Flammability

ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines and

Test Method Descriptions for Knit Fabrics

ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines for Flammability and four aspects of fabric durability—Wet & Dry
Crocking, Colorfastness to Light, Physical Properties, and Abrasion—make fabric specification easier.

To give architects, designers, and end-users a vast amount of performance information in a succinct visual
way, ACT developed icons to indicate that a fabric meets or exceeds guideline requirements. Look for these
Registered Certification Marks on ACT Member Company sampling to assure that the fabrics you specify
perform up to contract standards and pass all applicable testing.

All ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines cover woven, coated and knit fabrics for indoor use. “Knit Fabrics”
are made by interlocking loops of one or more yarns.

Test methods included in the Guidelines measure fabric performance under standard laboratory conditions
and are intended to represent the most current test version. Note: Individual ACT Member product information
may represent a different version of a test method depending on the date the product was introduced
to market.

Important: These tests represent minimum requirements, which are subject to change without notice and
may not reflect requirements or laws in all locations.

Flammability ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines

The measurement of a fabric’s performance when it is exposed to specific sources of ignition.

Note: ACT guidelines specify different flammability tests dictated by the intended end use for the fabric.

Upholstery
California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 Section 1 – Pass
®
Direct Glue Wallcoverings and Adhered Panels
ASTM E84 (Adhered Mounting Method) – Class A or Class 1

Wrapped Wall Panels and Upholstered Walls

ASTM E84 (Unadhered Mounting Method) – Class A or Class 1

Panel System Furniture

Any one or combination of the following: UL recognized component under Office Panel Fabrics
category, UL 1286 Listed, ASTM E84 (Adhered or Unadhered Mounting Method) – Class A or Class 1

Drapery
NFPA 701 Method 1 or 2 as appropriate – Pass

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 Flammability
ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines and
Test Method Descriptions for Knit Fabrics

TEST METHODS

California Technical Bulletin 117-2013*

California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 Section 1 is a test method of the California Bureau of
Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation. The test uses small
cushions, which are miniatures of the seat and back, to measure the smolder resistance of the
materials used in upholstered furniture.

Section 1: Cover Fabric Test

Upholstery cover materials submitted for this section are placed over standard polyurethane foam
and tested in triplicate. A lighted cigarette is placed in the crevice formed by the vertical back and
horizontal seat cushions. Smoldering resistance is measured by the following criteria:

1. Smoldering cannot exceed 45 minutes of test duration

2. Vertical char length cannot exceed 1.8 inches (45 mm)
3. Mock-up specimen cannot transition into open flame

All three mock-up specimens must meet all three criteria in order for the cover fabric to pass the
Section 1 test.

Note: Fabrics that do not pass the Section 1: Cover Fabric Test can be used with a barrier that passes the Sec-
tion 2: Barrier Materials Test to satisfy the requirements of California TB 117-2013.

*For complete technical details about Cal TB 117-2013: http://www.bearhfti.ca.gov/about_us/tb117_2013.pdf

For a helpful FAQ document written by the State of California: http://www.bearhfti.ca.gov/about_us/tb117_faqs.pdf

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 Flammability
ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines and
Test Method Descriptions for Knit Fabrics

ASTM E84* Tunnel Test

The ASTM E84 test is a test method of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Commonly called the Tunnel Test, this test can be performed under two different methods
“adhered” or “non-adhered” where the only difference is in specimen preparation:

Adhered: The fabric is bonded to either a CA board substitute or gypsum board. This is the
prescribed method for wall coverings whose actual use will be “adhered”.

Non-adhered: If the fabric is a panel fabric or upholstered walls, it is tested in a frame

without being bonded to any other material.

In each instance (adhered and non-adhered), the fabric is placed in the ceiling of the test tunnel
and subjected at one end to a high intensity flame which spreads over the first 4.5 feet of the
24-foot test specimen.

The distance of flame front progression and total burning time are used to calculate a “flame
spread index.” Smoke monitors are used to calculate a “smoke developed” value. The flame
spread index and smoke developed value are calculated from the results of the test fabric
compared to the characteristics of cement board and red oak materials resulting in the indexes.

Typically, the code classes are as follows:

Class A: Flame Spread Index of 25 or less and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less
Class B: Flame Spread Index of 26 to 75 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less
Class C: Flame Spread Index of 76 to 200 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less

Caution: The ASTM E84 test is only valid if the textile or vinyl wall covering is used in a
sprinklered occupancy. If not, the Room Corner Test (NFPA 265 for textiles; and NFPA 286 for
vinyl) is mandated in many jurisdictions.

*For complete technical details about ASTM E84: http://www.astm.org

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 Flammability
ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines and
Test Method Descriptions for Knit Fabrics

NFPA 701*
NFPA 701 is a test standard of the National Fire Protection Agency. It measures the flame-resistant
properties of various textiles and plastics.

A product will pass or fail based on a review of the results obtained by either Test Method 1 or
Test Method 2. Appropriate test method is determined by material weight, composition, and
application (as directed by standard).

Criteria for Test Method 1

Flaming Drip: Maximum average of 2.0 seconds
Weight Loss: Maximum average loss of 40 percent

Criteria for Test Method 2 (Flat)

After Flame: Maximum 2.0 seconds
Drip Burn: Maximum 2.0 seconds
Char Length: Maximum 435 mm

Criteria for Test Method 2 (Folded)

After Flame: Maximum 2.0 seconds
Drip Burn: Maximum 2.0 seconds
Char Length: Maximum 1,050 mm

*For complete technical details about NFPA701: http://www.nfpa.org

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 Flammability
ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines and
Test Method Descriptions for Knit Fabrics

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMERS REGARDING ACT’S

VOLUNTARY PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

As noted above, ACT’s Voluntary Performance Guidelines (“Guidelines”) and associated symbols (“Marks”) are
for information purposes only and are made available to help assist specifiers and end-users in evaluating certain
characteristics of contract textiles.

Neither the Guidelines, nor the Marks constitute any promise, representation or warranty that a product or
sample that bears or to which a Mark is referenced will in fact comply with applicable federal, state, or municipal
laws, codes, rules and regulations concerning the intended use of such product (“Laws”), nor any assurance,
representation or guarantee regarding or relating in any manner to the safety of any product or sample that bears
or, to which a Mark is referenced.

Whenever appropriate, specifiers and end users should seek the advice of professionals or other knowledgeable
persons to ascertain whether a product will in fact comply with applicable Laws.

Understand that the testing and standards (“Standards”) referenced in the Guidelines are developed and promulgated
by third parties not associated with ACT, and that these Standards often change or are supplemented by such
third parties. Accordingly, the fact that a particular Standard is referenced in the Guidelines (and/or associated
with any Mark) does not mean, nor is it intended to be a representation that Standard is the most current one.

It is the responsibility of the contract textile vendor and/or the manufacturer (not ACT) to determine in all
instances whether or not a textile meets each of the Standards to which a particular Mark is referenced.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONTRACT TEXTILES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY TO ANY AND ALL PERSONS AND
ENTITIES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND ANY OTHER DAMAGE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE,
(WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DAMAGES ARE DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR COMPENSATORY) RESULTING
FROM, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THE GUIDELINES AND MARKS.

The marks , , , , , , are Registered Certification Marks at the US Patent and Trademark Office and are
owned by the Association for Contract Textiles, Inc.

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