Combustion of Mattresses Exposed to Flaming Ignition Sources. Part 2. Bench-Scale Tests and Recommended Standard Test. Final Report.

Published

February 1, 1981

Author(s)

Vyto Babrauskas

Abstract

Ten mattress types were subjected to full-scale fire tests in the earlier part of this project. Burning behavior was determined and hazard was assessed by classifying into performance groups. In the present study bench-scale test procedures were examined for suitability for classifying mattress combustion behavior when exposed to flaming ignition sources. Several tests were examined, and a test protocol was developed based on two procedures enable the performance classification, as established by full-scale tests, to be reproduced by convenient laboratory tests. Details are given for conducting the required tests and illustrative performance of some two dozen samples is recorded.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) -

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Local Download

Keywords

bedding, compartment fires, health care facilities, heat release rate, hospitals, mattresses, prisons, smoke production

Citation

Babrauskas, V. (1981), Combustion of Mattresses Exposed to Flaming Ignition Sources. Part 2. Bench-Scale Tests and Recommended Standard Test. Final Report., NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=106997 (Accessed October 28, 2025)