Fire testing according to EN ISO 12952

Purpose

The standard is used to assess the ignitability of bedding items when subjected to a smouldering cigarette and a match flame equivalent as ignition source.

These test methods only evaluates the ignitability of bedding products and does not evaluate the burning behavior of a specific item.

In Sweden, to be able to use bedding items in a high-risk health care environment, the bedding items must be able to resist ignition according to SS-EN ISO 12952-1 and SS-EN ISO 12952-2.

According to the standard for railway applications, EN 45545-2, bedding items are to be tested according to EN ISO 12952-2, ignition with a match flame equivalent.

Method

The tests are performed in a test cabinet with a calibrated air flow. The test specimen is located on a substrate of mineral wool, on top of a steel rig. Ignition sources are applied on flat surfaces, quilts, edge tapes, underneath quilts, between sheets, etc.

During the cigarette test the bedding item is not allowed to smoulder or produce externally detectable amounts of smoke, heat or glowing after one hour from the beginning of the test.  It is also not allowed to have any occurrence of flames initiated by the smouldering cigarette.

The test assembly is subjected to a gas flame for 15 seconds. No flaming is allowed to continue for more than 120 seconds after the removal of the ignition source, and the specimen should not burn until it is consumed within the test duration. The bedding item should not smoulder or produce externally detectable amounts of smoke, heat or glowing after 15 minutes following the removal of the ignition source.

Deliveries

After testing, a test report in Swedish or English is delivered with the results.