Testing of Mattress Composites in the Cone Calorimeter

Abstract

An investigation of cone calorimeter test procedures was performed using two types of mattress composites with various specimen preparations and equipment configurations. The objective was to discover suitable procedures for testing mattress composites. Concurrent with this work a much larger and more sophisticated project known as CBUF 1 was underway in Europe. One of CBUF's secondary objectives was to provide an appropriate test protocol for testing upholstered furniture composites, including mattresses. Most of the CBUF protocol was available at the time of this study and a modified form of the specimen preparation technique was used in this investigation. Preliminary tests found unacceptable test performance with some configurations. Subsequent testing examined variations of the established test protocols and other test procedures. The data sample was small, but observations of the data indicate trends that might be attributable to the use of the different procedures. Significantly it was determined that the edge frame used to hold specimens in place during the test does affect the test results. A modified CBUF protocol proved to be the best procedure, but it requires extensive experience with the CBUF specimen preparation method in order to be able to produce satisfactory specimens.

Cone calorimeter evaluation of two flame retardant cotton fabrics

“…The 35 kW/m 2 level is often associated with a mild fire exposure, and the 50 kW/m 2 level is likewise associated with a well‐developed fire. In other studies in which the cone calorimeter was used to evaluate specimens of fabric/foam mattress composites, a heat flux level of 35 kW/m 2 is typically used . The 35 kW/m 2 level is also the flux level specified in ASTM E 1474, standard test method for determining the heat release rate of upholstered furniture and mattress components or composites using a bench‐scale oxygen consumption calorimeter.…”

“…The residual mass fraction was the highest for the SRRC‐2 treatment at each of the heat flux levels. In ASTM E 1474 and in studies reported in the literature , the specimen tested in the cone calorimeter is a fabric/foam composite, which is intended to represent the use of the fabric with a mattress. Various specimen configurations of the fabric/foam composites were investigated by Fritz and Hunsberger .…”

Assessment of factors affecting fire performance of mattresses: a review

“…Previous studies (Horrocks et al 2001) have also shown that PHRR values might be dependent upon the fabric surface and fabric construction of the tickings in addition to their fiber content and fabric finish. Study (Fritz & Hunsberger 1997) on the flammability testing of mattress composites have shown that the quilting also affects burning behavior, such that quilted specimens exhibit slightly higher THR values as compared to non-quilted specimens when tested under the cone calorimeter. One of the probable reasons for this kind of fire performance may be attributed to the fact that flame spread in quilted specimens is much slower.…”

A review of fire blocking technologies for soft furnishings

“…While quilting imparts more cushioning and insulation by creating large air pockets within the quilted structure, the quilting pattern itself also impacts the burning behavior. When tested under the cone calorimeter, composite specimens with quilted tickings exhibit slightly higher total heat release rates (THR) values as compared to non-quilted ticking specimens (Fritz & Hunsberger 1997). One of the probable reasons for this kind of fire performance is that flame spread in quilted specimens is slower.…”