ASTM E2574/E2574M-12a

In this test method fire test response characteristics of a school bus seat assembly are assessed following ignition by a square gas burner.

This test method is similar in concept to a fire test currently used, and which has been in such use for many years, as the industry standard for flammability testing of school bus seats (see Appendix X1). However, in this test method the paper bag has been replaced by a gas burner as the ignition source.

The US federal government has issued a flammability test applicable to interior materials in road vehicles, FMVSS 302. FMVSS 302 remains the only regulatory test for assessing fire-test-response characteristics of school bus seats.

ASTM has issued Test Method D5132 in order to provide a more standardized way of conducting FMVSS 302.

The test method described in this document provides a significantly higher challenge to school bus seats than the FMVSS 302 federal regulatory test. Therefore, any seat assembly that performs acceptably in this test is likely to meet the requirements of FMVSS 302.

It is clear that those seat assemblies that exhibit little or no flame spread, short times to flame extinction and little mass loss in this test are likely to exhibit improved performance in an actual fire situation compared to seat assemblies that burn vigorously and have high mass loss.

This test is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to these fire conditions, will become fully involved in fire from other products that will not.

1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.

1.2 This test method assesses the burning behavior of upholstered seating used in school buses by measuring specific fire-test responses when a school bus seat specimen is subjected to a specified flaming ignition source under normally ventilated conditions.

1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner.

1.4 This fire test is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to an ignition source, will become fully involved in fire from other products that will not.

1.5 Data are obtained describing the burning behavior of the seat assemblies from a specific ignition source until all burning has ceased.

1.6 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of upholstered seating in fire conditions other than those conditions specified.

1.7 The burning behavior is visually documented by photographic or video recordings, whenever possible.

1.8 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.9 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.

1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

1.11 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.