Investigating the Effects of Varying the Angle of Application and Increasing the Ignition Source Flow Rate During ISO Ignitability Testing on Foam and Vinyl

ABSTRACT

To investigate how, and to what extent, the following factors influence burn damage: (1) the angle of application of the ignition source to the sample surface, and (2) the flow rate for the ignition source, when assessing samples in accordance with ISO 8191-2:1988.

Varying the ignition source flow rate and the angle of application of the ignition source to the sample undergoing testing, which are both variations on the existing procedure outlined in the Standard ISO 8191-2:1988. Burn damage as measured by the depth (if applicable) and greatest horizontal and vertical dimensions. Increasing the ignition source gas flow rate (from 45 ml/min to 240 ml/min) increased the measured burn damage for both foam and vinyl samples. The increased damage factor was at least two-fold (and up to five‐fold). Changing the angle of application of the ignition source (45° compared to 0°) did not significantly affect the measured burn damage for either sample. These findings indicate that the direction of application of a match-flame equivalent ignition source has no significant affect on the resulting burn damage, but that increasing the ignition source flow rate increases the burn damage for both foam and vinyl samples.

Keywords:

• ISO 8191
• ISO7176-16
• ignitability
• match-flame equivalent
• upholstery
• wheelchairs

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 while the authors worked at NovitaTech, the technology division of Novita Children's Services, Inc., Adelaide, S.A., Australia.

Part of the material contained in this manuscript was presented at an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Meeting of TC173 SC1 WG11, in Perth, WA, Australia, on 23 October 2006.