5.1 The most common initiating event in a fatal fire is the dropping of a cigarette onto a bed or piece of upholstered furniture, according to statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association (4). Test Methods E1352 and E1353 and tests NFPA 261 and NFPA 260 have been developed to evaluate the susceptibility of upholstered furniture mock-ups and components to ignition by cigarettes. Federal Standard 16 CFR Part 1632, Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads, was promulgated to reduce the likelihood that mattresses and mattress pads would ignite from a lighted cigarette.

Note 1: While Test Methods E1352 and E1353 were originally equivalent to NFPA 261 and 260, respectively, this is no longer the case.

5.2 This test method enables comparison of the relative ignition strength of different cigarette designs.

5.3 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to a set of laboratory conditions. If different conditions are substituted or the end use conditions are changed, it may not be possible, using this test, to predict quantitative changes in the fire test response characteristics measured. Therefore, the quantitative results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.

1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a standard measure of the capability of a cigarette, positioned on one of four standard substrates, to generate sufficient heat to continue burning and thus potentially cause ignition of bedding or upholstered furniture.

1.2 This method has value as a predictor of the relative propensity of a cigarette to ignite upholstered furnishings.

1.3 This method is applicable to cigarettes that burn along the length of a tobacco column.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 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.

1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.