- Author
- Damant, G. H.
- Title
- Developing an Open-Flame Ignition Standard for Mattresses and Bed Sets. (Report on a Precision and Bias Evaluation of the Technical Bulletin 603 Test Method.)
- Coporate
- Inter-City Testing and Consulting, Sacramento, CA
- Keywords
- mattresses | bedding | ignition | standards | cigarettes | statistical analysis | polyurethane foam | regulations | decision making
- Identifiers
- industry response; research plan; test standard for mattresses and bed sets; TB 603 precision and bias and related studies; precision and bias study: laboratory participation; ruggedness and sensitivity analysis; product variability analysis; polyurethane foam calibration study; precision and bias study: testing of bed sets; analysis of test results; California Technical Bulletin 603 Open-Flame Standard for Mattresses
- Abstract
- For 30 years mattress producers have made mattresses sold in the United States that are cigarette resistant. Although the mattress industry successfully addressed cigarette ignition of mattresses in the mid-1970's, more recently California and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have shown a significant interest in bedroom fires caused by open flame. California regulations require that all products manufactured for sale in California on and after January 1, 2005 comply with Technical Bulletin 603. CPSC proposals for federal regulation of the open-flame ignition of bed sets are expected in Fall 2004. Two independent studies in the late 1990's showed that most bedroom fires are caused by children playing with small open-flame ignition sources such as matches, candles or lighters; and that the first bedding products ignited in the overall bedding ensemble are usually products on top or along the side of the bed, such as sheets, blankets, pillows, comforters, bedspreads, mattress pads. To investigate the fire performance of products used in entire bedding ensemble the Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) funded a multi-year study at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST's research of bedroom fires resulted in a number of lengthy and rather technical reports. Upon completion of the study a test method for bed sets was prepared by NIST based upon the results of this lengthy research. The test method uses a twin gas burner system to evaluate the fire performance of complete bed sets. California formally proposed the NIST method as a standard in California under the designation of TB 603 that was formally adopted in California in February 2004.