ASTM E1590 Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses

1. Scope

1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.

1.2 This test method provides a means of determining the burning behavior of mattresses used in public occupancies by measuring specific fire test responses when the test specimen,
a mattress or mattress with foundation, is subjected to a specified flaming ignition source under well ventilated conditions.

1.3 This is a test method for mattresses or mattresses with foundations.

1.4 Test data are obtained describing the burning behavior, following application of a specific ignition source, from ignition until all burning has ceased, a period of 1 h has
elapsed, or flashover appears inevitable.

1.5 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of mattresses under fire conditions other than those specified in this test method. In particular, this test
method does not apply to smoldering ignition by cigarettes. See 5.12 for further information.

1.6 The rate of heat release of burning test specimen is measured by an oxygen consumption method. See 5.12.4 for further information.

1.7 Other measurements are the production of light-obscuring smoke and the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases. See 5.12.5 for further information.

1.8 The burning behavior is documented visually by photographic or video recordings.

1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.11 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 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.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2

ASTM D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
ASTM E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ASTM E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
ASTM E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
ASTM E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ASTM E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
ASTM E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
ASTM E1474 Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption
Calorimeter
ASTM E1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture
ASTM E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests
ASTM E2257 Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling Materials and Assemblies
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System

2.2 ISO Standards:3
ISO 4880 Burning Behaviour of Textiles and Textile Products—Vocabulary
ISO 9705 Fire Tests—Full Scale Room Test for Surface Products
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary

2.3 UL Standards:4
UL 1056 Fire Test of Upholstered Furniture (withdrawn)
UL 1895 Fire Test of Mattresses (withdrawn)

2.4 CA Standards:5
CA Technical Bulletin 121 Flammability Test Procedure for Mattresses for Use in Public Occupancies
CA Technical Bulletin 129 Flammability Test Procedure for Mattresses for Use in Public Buildings
CA Technical Bulletin 133 Flammability Test Procedure for Seating Furniture for Use in Public Occupancies

2.5 Other Documents:
CFR Part 1632 Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (formerly DOC FF4-72, 40 FR 59940)6
Nordtest Method NT Fire 032 Upholstered Furniture: Burning Behavior—Full Scale Test7

2.6 NFPA Standards:8
NFPA 265 Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls
NFPA 286 Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth