ISO 12952 Textiles - Evaluation of Flammability of Bedding Materials

The “ISO 12952 Textile - Evaluation of flammability of bedding materials” standard, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), consists of subsections published under the same title. Namely,

• The standard “ISO 12952-1 Part 1: Ignition source: Smouldering cigarette” describes test methods for assessing the ignitability of all bedding when exposed to a smoldering cigarette. This standard applies, for example, to bedding that would normally be placed on a mattress. For example,
  • Mattress covers
  • coasters
  • Incontinence sheets and pads
  • Sheets
  • blankets
  • Electric blankets
  • Duvets and covers
  • Pillows (regardless of filling) and bolsters
  • pillow cases

However, mattresses, bed bases and mattress pads are outside the scope of this standard.

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply in addition to the terms and definitions given in ISO 4880:

• A bed is a mattress placed on a bed base with no other bedding.
• A bed set is a stack of consecutive layers of bedding and various bedding, representing a section running through the middle of a made bed, with or without a pillow and pillowcase.
• The bed base is the structure that supports the mattress.
• The underlay is the textile layer between the mattress and the bottom sheet.

In principle, a test specimen placed on a test substrate is subjected to a smoldering cigarette placed above or below the test specimen. Any gradual smoldering or flaring is noted. If the actual mattress used is known, it can be substituted for the test substrate.

The ignition criteria are as follows:

• Progressive smoldering combustion: The following types of behavior are considered progressive smoldering combustion:
  • Any test sample that exhibits increased burning behavior, making it unsafe to continue testing and must be forcibly extinguished.
  • Any test specimen that smoldered until substantially exhausted after a 1-hour period following application of the smoldering cigarette.
  • Any test specimen that produces an externally detectable amount of smoke, heat, or glow after 1 hour of application of a smoldering cigarette.
  • Any test sample showing evidence of active smoldering at final inspection.

In practice, it has been found that there is generally a clear distinction between materials that can char under the influence of a smoldering cigarette but do not spread further (non-progressive) and materials in which smoldering develops and spreads (progressive).

• Flaming ignition: Any flame that is started by a smoldering cigarette is considered a flaming ignition.

In principle, a test specimen placed on a test substrate is exposed to a small open flame placed above or below the test specimen. Any gradual smouldering or flaming is noted. If the actual mattress used is known, it can be substituted for the test substrate.

The ignition criteria are as follows:

• Progressive smoldering ignition: The following types of behavior are considered progressive smoldering ignition:
  • Any test sample that exhibits increased burning behavior, making it unsafe to continue testing and must be forcibly extinguished.
  • Any test specimen that smoldered until substantially exhausted after a 1-hour period following application of the smoldering cigarette.
  • Any test specimen that produces an externally detectable amount of smoke, heat, or glow after 1 hour of application of a smoldering cigarette.
  • Any test sample showing evidence of active smoldering at final inspection.

In practice, it has been found that there is generally a clear distinction between materials that can char under the influence of a smoldering cigarette but do not spread further (non-progressive) and materials in which smoldering develops and spreads (progressive).

• Flaming ignition: Any flame that is started by a smoldering cigarette is considered a flaming ignition.

The following types of behavior are considered flaming combustion:

• Any test specimen that exhibits increased burning behavior, making it unsafe to continue testing and requiring forced extinguishing.
• Any test fixture that burns until exhausted within the test period.
• Any test specimen that continues to flame for more than 120 seconds after the ignition source is removed.

In principle, a test specimen placed on a test substrate is exposed to a small open flame placed above or below the test specimen. Any gradual smouldering or flaming is noted. If the actual mattress is known, it can replace the test substrate.

• The standard “ISO 12952-4 Part 4: Specific test methods for ignitability by a small open flame” describes product-specific details regarding sample size, washing procedures, setup of samples and ignition source locations for testing bedding materials according to the method described in the ISO 12952-3 standard.

Flat materials should be cut to 450 mm x 450 mm as test samples. For pillows, the test sample should be a full-size product. Pillows should be cut to a maximum length of 450 mm. Duvets should be cut to 450 mm x 450 mm, with hems if necessary. Test samples should include two original edges.

Bedding should be tested after five cleaning cycles unless a higher number is specified. Cleaning should be carried out in accordance with the method specified by the manufacturer. If no method is specified, the product should be washed in accordance with method 26330A of ISO 2 and samples should not be dried between washing cycles. If dry cleaning is specified, ISO 3175 should be used.

The ignition source should be held horizontally and brought into contact with the surface of the test sample without any pressure being applied or released.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the "ISO 12952 Textile - Evaluation of the flammability of bedding materials" standard are also provided to businesses.