Which textiles require flame retardancy testing?

Almost all textile materials are flammable. Flame retardant treatment can reduce the burning rate of textiles, improve their self-extinguishing ability after removal from a fire source, and prevent smoldering.

Flame retardancy testing generally evaluates the flame retardancy of textiles from two perspectives: the textile's ignition ease, and the textile's ability to delay the spread, propagation, and diffusion of flames. Generally, an oxygen index below 20% is considered flammable, an oxygen index between 20% and 26% is considered combustible, an oxygen index between 26% and 34% is considered flame-retardant, and an oxygen index above 34% is considered non-flammable.

With the development of urban modernization, awareness of textile flame retardancy is growing. To prevent textile-related fires and minimize unnecessary losses, countries around the world have placed increasing emphasis on flame retardancy testing in recent years. Flame retardancy regulations, tailored to the specific uses of textiles, have expanded from aircraft interior textiles, carpets, and building materials to pajamas, furniture upholstery, and interior decorations. Countries like the UK, the US, and Japan have also enacted laws requiring clothing and pajamas for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities to be labeled "flame-retardant tested."

As protective equipment used in fire and other rescue operations, firefighter uniforms must undergo rigorous flame retardancy testing. Hohenstein utilizes various testing procedures to evaluate the heat and fire protection of textiles, clothing, and seams. Flame retardancy testing of firefighter protective equipment is performed according to the following standards.

Firefighter Clothing EN 469:2005 + A1:2006 + AC:2006

Wildfire Fighting Clothing EN 15614:2007

Protective Headgear EN 13911:2017

HuPF Universal Fire Fighting Clothing Production and Test Instructions Parts 1 to 4

Firefighter Protective Gloves EN 659:2003 + A1:2008

In addition to flame retardancy testing, Hohenstein also uses the following standards to evaluate the thermal protection of textiles and clothing, protecting wearers from heat and flames in a variety of applications.

Protective Clothing - Heat and Flame Resistant Clothing EN ISO 11612:2015 and EN ISO 14116:2015;

Heat-Proofing Gloves EN 407:2004;

HuPF Universal Fire Fighting Clothing - Production and Test Instructions Parts 2 and 3;

Product Example: Fabric Horizontal Burning Tester

Product details

Horizontal Flammability Tester; Mainly used to determine the horizontal burning rate of materials used in the occupant compartment of road vehicles (for example, passenger cars, trucks, estate cars, coaches), and tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry, after exposure to a small flame.

Standards:

ISO 3795. FMVSS 302. DIN 75200. SAE J369. ASTM D5132. JIS D1201. AU 169

Features:

A. Comprises a draft-free stainless steel cabinet with an observation window, stainless steel (#316) with stands high temperature and high pressure.

B.Impending tympanic membrane structure provided with steel springs and damping system, which makes the operation stable.

C.Designed with sample holder and door mounted burner.

D.Basic mode with manual control of timing.

E.Sample holder can be moving vertically and horizontally.

F.Optional Automatic Gas Control System including solenoid control gas value and automatic ignition timer and controls.