CAN/CGSB-4.2 No 27.7 Cigarette Test for Burning Resistance of Bearings

The Canadian government standard "CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.7 Textile test methods for burning resistance of mattresses - Cigarette test" describes a test method for evaluating the burning resistance of mattresses when in contact with a lit cigarette. This method covers only the resistance of mattresses to ignition by a lit cigarette and does not address their resistance to any other ignition source or fire.

Before starting the tests, samples should be conditioned at 35% to 50% relative humidity and a temperature of 21°C (70°F) plus/minus 3°C (21°F) for at least 24 hours immediately prior to testing. Sample dimensions should be 300 mm x 300 mm x top 50 mm. Cigarettes used as ignition sources should also be conditioned under the same conditions after being removed from their packaging.

This test method measures:

• After-flame time (how long the fabric continues to burn after the flame is extinguished)
• Afterglow time (how long the fabric glows after the flame is extinguished)
• Charring length (how damaged or charred the fabric is)

The test involves placing a lit cigarette on the mattress surface and observing whether it ignites. In terms of ignition source, this standard expands the criteria for acceptable ignition sources by allowing cigarettes to be used based on percentage of full-length burn rather than burn rate. Observations focus on whether the mattress ignites, the degree of charring, and any sustained smoldering.

The test involves placing a lit cigarette on the surface of a mattress sample under controlled conditions to observe whether ignition occurs. Key aspects of the test include:

• Ignition source: A standard cigarette is used as the ignition source.
• Sample preparation: Mattress samples are prepared according to specified dimensions and conditioning requirements.
• Test conditions: Testing is performed under defined environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity.
• Observation period: The sample is observed for a specified period of time to detect signs of ignition such as smoldering or flaming.
• Failure criteria: Ignition is considered to have occurred if there is continued smoldering or flame burning after the initial contact period.

The combustion resistance of mattresses is important primarily for fire safety and public health, as mattresses can be a significant fuel source in home fires. Determining this resistance is important for the following reasons:

• Preventing fire-related deaths and injuries: Mattresses are often implicated in bedroom fires caused by smoking materials, such as cigarettes. Fires that start in or near bedding materials can spread rapidly while occupants sleep, leaving little time for escape. Flame-resistant mattresses delay or prevent ignition, reducing the likelihood of injury or death.
• Minimize property damage: Fires that start in a bed can quickly engulf an entire room or house. Flame-retardant materials help limit or slow the spread of fire and provide more time for detection and firefighting.
• Regulatory Compliance: Many countries require mattress manufacturers to meet specific flammability standards. Compliance helps ensure products are safe for consumers and reduces manufacturers' legal liability.
• Encouraging safer product design: Burn resistance testing increases overall product safety by encouraging manufacturers to use non-toxic, flame-retardant materials. It also encourages innovation in fire-resistant construction techniques.
• Public safety and fire prevention campaigns: Fire departments and safety organizations often use data from mattress flammability tests to educate the public about fire prevention.

Standards similar to CAN/CGSB-4.2 No 27.7 help provide consistent methods for measuring safety and informing the public.

Our organization, which has been supporting businesses across all sectors for years through a wide range of testing, measurement, analysis, and evaluation activities, has a strong team of employees who closely follow global developments in science and technology and are constantly improving themselves. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the "CAN/CGSB-4.2 No 27.7 Textile test methods for the combustion resistance of mattresses - Cigarette test" standard.