Assessment of a Possible Bench Scale Screening Protocol for Predicting Full-Scale Mattress Fire Behavior.

Published

September 1, 2006

Author(s)

Thomas J. Ohlemiller

Abstract

This report summarizes a study of the feasibility of developing a bench-scale protocol for possible use in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1633 (open flame) compliance testing of commercial mattress designs. It was shown that local resistance to the CFR 1633 gas burner exposure could successfully be done in one step with a composite consisting of a mattress top panel, tape edge seam and side panel (or analogous components for a foundation), rather than with separate tests for each component. A second type of test (with a different apparatus) is indicated for assessing resistance to commonly encountered, persistent mattress/foundation crevice flames which represent a different mode of mattress design vulnerability. An apparatus for this was developed but not systematically applied. Other vulnerability modes may require other tests. The real goal of bench-scale testing, faster and more economical assessments, is thus unlikely to be achieved and the best approach appears to be full-scale testing.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 7341

Report Number

7341

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7341

Keywords

mattresses, fire behavior, design applications, regulations, codes, fire tests

Citation

Ohlemiller, T. (2006), Assessment of a Possible Bench Scale Screening Protocol for Predicting Full-Scale Mattress Fire Behavior., NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7341 (Accessed April 26, 2024)