NIST calls for new furniture flammability test

摘要

Gaithersburg, Maryland - Researchers at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new method to evaluate soft furnishing's flammability using a smouldering model after the key California regulation removed an open-flame test. The Cal-117 flammability standard is the US de facto regulation and Chemtura has already filed a legal challenge to the change (p7). Now NIST researchers say Cal-117 inhibits smouldering. Under current standards, two fabric-covered foam pieces are positioned like seat and back cushions on a wooden structure with a consistently-burning cigarette between the two pieces.