Horizontal Burn Rate of Cloth (Method 5906)

Test Sample Requirements

Test samples must meet the following requirements:

• The standard sample size is 4-1/2-inch x 12-1/2-inch.
• A minimum of 5 samples must be tested.
• If the material could react differently depending which direction it is cut, it must be tested in two directions. For example, woven materials (e.g. carpet, fabric, etc.) must be tested with 5 samples cut up the roll and 5 samples cut across the roll.

History of the Horizontal Burn Rate of Cloth (Method 5906)

Federal specification CCC-T-191 was issued in 1941 and superseded by FED-STD-191 in 1968. Both specifications included test methods for textile materials and is still in use by U.S. federal agencies for procurement of textile materials. FED-STD-191 was prepared in order to eliminate unnecessary or undesirable variations in other general procedures. The standard contains 200+ methods, each of which describe the general physical, chemical, or biological methods for testing textile fabrics, yarn, thread, rope, cordage, cloth, or fabricated textile products.

FED-STD-191 Method 5906 is intended for use in determining the comparative rates of burning of cloth. The method is satisfactory for cloth that has not been flameproofed, including pile and napped cloth. This test method is the precursor to the automotive FMVSS 302 test method and the aerospace Horizontal Burn test method, among others.

Sources: FED-STD-191A

Additional Resources