IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 9 - Fire Testing for Bearing Components

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) standard “IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 9 - Fire testing for bedding components” describes smoldering cigarette tests and propane flame tests for bedding components such as blankets, pillows, duvets/bed covers and mattresses. The expectation from these tests is that no progressive smoldering or flaming ignition will occur.

If bearing components are required to have flame ignition and spread resistance properties, such components must comply with this standard.

Bearing elements are tested and evaluated in accordance with the fire test procedure specified in the annex to this standard.

The bearing component is classified as non-flammable if it does not exhibit progressive smoldering or flaming combustion as specified in the annex to this standard.

The test method described in this standard relates to a simple presentation of a particular aspect of a potential fire situation characterised by smoldering cigarettes and a match equivalent flame exposure to the product. The test alone cannot provide direct guidance on behaviour or safety in other types of accidents, such as exposure to larger flame sources. However, such a test may be used to make comparisons or to establish the existence of a particular characteristic which is considered to have an effect on the fire performance in general. No other significance should be attached to the performance in this test.

In order that appropriate precautions can be taken to protect health, the attention of all those involved in fire testing is drawn to the fact that toxic or harmful gases may be released during the combustion of test samples.

This test method includes a procedure to determine the flammability of bearing components with small smoldering and flame ignition sources.

This method is designed to test bed components such as blankets, duvets, bedspreads, pillows, and mattresses, including thin, lightweight bedding used on top of other bedding. Bed curtains, quilts, and duvets are included in bed components, but sheets, pillowcases, bed box springs, dust ruffles, and bed covers are not considered bed components.

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:

• A mattress is a product consisting of a flexible material (e.g. polyurethane foam or lightweight fibre filling) or filling materials in combination with steel springs (spring mattress) and wrapped in a cover.
• Duvets and pillows are products consisting of filling materials (feather or textile fiber) wrapped in textile fabric.
• Felt is a fabric that encases flexible material in a mattress.
• Flammability is a measure of the ease with which a material or product can ignite, either to burst into flame or gradually smolder.
• An ignition source is a source of energy used to ignite flammable materials or products.
• Flammability is the process of combustion in a gaseous state, usually with the emission of light.
• Smoldering is an exothermic reaction that occurs in a material without flame, with or without light emission.
• Progressive smoldering is smoldering that continues after the ignition source has been extinguished or removed.

Samples should be representative of the entire product to be tested. If possible, samples should be taken in such a way that ignition can also be initiated along seams and their intersections. The top is exposed. If there is any doubt as to which side is the top, testing should be carried out on both sides. Four additional samples are then required.

For bearings, there should be enough material to make four specimens of at least 450 mm x 350 mm in full nominal thickness. The cover should completely surround the bearing without wrinkles and should be secured underneath (e.g. with steel pins). For testing bearings with removable covers, there should be enough material to make at least eight specimens of 450 mm x 350 mm in full nominal thickness, four with and four without the cover.

In terms of pillows, there will be four full size samples.

The test is performed by placing the sample in a horizontal position in a test fixture. The ignition source is placed above the sample. Smoldering and flame ignition sources are used to determine flammability. The smoldering insulation of a cotton wool pad on a smoldering cigarette is used as a smoldering ignition source to simulate possible smoldering materials used in bedding. The flame ignition source is a small propane flame. Gradual smoldering or flaming ignition of the sample is observed.

The test is carried out indoors in an environment essentially free from drafts. The room temperature should be 20 degrees plus/minus 5 degrees and the relative humidity should be between 20-70 percent. The mattress sample is placed directly on the test fixture. The blanket, pillow, quilt or thin, light mattress sample is placed on the mineral wool spread on the test fixture. The ignition source is placed on top of the sample. The time is measured from the moment the ignition source is placed on the sample. The test duration is 1 hour from the moment the ignition source is placed on the sample.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services defined in the “IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 9 - Fire testing for bearing components” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.