ISO 12949:2011

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12949
First edition
2011-11-01
Standard test method for measuring
the heat release rate of low flammability
mattresses and mattress sets
Méthode d’essai normalisée pour mesurer le débit calorifique de
matelas et d’éléments de matelas à inflammabilité réduite
Reference number
©
ISO 2011
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword . v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Summary of test method . 2
5 Significance and use . 2
6 Apparatus and equipment . 2
6.1 Test area . 2
6.2 Test frame . 5
6.3 Ignition source . 6
6.4 Fuel supply and control .10
6.5 Ignition burner gas flow . 11
7 Test specimens .12
8 Test preparation .12
8.1 Specimen conditioning .12
8.2 Instrument calibration .13
8.3 Specimen orientation .13
8.4 Burner set-up .13
8.5 Burner alignment procedure .14
8.6 Video recording .17
9 Test procedure .18
9.1 Safety precautions .18
9.2 Burner preparation .18
9.3 Initiation of recording systems .18
9.4 Test initiation .18
9.5 Test conduct .19
10 Test report .19
Annex A (informative) Reducing fire hazards associated with mattress flammability .21
Bibliography .23
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12949 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 92, Fire safety, Subcommittee SC 1, Fire initiation
and growth.
iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

Introduction
A typical bed consists of several components, including a mattress, a foundation, and a collection of bedclothes
(e.g. mattress pad, sheets, pillows, blankets, quilts and/or comforters). Mattress and bedding fires are a major
[1]
contributor to residential fire deaths . A significant portion of these deaths and injuries results from fires in
which the bedclothes are the first items ignited, and those flames ignite the mattress or foundation. In the
United States, approximately two-thirds of all deaths from flaming bed fires occur after the room has reached
[2]
the point of flashover . This accounts for nearly all the fatalities that occur outside the room of fire origin and
about half of the fatalities that occur within the room of origin.
A burning mattress is generally the primary energy contributor to a fatal bedroom fire. Once the mattress
is ignited, the fire develops rapidly. Room flashover occurs at heat release rates near or above 1 000 kW
[3]
(1 MW) for small-to-medium size bedrooms . 1 m wide mattresses, without bedclothes, have been shown to
[3]
reach peak heat release rates of 2 MW and flash over a room in less than 300 s . In addition, a typical set
of bedclothes on a 1 m wide bed can lead to a fire whose peak rate of heat release is approximately 100 kW
[4] [5]
to 200 kW , with values up to 400 kW possible for the heaviest sets . A bed clothes fire can become
[6]
appreciably more threatening on larger beds .
It follows that a significant reduction in bed fire fatalities can be achieved by reducing the combined peak heat
release rate of a bed, the bedclothes, and other furnishings ignited by the bedclothes to a level well below
1 MW. Current regulation in the United States limits the peak rate of heat release of a mattress and foundation
[7], [8]
to 200 kW and the total heat release to 15 MJ during the first 10 min of the test . Combined with the
typical heat release rate of the bedclothes, which generally occurs well before the peak heat release from
the mattress, the overall heat release rate from the burning bed is substantially below the value that leads to
room flashover. Furthermore, as the intensity of the bed fire is decreased this much, there is an accompanying
reduction in the spatial extent of the radiant heat from flames. This reduces the likelihood that other bedroom
furnishings will be ignited by the bed fire and greatly increases the time available for occupants to recognize
and escape the fire.
This International Standard addresses a fire hazard scenario different from one in which a cigarette ignites the
bed and threatens people who might be asleep on the bed with their heads near the location of the dropped
cigarette. The resulting deaths most often result from inhalation of the toxic fumes from the smouldering fire
and are distinct from the deaths that are to be averted by limiting the flaming intensity of the bed fire. In several
[9]
countries, mattresses are tested for cigarette ignition resistance , which reduces the likelihood of smouldering
fires, but infrequently addresses the fire hazard addressed by this International Standard.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12949:2011(E)
Standard test method for measuring the heat release rate of low
flammability mattresses and mattress sets
WARNING — So that suitable precautions can be taken to safeguard health, the attention of all
concerned with fire tests is drawn to the possibility that toxic or harmful gases are evolved during
combustion of test specimens.
The test procedures involve high temperatures. Hazards can therefore exist for burns and ignition of
extraneous objects or clothing. The operators should use protective clothing, helmets, face-shields,
and breathing equipment for avoiding exposure to toxic gases.
Laboratory safety procedures should be set up to ensure the safe termination of tests. It is imperative
that adequate means of extinguishing such a fire are provided.
1 Scope
This International Standard provides a full-scale test method for determining the heat release rate and total
heat release from a mattress or a mattress and foundation. The test specimen is ignited by exposure to a pair
[5]
of gas burners that simulate burning bedclothes . The measurement capability is designed for mattress sets
of low flammability, i.e. having a peak rate of heat release below 300 kW.
This International Standard applies to mattresses and mattress and foundation sets. This International Standard
does not apply to mattress pads, pillows, blankets, or other items used on top of a mattress.
This International Standard is a performance standard and does not prescribe the use of any specific
components, fire retardant chemicals, or materials, and does not prescribe any design features that might lead
to improved or degraded performance of a mattress set.
Annex A describes an analysis that indicates the potential reduction in life loss achievable by limiting the
magnitude of the bed fire.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9705, Fire tests — Full-scale room test for surface products
ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
ISO 24473, Fire tests — Open calorimetry — Measurement of the rate of production of heat and combustion
products for fires of up to 40 MW
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following apply.
3.1
foundation
ticking-covered structure used to support a mattress or other sleep surface
3.2
mattress
resilient material, used alone or in combination with other materials, enclosed in a ticking, and intended or
promoted for sleeping upon
3.3
mattress set
mattress and foundation labelled for sale as a single unit or a mattress labelled for sale without any foundation
3.4
tape edge
edge made by using binding tape to encase and finish raw edges of a mattress or foundation
3.5
ticking
outermost layer of fabric or related material of a mattress or foundation
NOTE This does not include any layers of fabric or related materials that are quilted together with the outermost layer
of fabric or related material.
4 Summary of test method
This test method measures the flammability performance of a mattress or mattress set by exposing the
specimen to a specified flaming ignition source and allowing it to burn freely in a controlled test area. The test
area shall be one of two configurations, either an open calorimeter, as in ISO 24473, or a test room meeting
specified dimensions and connected to a collection hood. The flaming ignition source is specified as a pair of
propane burners, simulating burning bedclothes, that impose differing heat fluxes for differing times on the top
and side of the test specimen. Measurements of the time-dependent heat release rate from the test specimen
are made during and after exposure to the specified burners in order to quanti
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