Standard Test Method for Assessment of Fire Behavior of Mattresses in Detention and Correctional Facilities by Mass Loss

Importancia y uso:

5.1 This test method provides a means for evaluating materials, products, or assemblies, for the mass loss, and fire behavior (and, optionally, smoke obscuration) they exhibit under specified exposure conditions.

5.2 Results of this test method depend on the actual specimen tested, in the form and thickness tested, and are not inherent properties of a mattress or mattress insert. Thus, test results are likely to be affected by factors such as variations in test specimen thickness or density, as well as by other changes, such as the mattress ticking material, if used, and the placement of the newspaper during the test.

5.3 In terms of fire testing, a screening test is a test method capable of preliminarily characterizing fire behavior according to a certain fire property. Under this concept, the present test method is a fire screening test based on the mass loss following ignition. The results included in Annex A2 and Appendix X2, and other work (1-7)7 show that the Michigan roll-up test is clearly capable of differentiating between mattresses of various degrees of fire performance.

5.4 This test method is capable of subdividing mattresses (or mattress inserts) into several categories depending on their response to the ignition source applied: some mattresses (or mattress inserts) will burn up completely, while some others will lose small fractions of the initial mass, with a series of intermediate fire-test responses also likely.

5.5 Guide F1870 explains that during evaluation of mattresses used in detention facilities with regard to fire hazard it is important to take into account the potential for vandalism on the fire performance of the mattress. Therefore, a mattress insert, without a ticking or covering, is often used to investigate the abuse or vandalism encountered in that environment. The use of a mattress insert also provides a direct comparison of products without the potentially confusing effect of the ticking.

5.6 It is unlikely that the present test method will be a good predictor for the results of Test Method E1590 (or of the very similar CA TB 129 test method). However, this test method is likely to be able to adequately predict whether mattresses have adequate fire performance for detention environments.

Note 1: The results presented in Appendix X2 indicate that it is possible for mattresses constructed with fire retarded cushioning, expected to yield good results in Test Method E1590, to lose more than half their mass with this test method. However, Test Method E1590 has been described in some publications as unsuitable for the detention environment (see, for example, Guide F1870 and Refs. (8, 9)), but suitable for other lower risk environments.

Subcomité:

F33.05

Volúmen:

15.08

Palabras clave:

burning; combustion; detention; fire; flame; flaming droplets; ignition; mattress; Michigan roll mattress fire test; upholstery;