ASTM D2859

ASTM D2859 – Standard Test Method for Ignition Characteristics of Finished Textile Floor Covering Materials

Description:

Significance and Use

5.1 This test method provides a procedure for identification of those finished textile floor covering materials that can be rated as flame-resistant under specific controlled laboratory conditions.

5.2 This test method does not specify the use of an underlay material. If an underlay material is used to assess the effect of a specific underlay in combination with a specific floor covering, such a variation in procedure must be noted in the report.

5.3 In this test, results are observed with the specimens in a horizontal plane. Different results are possible if the same material is tested or used in any other plane.

5.4 Test Method D2859 for testing finished textile floor covering materials for flammability is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments since the method has been used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing. In cases of disagreement arising from differences in values reported by the purchaser and the seller when using this method for acceptance testing, the statistical bias, if any, between the laboratory of the purchaser and the laboratory of the seller shall be determined with each comparison being based on testing specimens randomly drawn from one sample of material of the type being evaluated.

5.5 The test procedures of this standard are similar but not identical to those contained in the standards for the surface flammability of carpets and rugs of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission4 (see also 1.1). The acceptance criterion of these CPSC standards requires that at least seven out of eight individual specimens of a given carpet or rug have passed the test, that is, that the charred portion of a tested specimen shall not extend to within 25.4 mm (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point.

5.6 The acceptance criterion of this test method is consistent with that of CPSC standards (see Section 10).

Scope

1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a test method for the determination of the flammability of finished textile floor covering materials when exposed to an ignition source under controlled laboratory conditions.

1.1.1 Carpets and rugs offered for sale in the United States are required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to comply with the test methods in 16 CFR 1630 or 16 CFR 1631, as appropriate.

1.1.2 This test method is similar but not identical to the test methods contained in 16 CFR 1630 and CFR 1631 and issued by CPSC. If compliance with one of the CPSC test methods is required, this test method does not ensure regulatory compliance.

1.2 This test method is applicable to all types of textile floor coverings, regardless of the method of fabrication or whether they are made from natural or man-made fibers. It is possible to apply this test method to unfinished material; however, the results of such a test shall not be considered a satisfactory evaluation of a textile floor covering material for ultimate consumer use.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.