Standard Test for Surface Flammability of Carpets (16 CFR 1630)

Federal law requires carpets to meet flammability standards and other requirements. Manufacturers and importers of carpets for general use must certify in a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) that the carpet complies with applicable standards after testing or a reasonable testing program to ensure conformity and/or proper labeling according to the standards.

16 CFR 1630 Testing Standard—Standard Name:

16 CFR 1630: SURFACE FLAMMABILITY OF CARPETS AND RUGS

16 CFR 1630: Standard Test for Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs

16 CFR 1630 Testing Standard—Scope of Application:

Applies to carpets used in homes, offices, or hotels that are not attached by mechanical means (such as nails, etc.), have a one-way dimension greater than 1.83 m, and a surface area greater than 2.23 m².

16 CFR 1630 Testing Standard—Testing Method:

The test involves placing eight 9-inch × 9-inch conditioned specimens on a timed burning tablet in a specified test chamber.
The instruments and testing materials required for the test are specified in 16 CFR §§ 1630.4(a) and 1631.4(a).
In general, each specimen is placed in the center of the test chamber floor, pile side up. A flattening frame is placed over the specimen, and a timed burning tablet is positioned flat in the center of the 8-inch flattening frame hole. It is ignited by touching the top of the tablet with a lit match, lighter, or other equivalent flame source. The test continues until:

(1) All flames and glow disappear, or

(2) The flame or glow has reached within 1 inch of the flattening frame.

16 CFR 1630 Testing Standard—Other Related Standards:

16 CFR 1631: Standard Test for Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs

16 CFR 1615: Standard for the Flammability of Children's Sleepwear

ISO 6941: Textile Fabrics—Burning Behavior—Measurement of Flame Spread Properties of Vertically Oriented Specimens

EN 13773: Textiles and Textile Products—Burning Behavior—Curtains and Drapes—Classification Scheme

NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire

EN 1101: Textiles and Textile Products—Burning Behavior—Curtains and Drapes—Detailed Procedure to Determine the Flammability of Vertically Oriented Specimens (Small Flame)