NFPA 701 Fire test to textiles and films

NFPA 701:2010 Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame propagation of textiles and films

 
      NFPA 701 Fire test to textiles and films - Scope

Test Method 1.

Test Method 1 shall apply to fabrics or other materials used in curtains, draperies, or other window treatments. Vinylcoated fabric blackout linings shall be tested according to Test Method 2.

Test Method 1 shall apply to single-layer fabrics and to multilayer curtain and drapery assemblies in which the layers are fastened together by sewing or other means. Vinyl-coated fabric blackout linings shall be tested according to Test Method 2.

 

Test Method 1 shall apply to the following textile items:

(1) Table skirts

(2) Table linens

(3) Display booth separators

(4) Textile wall hangings

Test Method 1 shall not apply to specimens having an areal density greater than 700 g/m2 (21 oz/yd2).

For the purposes of Test Method 1, the terms curtains, draperies, or other types of window treatments, where used, shall include, but not be limited to, the following items:

(1) Window curtains

(2) Stage or theater curtains

(3) Vertical folding shades

(4) Roll-type window shades

(5) Hospital privacy curtains

(6) Window draperies

(7) Fabric vertical shades or blinds

(8) Horizontal folding shades

(9) Swags

(10) Fabric horizontal shades or blinds

Test Method 2.

Test Method 2 (flat specimen configuration) shall be used for fabrics, including multilayered fabrics, films, and plastic blinds, with or without reinforcement or backing, with areal densities greater than 700 g/m2 (21 oz/yd2).

Test Method 2 shall be used for testing vinyl-coated fabric blackout linings and lined draperies using a vinylcoated fabric blackout lining.

Test Method 2 shall be used for testing plastic films, with or without reinforcement or backing, when used for decorative or other purposes inside a building or as temporary or permanent enclosures for buildings under construction.

Test Method 2 shall apply to fabrics used in the assembly of awnings, tents, tarps, and similar architectural fabric structures and banners.

NFPA 701 Fire test to textiles and films - Reference Standard：

NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.

NFPA 265, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls.

ASTM D 5025, Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials.

ASTM D 5207, Standard Practice for Calibration of 20 mm and 125 mm Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials.

AATCC

 
NFPA 701 Fire test to textiles and films- Test Requirements：

Test Method 1

1) Fragments or residues of specimens that fall to the floor of the test chamber shall not continue to burn for more than an average of 2 seconds per specimen for the sample of 10 specimens.

2) The average weight loss of the 10 specimens in a sample shall be 40 percent or less.

Test Method 2

1. Performance Criteria.

1) When any specimen continues flaming for more than 2 seconds after the test flame is removed from contact with the specimen, the material shall be recorded as having failed the test.

2) When the length of char of any individual folded specimen exceeds 1050 mm (41.3 in.), the material shall be recorded as having failed the test.

3) When the char length of any single flat specimen exceeds 435 mm (17.1 in.), the material shall be recorded as having failed the test.

4)When at any time during or after the application of the test flame, any portions or residues of the material being tested break or drip from the specimen fall to the floor of the test apparatus, and continue burning for more than 2 seconds after reaching the floor of the test apparatus, the material shall be recorded as having failed the test.

2. Retest.

1) In the event that only one of the four folded specimens does not meet the criteria of Section 15.1, two new specimens cut in the same direction as the one that failed shall be tested.

2) If both of the new folded specimens meet all of the criteria, the material shall be recorded as having passed this test.

3) In the event that only one of the 10 flat specimens does not meet the criteria of Section 15.1, five new specimens cut in the same direction as the one that failed shall be tested.

4) If all five of the new flat specimens meet all of the criteria, the material shall be recorded as having passed this test.

NFPA 701 Fire test to textiles and films - Similar standards:

-  CAN/ULC-S109 Flame tests of flame-resistant fabrics and films