ASTM D5238-98(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
Standard Test Method for Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a means for evaluating the smoldering combustion potential of cotton-based batting for use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. The degree of correlation between the results of this test of a component material and actual end-use products has not been determined fully.
In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to predict changes in the fire test response characteristics measured. The results are therefore valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
In the case of a dispute arising from differences in the reported test results using this test method for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine whether a statistical bias exists between their laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be compared using Student’t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before testing began. If a bias is found, either its cause must be determined and corrected, or the purchaser and supplier must agree to interpret future test results in light of the known bias.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of smoldering combustion potential within cotton-based batting intended for use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. This test method should not be used to evaluate batting containing less than 75 % cotton by weight, and it is intended to be used primarily as a quality control tool.
1.2 This test method should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, the results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.3 Inadequate consideration of a subsystem, such as cotton batting, to resist smoldering is frequently the reason that finish systems fail fire and smolder resistance tests in mattresses and upholstered furniture. This test method may be used to evaluate this smolder resistance in the subsystem of cotton batting used in such products. The purpose of this test method is to aid end users in better determining the potential of cotton batting components to resist smoldering. It is recommended that those using this test method be familiar with cotton batting production and the use of cotton batting in mattresses and upholstered furniture.
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 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
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D5238–98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5238; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofsmoldering 2.1 ASTM Standards:
combustion potential within cotton-based batting intended for D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. This test method D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
should not be used to evaluate batting containing less than D2258 Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
75 % cotton by weight, and it is intended to be used primarily D4391 Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of
as a quality control tool. Textiles
1.2 Thistestmethodshouldbeusedtomeasureanddescribe E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response 2.2 Government Standard:
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and 16 CFR Part 1632, Standard for the Flammability of Mat-
shouldnotbeusedtodescribeorappraisethefirehazardorrisk tresses and Mattress Pads (FF 4-72 Amended)
of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire condi-
3. Terminology
tions. However, the results of this test may be used as elements
ofafireriskassessmentthattakesintoaccountallofthefactors 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to burn-
ing behavior, refer to Terminology D4391. For definitions of
that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a
particular end use. other textile terms, refer to Terminology D123.
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Inadequate consideration of a subsystem, such as cotton
batting, to resist smoldering is frequently the reason that finish 3.2.1 batting, n—a textile filling material consisting of a
continuous web of fibers formed by carding, garnetting, air
systems fail fire and smolder resistance tests in mattresses and
upholsteredfurniture.Thistestmethodmaybeusedtoevaluate layering, or other means.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In the bedding, furniture, and futon
this smolder resistance in the subsystem of cotton batting used
industries, batting is made from a blend of fibers consisting
in such products. The purpose of this test method is to aid end
users in better determining the potential of cotton batting primarily of cotton.
components to resist smoldering. It is recommended that those
4. Summary of Test Method
using this test method be familiar with cotton batting produc-
4.1 A controlled heat source is positioned between two
tion and the use of cotton batting in mattresses and upholstered
identical specimens of cotton batting. The heat source and
furniture.
specimens remain undisturbed until the specimens either are
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
consumedorarenolongerundergoingsmolderingcombustion.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Theresultingoutwardchardistancefromtheinitialheatsource
only.
is determined.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 This test method provides a means for evaluating the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
smoldering combustion potential of cotton-based batting for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 onTextiles For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.52 on Flammability. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
published as D5238 – 92. Last previous edition D5238 – 92. DOI: 10.1520/D5238- the ASTM website.
98R03. Federal Register, Vol 49, No. 197, Wednesday, October 10, 1984.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5238–98 (2003)
use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. The degree of
correlation between the results of this test of a component
material and actual end-use products has not been determined
fully.
5.2 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are
changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to
predict changes in the fire test response characteristics mea-
sured. The results are therefore valid only for the fire test
exposure conditions described in this procedure.
5.3 In the case of a dispute arising from differences in the
reported test results using this test method for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine whether a
statistical bias exists between their laboratories. Competent
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
bias.As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
to each laboratory for testing.The average results from the two
laboratories should be compared using Student’s t-test for
unpaireddataandanacceptableprobabilitylevelchosenbythe
two parties before testing began. If a bias is found, either its
cause must be determined and corrected, or the purchaser and
FIG. 1 Draft Barrier
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in light of the
known bias.
8.2 Weigh and record the initial weights of each specimen.
6. Apparatus and Materials Each cotton-based specimen may weigh not less than 54 g (1.9
oz) and not more than 57 g (2 oz).
6.1 Balance, 200-g capacity open pan, with 0.1-g sensitiv-
ity.
9. Conditioning
6.2 Draft Barrier, as shown in Fig. 1.
9.1 If the as-received sample has a moisture content above
6.3 Test Room, draft-protected and equipped with a suitable
10 %, follow the preconditioning and conditioning procedures
system for exhausting combustion emissions produced during
as specified in Practice D1776 prior to testing.
testing.
9.2 Ithasbeenfoundthatsampleshavingamoisturecontent
6.4 Heat Source—Pall Mall cigarettes without filters or
of 10 % and below do not materially affect the results of this
equal, each measuring 85 6 2 mm (3.4 6 0.1 in.) in length and
test method
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