Measuring the Ignition Propensity of Cigarettes.
Measuring the Ignition Propensity of Cigarettes.
(549 K)
Gann, R. G.
Volume 1;
Interflam 2007. (Interflam '07). International
Interflam Conference, 11th Proceedings. Volume 1.
September 3-5, 2007, London, England, 145-155 pp, 2007.
Keywords:
cigarettes; ignition; substrates; regulations;
effectiveness; furniture; upholstered furniture;
mattresses; legislation; cushions; reproducibility; ASTM
E 2187
Abstract:
Cigarettes are the largest single cause of fire deaths
in the United States, about 800 people per year over the
past decade. The 30,000 fires annually have also
resulted in nearly 2,000 reported injuries per year. As
long as 15 years ago, the total direct cost of these
fires was $4 billion annually. The typical scenario is
that a dropped cigarette ignites a bed or upholstered
chair. The smoke from the ensuing smoldering threatens
those who remain in close proximity to the point of
ignition. If the smoldering transitions to flaming,
those elsewhere in the fire room or the dwelling are at
risk. The historical approach to mitigating these losses
has been to manufacture soft furnishings (upholstered
furniture and mattresses) that are resistant to
cigarette ignition. These designs, coupled with the rise
of household smoke detectors, have reduced the losses to
the levels cited above. Further gains depend on reducing
the severity of the ignition source itself.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899