CPSC Issues Proposed Rule to Establish a Flammability Standard for Mattresses/Sets
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a proposed rule that would add a new Part 1633 to 16 CFR in order to establish a flammability standard that would address open flame ignition of mattresses and mattress and foundation sets (mattresses/sets).
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(The CPSC states that due to the interaction of mattresses and bedclothes (e.g., sheets, blankets, mattress pads, pillows, etc.), the CPSC has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to begin rulemaking on bedclothes. See today's ITT, 05012515, for BP summary of the CPSC's ANPR on bedclothes.)
Mattresses/Sets Would Have to Meet Two Test Criteria to Comply with Standard
With certain exceptions, the proposed standard would set forth performance requirements that each mattress/set must meet before being introduced into commerce.
According to the CPSC, a mattress specimen (a mattress or mattress and foundation set, usually in a twin size) would be exposed to a pair of T shaped propane burners, which are designed to represent burning bedclothes, and allowed to burn freely for a period of 30 minutes.
The proposed standard would establish two test criteria, both of which the mattress/set would have to meet in order to comply with the standard: (1) the peak rate of heat release for the mattress/foundation set must not exceed 200 kilowatts (kW) at any time during the 30 minute test; and (2) the total heat release must not exceed 15 megajoules (MJ) for the first 10 minutes of the test.
- comments on the proposed rule are due by March 29, 2005
- comments on the proposed information collections are due by March 14, 2005
(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/16/01 news, 01101617, for BP summary of the CPSC's October 2001 ANPR regarding a flammability standard for mattresses.)
CPSC contact - Margaret Neily (301) 504-7530
CPSC proposed rule (FR Pub 01/13/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-416.pdf