ASTM D5238-98
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
Standard Test Method for Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
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 problems, 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)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 5238 – 98
Standard Test Method for
Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5238; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 2258 Recommended Practice for Sampling Yarn for Test-
ing
1.1 This test method covers the determination of smoldering
D 4391 Terminology Relating to the Burning Behavior of
combustion potential within cotton-based batting intended for
Textiles
use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. This test method
E 176 Terminology Relating to Fire Standards
should not be used to evaluate batting containing less than
2.2 Government Standard:
75 % cotton by weight, and it is intended to be used primarily
16 CFR Part 1632, Standard for the Flammability of Mat-
as a quality control tool.
tresses and Mattress Pads (FF 4-72 Amended)
1.2 This test method should be used to measure and describe
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
3. Terminology
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to burn-
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or risk
ing behavior, refer to Terminology D 4391. For definitions of
of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire condi-
other textile terms, refer to Terminology D 123.
tions. However, the results of this test may be used as elements
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
of a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors
3.2.1 batting, n—a textile filling material consisting of a
that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a
continuous web of fibers formed by carding, garnetting, air
particular end use.
layering, or other means.
1.3 Inadequate consideration of a subsystem, such as cotton
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In the bedding, furniture, and futon
batting, to resist smoldering is frequently the reason that finish
industries, batting is made from a blend of fibers consisting
systems fail fire and smolder resistance tests in mattresses and
primarily of cotton.
upholstered furniture. This test method may be used to evaluate
this smolder resistance in the subsystem of cotton batting used
4. Summary of Test Method
in such products. The purpose of this test method is to aid end
4.1 A controlled heat source is positioned between two
users in better determining the potential of cotton batting
identical specimens of cotton batting. The heat source and
components to resist smoldering. It is recommended that those
specimens remain undisturbed until the specimens either are
using this test method be familiar with cotton batting produc-
consumed or are no longer undergoing smoldering combustion.
tion and the use of cotton batting in mattresses and upholstered
The resulting outward char distance from the initial heat source
furniture.
is determined.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
5. Significance and Use
only.
5.1 This test method provides a means for evaluating the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
smoldering combustion potential of cotton-based batting for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
use in mattresses and upholstered furniture. The degree of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
correlation between the results of this test of a component
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
material and actual end-use products has not been determined
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
fully.
5.2 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or
2. Referenced Documents
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textile Materials
changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
predict changes in the fire test response characteristics mea-
sured. The results are therefore valid only for the fire test
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.52 on Flammability.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
published as D 5238 – 92. Last previous edition D 5238 – 92. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. Federal Register, Vol 49, No. 197, Wednesday, October 10, 1984.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5238
exposure conditions described in this procedure. 7. Sampling
5.3 In the case of a dispute arising from differences in the
7.1 Lot Sample—Take a lot sample as specified in the
reported test results using this test method for acceptance
applicable material specification, or as agreed upon by the two
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
parties interested in the test results. In the absence of any
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine whether a
specification or agreement, take a lot sample as directed in
statistical bias exists between their laboratories. Competent
Recommended Practice D 2258.
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
7.2 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep-
bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
tance testing, take at random the number of packages from
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
each primary sampling unit in the lot sample directed in an
from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
applicable material specification or other agreement between
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
the purchaser and the supplier, such as an agreement to use
to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two
Recommended Practice D 2258. Sample packages should not
laboratories should be compared using Student’s t-test for
be rewound or transferred to another package.
unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the
two parties before testing began. If a bias is found, either its 8. Preparation of Specimens
cause must be determined and corrected, or the purchaser and
8.1 Prepare two adjacent 18 by 18 6 1-cm (7 by 7 6 ⁄4-in.)
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in light of the
specimens of cotton-based batting and one cigarette in tripli-
known bias.
cate for each test.
8.2 Weigh and record the initial weights of each specimen.
6. Apparatus and Materials
Each cotton-based
...
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