample,bysmotheringorbyapplicationofwater. Substrates are formed by placing multiple layers of filter paper
into the holder assembly, then placing the metal rim on top to
8. Calibration and Standardization
ensure good contact between the layers.
8.1 Calibrations of equipment shall be carried out as noted
below and at any time when equipment or test conditions
10. Conditioning
indicate that evaluation and re-calibration are necessary. The
10.1 Cigarettesshallbeconditionedatarelativehumidityof
time intervals for calibrations stated in this method shall be
55 %6 5 % and a temperature of 23°C6 3°C (73°F6 5°F)
considered to be the minimum.
for at least 24 h prior to testing.The cigarettes shall be oriented
8.1.1 The test chambers shall be checked before use to
vertically in a small clean container, with the number of
minimize air leakage so that the smoke plume from a cigarette
cigarettes being sufficiently small as to enable free air access to
rises undisturbed during testing. Door seals shall be checked
the specimens, for example, a maximum of 20 cigarettes in a
visually to ensure that they are closed flush against the
250 mL polyethylene or glass beaker.
chamber’s side wall and the latching device secures the door
10.1.1 Boxesoffilterpapershallbeconditionedatarelative
tightly.Allconstructionseamsshallbeinspectedtoensurethey
humidity of 55 %6 5 % and a temperature of 23°C6 3°C
are airtight and no cracks shall be visible on any surface of the
(73°F6 5°F) for at least one week prior to testing. The top of
test chamber. If leaks are detected, measures shall be taken to
each 100 sheet box of filter paper shall be removed prior to
ensure that these areas are again made sufficiently air tight.
being placed in the conditioning room or box. The
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