United Kingdom Experimental Method for Flammability of Textile Fabrics

RFQ Details

BS 5438 was developed by the United Kingdom Standards Institution (BSI) to provide a method for testing the flammability of textiles when exposed to a small flame applied to the surface or bottom edge of a vertically oriented sample.


The standard consists of three parts:
Which may be used either in sequence or individual
(1)Test1:A wide vertical strip of the fabric or assembly is taken, and a specified small butane flame is applied to the face of the strip for prescribed times.The minimum flame application time is found that causes ignition of the specimen.
(2)Test2:A wide vertical strip of the fabric or assembly is taken and a specified small butane flame is applied to the face of the strip for a prescribed times.The extent of vertical and horizontal spread of flame is observed.
(3)Test3:A wide vertical strip of the fabric or assembly is taken and a specified small butane flame is applied to the face of the strip for a prescribed times.The rates of vertical and horizontal spread, of flame are measured.


Fabrics are divided into 3 categories according to their flammability:
Category 1: These are textiles that exhibit a high level of fire resistance.
Category 2: Fabrics classified as Class 2 indicate a moderate level of fire resistance.
Category 3: Textile fabrics belonging to Category 3 have a low level of fire resistance.


Other relevant standards:
ASTM D6413: Burning Behavior of Textiles - Vertical Method
ASTM D 4151: Flammability Test for Blankets
ASTM D1230: Standard Test Method for Flammability of Clothing and Textiles
ISO 6941: Textile fabrics - Burning behavior - Determination of flame spread performance in vertical direction samples
CAN/CGSB-4.2 NO.27.1: Textile Testing Methods - Flame Resistance - Vertical Combustion Test
AS 2755.1: Textile fire resistance testing - Vertical sample ignitability test