Quantifying the Ignition Propensity of Cigarettes.
Quantifying the Ignition Propensity of Cigarettes.
(1988 K)
Ohlemiller, T. J.; Villa, K. M.; Braun, E.; Eberhardt,
K. R.; Harris, R. H., Jr.; Lawson, J. R.; Gann, R. G.
Fire and Materials, Vol. 19, No. 4, 155-169,
July/August 1995.
Keywords:
cigarettes; ignition; test methods; effectiveness; data
analysis; self-extinguishment
Abstract:
Research funded under the Fire Safe Cigarette Act of
1990 (United States Public Law 101-35) has led to the
development of two test methods for measuring the
ignition propensity of cigarettes. The Mock-Up Ignition
Test Method uses substrates physically similar to
upholstered furniture and mattresses: a layer of fabric
over padding. The measure of cigarette performance is
ignition or non-ignition of the substrate. The
Cigarette Extinction Test Method replaces the
fabric/padding assembly with multiple layers of common
filter paper. The measure of performance is full-length
burning or self-extinguishment of the cigarette.
Routine measurement of the relative ignition propensity
of cigarettes is feasible using either of the two
methods. Improved cigarette performance under both
methods has been linked with reduced real-world ignition
behavior; and it is reasonable to assume that this, in
turn, implies a significant real-world benefit. Both
methods have been subjected to interlaboratory study.
The resulting reproducibilities were comparable to each
other and comparable to those in other fire test methods
currently being used to regulate materials which may be
involved in unwanted fires. Using the two methods, some
current commercial cigarettes are shown to have reduced
ignition propensities relative to the current
best-selling cigarettes.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899