ASTM F1534-22

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Designation: F1534 − 16 F1534 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determining Changes in Fire-Test-Response Characteristics
of Cushioning Materials After Water Leaching
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1534; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a procedure for leaching cushioning materials with water and determining changes
in two specific fire-test-response characteristics: (1) the surface flammability, in accordance with Test Method D3675, and (2) the
specific optical density of smoke generated, in accordance with Test Method E662.
1.2 In view of the wide variation in potential service conditions, it is likely that results of this leaching test will not give a direct
correlation with service performance for all applications. However, the test method yields comparative data on which to base
judgments as to expected service of cushioning materials and is useful in research and development work.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F33 on Detention and Correctional Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F33.05 on
Furnishings and Equipment.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016June 1, 2022. Published June 2016June 2022. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
F1534 – 10.F1534 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/F1534-16.10.1520/F1534-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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F1534 − 22
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method and associated with fire issues refer to Terminology E176.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cushioning, n—material used to isolate or reduce the effect of externally applied shock or vibration forces, or both.
3.2.2 fire performance, n—response of a material, product, or assembly in a specific fire, other than a fire test involving controlled
conditions (different from fire-test-response characteristic, q.v.).
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
The ASTM Policy on Fire Standards distinguishes between the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame
“under controlled conditions,” which is fire-test-response characteristic, and “under actual fire conditions,” which is fire
performance. Fire performance depends on the occasion or environment and may not be measurable. In view of the limited
availability of fire-performance data, the response to one or more fire tests, appropriately recognized as representing end-use
conditions, is generally used as a predictor of the fire performance of a material, product, or assembly.
3.2.3 fire-test-response characteristic, n—response characteristic of a material, product, or assembly, to a prescribed source of
heat, or flame, under controlled fire conditions; such response characteristics may include but are not limited to ease of ignition,
flame spread, heat release, mass loss, smoke generation, fire resistance, and toxic potency of smoke.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—
A fire-test-response characteristic can be influenced by variable characteristics of the heat source, such as its intensity, or of the
burning environment, such as ventilation, geometry of item or enclosure, humidity, or oxygen concentration. It is not an intrinsic
property such as specific heat, thermal conductivity, or heat of combustion, where the value is independent of test variables. A
fire-test-response characteristic may be described in one of several terms. Smoke generation, for example, may be described as
smoke opacity, change of opacity with time, or smoke weight. No quantitative correlation need exist between values of a response
characteristic for two or more materials, products, or assemblies, as measured by two or more approaches, or tested under two or
more sets of conditions for a given method.
3.2.4 leaching, n—removal in solution of the more soluble materials by percolating or moving water.
3.2.5 softened water, n—water that has been treated with substances to remove or sequester the calcium or magnesium ions.
3.2.5.1 Discussion—
Among the substances used for water softening are various sodium phosphates and zeolites (natural hydrated silicate of aluminum
and either sodium or potassium or both). Water of specific resistance of 1 MΩ or higher is suitable.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In this test method samples of cushioning materials are subjected to leaching by immersing specimens in flowing softened
water for a period of 6 h and then dried. Two fire-test-response characteristics of the cushioning materials, namely the surface
flammability, in accordance with Test Method D3675, and the specific optical density of smoke, in accordance with Test Method
E662, are measured on specimens of the materials which have undergone the water treatment. The results are then compared with
results obtained from untreated specimens of the same materials, to determine the percentage change in each fire-test-response
characteristic.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The fire performance of a material or product is affected by a combination of its fire-test-response characteristics. Two of the
most commonly determined fire-test-response characteristics of cushioning materials are the surface flammability, in accordance
with Test Method D3675, and the specific optical density of smoke, in accordance with Test Method E662.
5.2 Cushioning materials used in upholstery applications are potentially exposed to leaching of the active ingredients due to (1)
water solubility of the treating agents or (2) exposure to high humidity.
5.3 In view of the importance that the fire performance of the cushioning materials used in upholstery applications remain constant
throughout their intended service life, this test method provides a means to test for the potential change in two fire-test-response
characteristics due to leaching.
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6. Apparatus
6.1 Water Tank—Use a water container or tank of a shape and size sufficient for the specimens to be fully submersible therein,
to ensure full water contact with all surfaces. Determine the volume of the water container in litres by filling it with water and
measuring the volume of the water. Confirm that the container is large enough that the ratio of the specimen(s) to water shall be
no less than 1 to 20 by volume, by comparison with the volume of the specimens to be used, as determined in 8.4.
NOTE 1—The maximum volume of each specimen to be tested in Test Method D3675 is 1.73 L. L (1.83 qt). The maximum volume of each specimen
to be tested in Test Method E662 is 0.30 L.L (0.32 qt).
6.2 Softened Water:
6.2.1 Use an established water softening procedure that ensures the presence of negligible amounts of alkaline or alkaline earth
ions (principally sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium).
NOTE 2—It is advisable to have the facility running water tested before acquiring a new water softening syste
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