Flammability Testing

The flammability of a product can turn it from a household or workplace item into a hazard quickly. This is why understanding and establishing the flammability of certain products is of the utmost importance.

ACT LAB provides comprehensive flammability testing to keep companies and consumers safe. Depending on your product, our testing services can help you to meet regulatory requirements in your local or global market.

What is flammability testing?

At ACT LAB we perform the following flammability tests:

• CPSC 16 CFR 1500.44 – Method for Determining Extremely Flammable and Flammable Solids
  • A flammable solid is defined as “a solid substance that when tested by the method in method 1500.44 ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than one-tenth of an inch per second along its major axis.”
• CPSC 16 CFR 1610 – Flammability of Clothing Textiles
  • Plain Surface Fabrics: Refers to any fabric that does not have an intentionally raised fiber or yard surface. Specimens will be deemed acceptable if they either do not ignite and/or are ignited but can be self-extinguished.
  • Raised Surface Fabrics: Refers to any fabric that does have an intentionally raised fiber or yarn surface. Specimens will be deemed acceptable if they either do not ignite and/or are ignited but can be self-extinguished.
  • Exceptions: Include gloves, footwear, interlining fabrics, plain surface fabrics weighing 2.6 oz/square yard or more, and fabrics made entirely of wool, acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, and modacrylic.

While not mandatory, general use adult products can also be tested under CPSC 16 CFR 1500.44. When deciding whether testing is worth testing, the product should be considered for its “reasonably forseeable handling or use.”

A Note About Children’s Toys

If you are producing products for children 12 and under you are obliged to adhere to certain regulations when it comes to flammability. All toys, with the exception of textiles and paper, cannot be flammable. This standard has been set by the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety or ASTM F962.

How do I know if my product requires flammability testing?

The FHSA pertains to products “during reasonably foreseeable purchase, storage, or use, may be brought into or around a place where people live.” This includes products that are used and/or stored in a garage, shed, or any other part of a household. If a tested product is flammable, it must undergo proper labeling to warn consumers and instruct of proper handling.

If you are wondering if your product is subject to flammability regulations, please reach out to us for more information.

About ACT-LAB

ACT-LAB is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory that conducts consumer product safety and compliance testing for an active world. We can help ensure that your products both meet industry standards and are inspected to ensure the utmost quality.

To learn more about our tests contact us today.

Read more about our accreditations here.