CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and Labeling Requirements for Tents

The Canadian government regulation “CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and labeling requirements for tents” covers consumer tents for outdoor use, such as tent trailers and children's outdoor tents, as well as tents designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Children's play tents designed solely for indoor use are excluded from this regulation.

Regulation CAN/CGSB-182.1, which has flammability and labeling requirements for tents, was published in 2020. However, the existing requirements in this regulation, SOR/2016-185, for flammability testing remain in effect for all tents manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada.

The Canadian government is working on a proposal to replace the requirements in the current SOR/2016-185 tent regulations with the requirements in CAN/CGSB-182.1. Until the tent regulations are changed, compliance with the CAN/CGSB-182.1 test standard is voluntary.

In short, the CAN/CGSB-182.1 regulation includes the following:

• In the regulation SOR/2016-185, a vertical flammability test method was introduced for all tent materials instead of separate test methods for floor materials (horizontal test) and wall/top materials (vertical test). If the floor materials fail the vertical test, the horizontal test results are also reported, as both results must be reported.
• The number of samples subjected to vertical testing in three stages was increased from 24 to 30. The average damage length and mass loss of the samples were evaluated, and the categories of heavy fabrics and light fabrics were removed.
• Performance requirements for mean damage length, mean mass loss and flaming debris have been introduced. Post-flame time and performance requirements for individual samples have been removed in SOR/2016-185.
• Warnings such as “Keep all flames and heat sources away from the tent” have been removed and a cautionary statement has been added that includes additional statements regarding children’s tents.

The flammability performance and fire safety labeling requirements under the tent regulations have been revised by reference to the “CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and labeling requirements for tents” regulation developed by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). In addition, appropriate flammability performance and fire safety labeling requirements have been added under the toy regulations for the regulation of play tents not intended for outdoor shelter. These products are defined in the amended toy regulations as toys intended for a child to enter and are subject to the flammability performance standard “ISO 8124-2 Toy Safety - Part 2: Flammability”.

The CAN/CGSB-182.1 regulation also proposes fire safety labeling requirements to warn caregivers to keep toys intended for a child away from sources of heat or open flame. The regulation covers performance requirements and test methods to evaluate the flammability of tent materials when tested upon receipt, after infiltration, and after exposure to weather. The standard also covers labeling requirements.

Today, the requirements of the “SOR/2016-185 Tent Regulation” remain in force and work is underway to replace the current requirements with the requirements of the CAN/CGSB-182.1 regulation. In addition, changes need to be made to the “SOR/2011-17 Toy Regulation”. In this way, flammability requirements for toys with play tents can be included in these regulations. However, until the SOR/2016-185 and SOR/2011-17 regulations are amended, compliance with the CAN/CGSB-182.1 regulation is a voluntary approach for tents.

In general, flammability requirements are:

• Tents should be made of flame-resistant materials or treated to resist ignition.
• Fabrics are tested using standard flame spread tests (such as the small open flame test).
• The goal is to reduce the risk of injury or death from fires in and around tents; this is especially important in camping and indoor use (e.g., play tents).

Labeling requirements include:

• Tents must have a warning label stating that the product is flammable and should be kept away from open flames or heat sources.
• Under Canada's bilingual labeling laws, the warning must appear in both English and French.
• Labels should be durable and should usually be placed prominently on a door or entryway.
• Additional care instructions for labels may also be required.

The CAN/CGSB-182.1 regulation is deemed necessary for the following reasons:

• Helps reduce accidental fires caused by campfires, stoves, lighters and similar causes.
• It ensures that consumers are aware of fire risks when using tents.
• Supports compliance with Canadian consumer product safety regulations.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its wide range of testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies 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 are also provided to businesses within the scope of "CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and labeling requirements for tents".