DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
ICS: 97.140  
 
© EAC 2022                                                                                                                        First Edition 2022   
 
DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
 
Mattresses  — Specification  – Part 1: Flexible Polyurethane foams   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  DEAS 1115 -1: 2022  
ii © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
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Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  Violators 
may be prosecuted . DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged th at through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged within 
the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committee  (EASC)  mandated to develop and issue 
East African Standards  (EAS) . The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies 
in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector organizations  in the 
community .  
East African Standards are d eveloped through  Technical Committees that are representative of key 
stakeholders including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders through the National  Standards Bodies in the Partner 
States. The comments received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance 
with the Principles and procedures for development of East African Standards.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the late st versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible  for this document is Technical Committee EASC/TC 069 , Organic and Inorganic 
chemicals.  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be subject of patent rights. 
EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
DEAS 1115  consists of the following parts, under the general title mattresses — Specification  —:  
⎯ Part 1: Flexible polyurethane foams  
⎯ Part 2: Spring mattresses  
 
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
 
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  1 
 Mattresses  — Specification  – Part 1: Flexible polyurethane foams   
1 Scope   
This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for flexible polyurethane foams 
mattresses . This standard does  not cover orthopaedic  and reconstituted  mattress es.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document.  For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 13934 -2, Textiles - Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 2: Determination of maximum force using the grab 
method  
ISO 13934 -1, Textile - Tensile properties of fabrics - Part 1: Determination of maximum force and elongation at 
maximum force using the strip method  
ISO 105 -C10, Methods for the determination of colour fastness of textile Materials to washing  
ISO 105 -D01, Method for determination  of colour fastness of textile materials to dry  cleaning  
 
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard,  the following and terms and definitions shall apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1 block   
mass of polyurethane foam formed by a free -rising foam process, in its original form prior to conversion.  
 
3.2 bursting strength  
the force required to rupture a fabric by distending it with pressure applied at right angles to the plane of the 
fabric  
 
3.3 breaking strength  
the maximum load (or force) supported by a specimen in a tensile test carried to rupture  
 
3.4 defective     
foam that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevant requirements of the specification  
 
3.5 polyurethane foam    
the foam in which the polyol component is either polyether or polyester and produced by the reaction of polyol 
with an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of water, and that may include catalysts, surface -active agents, 
auxiliary blowing agents, fillers  plasticizers, colourants, and any other additives that do not adversely affect the 
properties of the foam.  
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
2 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 3.6 lot    
not less than 1 m3 and not more than 100 m3 of foam of the same grade, and nominal dimensions, from one 
manufacturer, submitted at any one time for inspection and testing.  
 
3.7 tick  
a suitable outer cover that provides a comforting top layer of the mattress  
 
3.8 warp  
yarns / threads lying lengthways in a fabric as woven  
 
3.9 weft  
yarns / threads lying width ways in a fabric as woven (at right angles to the warp)  
 
3.10 yarn  
a generic term for a continuous strand of textile fibres or filaments without twisting, suitable for plying,  
knitting, braiding, weaving or otherwise intertwining to form a textile end product  
3.11 tensile strength   
stress at the breaking point of a specimen  
 
3.12 elongation at break (ultimate elongation)    
percentage strain produced in a specimen stretched to its breaking point  
 
3.13 m attress  
product providing a surface to sleep or rest upon, that is fit for use by human beings for a long period of time, 
consisting of a strong cloth cover filled with materials, and that can be placed on an existing supporting bed 
structure  
3.14 p olyurethane foam  
cellular material produced by the reaction of a p olyol with an organic isocyanate in the presence of water and 
that may include catalysts, surface active agents, auxiliary blowing agents, fillers, plasticizers, colourants and 
any other additives that do not alter the properties of the foam  
 
4 Requirement s 
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1 The flexible polyurethane (polyether) foams mattresses  shall be in four grades:  
a) Light duty grade   
b) Medium duty grade   
c) Heavy duty grade  
d) Superior heavy -duty grade  
 
4.1.2  Flexible polyurethane foam shall not contain impurities or harmful residues such as amines which are 
volatile and driven off by heat generated in the formation of foam.  
 
4.1.3  Adhesives used shall be either nitrile or neoprene based. If neoprene -based  adhesives are used, they 
shall not have acidity o f more than pH 3.5. The adhesives shall be able to withstand heat and moisture 
treatments as effectively as the foam itself.  
 
4.1.4  Flexible  Polyurethane  foam core shall be clean in appearance and free from any objectionable odour and 
any residual amines likely to be harmful to human tissues.  
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  3 
 4.1.5  The mattress core shall be flexible polyurethane foam of polyester or polyether type which is defined as 
expanded cellular product produced by interaction of polyhydroxy compound, water and isocyanate.  
 
4.1.6  The Polyurethane  foam mattress shall consist of cells of uniform characteristics which are essentially 
open and inter - connecting.  
 
4.2 Specific requirements  
4.2.1  Flexible polyurethane foam mattress shall comply with requirement specified in Table 1  when tested in 
accordance with method prescribed there in. 
Table 1: Specific requirements for domestic f lexible polyurethane foam  mattresses  
SL. No  Characteristic  Requirement  Test 
method  
i)  Compression set, %, max  
 
 Light duty grade  12  
Annex A  Medium duty grade  10  
Heavy duty grade  8 
Superior heavy -duty 
grade  5  
ii)  
 
 
 Density, kg/m3, min  
 
 
 Light duty grade  19.5 
Annex B  Medium duty grade  25  
Heavy duty grade  30  
Superior heavy -duty 
grade  35 
 
iii)  Durability, %, max  40 Annex C  
iv)  Tensile strength,  N/mm2, 
min 
  Light duty grade  0.069  
Annex D Medium duty grade  0.083  
Heavy duty grade  0.098  
Superior heavy -duty 
grade  0.118  
v)  Elongation at break  
• Original, %, min.  
• After heat aging, 
retention of original, %, 
min.     
200 
 
80 Annex D 
vi)  Heat ageing,  retention of original , %, min  80  Annex E  
vii)  Tensile strength after humid aging, retention of original, 
%, min.  80  Annex F  
viii)  Porosity  report  Annex G 
ix)  Flammability  
 
 (a) No specimen shall burn for 
3 min or more; and  
(b)  No specimen shall burn 
beyond the gauge line  Annex H  
x)  
Hardness factor, (all grades)  3.6 - 14.4 Annex I  
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
4 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 4.2.2  The cover of flexible polyurethane foam mattresses  shall be  of a woven ticking, or a knitted ticking and 
shall conform to the specific requirements given in Table 2 when tested in accordance with the methods 
prescribed therein.  
Table 2 - Specific requirements for ticking  of flexible polyurethane foam mattresses  
SL. 
No Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i)  Breaking 
strength  
(woven 
ticking) N, 
min.  Light  medium  Heavy  and 
super 
heavy  
ISO 13934 -1 
 Polyester  Warp  350 450 600 
Weft 280 300 350 
Nylon  Warp  350 450 700 
Weft 280 300 350 
Cellulosic  Warp  250 300 450 
Weft 160 200 280 
Polyester/  
Nylon/Cell  
ulosic  
Blends  Warp  300 350 500 
Weft 
 
 180 200 250 
ii)  Bursting strength (knitted 
ticking), KPa, min.   
 
Polyester   
 
200  
 
 
ISO 13934 -2 Nylon  200 
Cellulosic  150 
Polyester/  
Nylon/Cell  
ulosic  160 
iii)  Mass in g/m2 (min.)  
 
  
 Light  medium  Heavy  and super 
heavy  
Annex J Polyester  68 68 120  
Nylon  68 68 120 
Cellulosic  85 110 200 
Polyester/  
Nylon/Cell  
ulosic  
Blends  60 80 150 
iv)  Colour fastness to washing  Change in 
colour, rating, 
min.  
 
4 ISO105 -C10 Staining of 
transfer cloths, 
rating, min  
v)  Colour fastness to dry -
cleaning  
 Change in 
colour, rating, 
min.  
 
4  ISO 105 -D01 Staining of 
transfer cloths, 
rating, min  
vi)  Flammability  To comply with  
flammability requirements given in x) of table 1  Annex H 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  5 
 4.2.3  When tested in accordance with Annex K, the mattress shall conform to the dimensions declared on 
the label subject to the following tolerance limits (mm)  
• Length = 0 - +40 for 1800 – 2000  
• Width = 0 - +10 for 750 – 900 
• Width = 0 - +25 for 901 – 1350  
• Length = 0 - +40 for 1351 – 2000  
• Thickness = 0 - +5 for 750 – 150 
 
4.2.4  Top skin of polyurethane foam  mattress shall be:  
a) with a minimum density of 24kg/m;  
b) practically free from cracks; and  
c) with a minimum thickness of 1.5 mm  
5 Packaging  
 
Flexible polyurethane foam  mattresses shall be individually wrapped in suitable materials  that prevent any 
damage, gross and distortion to contents during storage and transportation.  
6 Labelling  
Each Flexible polyurethane foam  mattresses shall be legibly and indelibly labelled , in English and/or any other 
official language (French, Kiswahili,  etc) used in the importing East African Partner State with the following 
information:  
 
6.1 on the outer upper  waist of the mattress or a label attached on it : 
 
a) grade of foam mattress ; 
b) nominal length, width and thickness ; 
c) registered trade name of the product if any ; 
d) name of the manufacturer ; 
e) batch number/lot number ; 
f) date of manufacture ; 
g) country of origin ; and  
h) disposal instructions and precautionary statements . 
 
6.2 on the foam : 
a) grade of foam mattress ; 
b) nominal length, width and thickness ; 
c) name of the manufacturer ; 
d) batch number/lot number ; and  
e) country of origin.   
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
6 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 7 Sampling  
Representative samples shall be taken according to the sampling plan given in Table 4.  
Each sample shall consist of the following:  
a) for inspection, a complete piece; and  
b) for testing, pieces of total volume of at least 0.01 m3.  
 
Table 4 — Sampling plan  
Number of mattresses in the lot  Number of samples to be selected  
2 - 8 2 
9 - 15 3 
16 - 25 5 
26 - 50 8 
51 – 90 13 
91 - 150 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  7 
 Annex A  
(normative)  
Compression Set Test  
The test consists of maintaining the foam specimen under specified conditions of temperature and observing 
the degree of recovery within a specified time after release.  
A.1 Apparatus  
The apparatus consists of two flat plates of 200 mm x 200 mm, with appropriate spacers and clamps to keep 
the plates parallel to each other when clamped with specimen between the plates.  
A.2 Test specimen  
Cut the test specimen from a foam slab which has been cured for 48 hours at room temperature in such a way 
that the l oad is applied in the direction of the rise of the foam to get specimen of 50 mm x 50 mm x  25 mm. Test 
specimens shall be  free from any contamination and skin on the vertical sides. When thin materi als are to be 
tested, sufficient specimens of 50 mm x 50 mm shall be taken so that the sum of their thickness before 
compression is at least 25 mm. The specimens shall be plied together and interleaved with photo graphic glass -
mounting slides where the number of plies is greater than two, and the complete assemb ly shall be treated 
during the test as single thick specimen.  
Condition the test specimens at 27°C ± 2°C and 65 ± 5 per cent relative humidity for 6 hours before testing. A 
minimum of 3 specimens shall be tested for 50 or 75 percent compression of its thi ckness. In special cases a 
compression of 90 per cent may be agreed upon.  
A.3 Procedure  
A soft material dial thickness gauge is  used for measuring the thickness of the specimen. In case of thin  material 
calculate the thickness of the foam by deducting th e aggregate thickness of the glass slides from the measured 
total thickness of the assembly. The specimen shall then be put between the plates and with the help of spacers 
subjected to 50 per cent deflection. The whole assembly is then stored under standar d atmospheric conditions 
for 70 hours or at 70°C ± 2C for 22 hours. After this duration, the plates are removed and the specimen is 
allowed to recover for at least 30 minutes under standard testing conditions.  
The thickness is measured again with the soft  material dial thickness gauge. The same procedure is fol lowed 
for 75 or 90 per cent deflection.  
A.4 Calculation and reporting  
Compression set at the rate of 50 percent deflection  
ℎ0− ℎ50 ×100 
Compression set at the rate of 75 percent deflection  
 
ℎ0− ℎ75 ×100 
 Compression set at the rate of 90 percent deflection  
ℎ0− ℎ90 ×100 
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
8 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 where  
h0 is an  original height of the specimen in mm,  
h50 is a final height of the specimen in mm after 50 percent d eflection test  
h75 is a final height of the specimen in mm after 75 per cent deflection test  
h90 is a final height of the specimen in mm after 90 per cent deflection test  
Average of the values obtained from the three samples tested shall be reported.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex B 
(normative)  
Determination of density  
B.1 Apparatus  
B.1.1 Soft material thickness gauge for measurement of linear dimensions up to 100  mm with an accuracy of 
one percent.  
B.1.2 Balance  
Capable of weighing the test specimen to an accuracy of one per cent of the total mass.  
 
B.2 Test specimen   
Obtain test specimens, of regular shape not less than 100  mm x 100  mm x  100 mm, one each from top, mid dle 
and bottom portions of the foam slab with respect to direction of rise of foam, cured for 48 hours at room 
temperature. Condition the specimens for 6 hours at 27  °C ± 2°C and at 65  % ± 5 % relative humidity before 
testing.  
B.3 Number of specimens   
Unless otherwise specified three specimens shall be tested.  
B.4 Linear dimension  
B.4.1 Measurement below 100  mm linear dimension  
Set the dial at zero. Place the specimen centrally below the foot. Lower the foot with the application of the 
specified load. Note the reading taking into account the metallic spacers used, if any. Repeat this thrice in each 
direction for every specimen.  
B.4.2 Measurement above 100  mm linear dimension  
Place the specimen on a plane table and measure the dimension with vernier caliper or steel tape accurately. 
Repeat this thrice for every specimen.  
 
B.4 Procedure  
Determine the linear dimensions as described in B.4.4.1 and B.4.4.2 Weigh the specimens on a balance with 
an accuracy of one per cent of the total mass.  
B.5 Calculation  
Density (P) kg/m = 𝑚
𝑣 ×1 000 
where  
m is a mass of specimen in g, and  
V is a volume of the specimen in cm  
B.6 Report   
Report the mean density of the three specimens tested.  DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
10 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 Annex C  
(normative)  
Durability Test  
C.1 Test specimen  
The test is conducted on a sample of the foam 15 in x  15 in x 4  in thick (381 mm x  381 mm x  120mm) and 
constructed in the same way as the mattress core (e.g. if the core is laminated, then the laminated test piece 
should be used).  
C.2 Procedure  
After conditioning, the block is supported on a smooth, horizontal and rigid surfa ce, suitably vented to allow the 
escape of air. The block is then subjected to repeated indentation at a rate of 120 cycles per minute for 32 hours 
(230, 400 cycles). To prevent the block moving during pounding, cotton strips may be stuck to the bottom of the 
foam and held to the base plate with clips. The load applied by the indentor shall be measur able and the 
maximum load of the stroke is adjusted periodically to maintain, it at 70 kg.  
The indentor shall be 8 in (203 mm) in diameter with rounding off r adius of 1 in, ie. overall diameter of 10 in (254 
mm) indentation hardness shall be read within 5 minutes of the end of pounding.  
 
 
Annex D 
(normative)  
Tensile strength Test 
D.1 Apparatus  
The apparatus consists of a power -driven machine (medium load tensile tester) with the following provisions:  
a) sensitive dial indicator which remains at the point of maximum load after rupture of the specimen and 
measures the tension at the point,  
b) suitable grips for holding the specimen,  
c) rate of travel of power actuated grip shall be 500mm ± 50 mm per minute and uniform at all times and  
d) the total capacity of the tester be such that the ultimate load is at least one -fifth of the total capacity of the 
machine.  
D.2 Test specimen  
Punch the specimen in the shape of a dumb -bell shown in the figure  D.1 below by means of a sharp die out of 
a foam sheet of 10mm or 20 mm thickness. The foam sheet shall be cut vertically in the direction of the rise of 
the foam with the help of a splitting machine, from the foam slab cured at room temperature for 48 hours. 
Condition the test specimen at 27°C ± 2C and 65 ± 5 percent relative humidity for 6 hours before testing.  Three 
specimens shall be tested.  DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  11 
  
 
Figure  D.1 dumb -bell test piece  
 
D.3 Procedure  
D.3.1 Determine the thickness and width of the specimen accurately by means of a vernier  caliper or soft 
material thickness gauge as described in clause 3. Make two -gauge marks 50 mm apart as shown in the figure.  
D.3.2 Clamp the specimen in the grips. The minimum separation between the grips shall be 65 mm. Adjust the 
specimen symmetrically between the grips for uniform distribution of the tension applied over the cross -section.  
D.3.3 Start the machine and note continuously the distance between the two -gauge marks and record the 
distance at rupture. Note the lead indicated on the dial.  
D.5 Calculation and reporting  
D.5.1 Tensile strength (β), N/mm2 = 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐴 
where  
F max is a force at failure of the specimen in N,  and  
A is an  original cross -sectional area in mm2  
 
D.5.2 Tensile stress ( δt), N/mm2 = 𝐹𝑡
𝐴 
where  
F is a force at specified elongation in N,  and  
A is an o riginal cross -sectional area in mm2 
 
D.5.3 Ultimate elongation (Elongation at Break)  
DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
12 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 Ultimate elongation (ɛb) per cent =  𝐿𝑏−𝐿𝑜
𝐿𝑂 ×100 
where  
𝐿𝑏 is a length between the gauge marks in mm at the time of failure, and  
𝐿𝑂 is an original length between the gauge marks in mm.  
 
D.5.4 Report  
Report the averages of the three -specimen  tested  
 
 
 
Annex E 
(normative)  
Heat ageing Test 
 
Determine as in Annex D the tensile strength and elongation at break of five specimens that have been heat  
aged for 22 h in an air oven at 140 ºC + 1 ºC, and calculate the resistance to heat aging of the sample as  
Resistance to heat aging, retention of ori ginal, %,   = 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒  𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒  𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦  𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑  𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙  𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒  𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒  𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 ×100 
 
 
Annex F 
(normative)  
Tensile after humid aging  Test  
Determine as in Annex D the tensile strength and elongation at break of five specimens that have been  humid 
aged in dry steam at 105 ºC + 1 ºC for 3 h, dried at 70 ºC to constant mass . Then calculate the resistance to 
humid aging of the sample as follows:  
 
Resistance to humid aging, retention of original, % =  𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒  𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒  𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦  𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑  𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙  𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒  𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒  𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 ×100 
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  13 
 Annex G  
(normative)  
Porosity Test  
G.1 Apparatus  
The apparatus consists, essentially, of a specimen holder connected through a flow meter to a supply of  clean 
dry air. The apparatus shall include means for precise control of air flow rate and a manometer  connected 
between the specimen holder an d the flow meter. The specimen holder shall consist of a circular  container, of 
internal diameter 38 mm and depth 25 mm, that has an air inlet of diameter 25 mm in the centre  of its base, and 
a cover with a central aperture of diameter 25 mm. The cover sha ll form an airtight seal with  the top of the 
container, and the entire apparatus shall be free from leaks.  
 
G.2 Test specimens  
From the appropriate slab (see 8.2) cut four cylindrical specimens each of diameter 38 mm and height  
25 mm.  
 
G.3 Procedure  
Level the manometer and set it at zero. Insert the test specimen holder and replace the cover. Turn on the  air 
supply and adjust it to obtain a pressure in the apparatu s (as recorded by the manometer) of 125 Pa.  When the 
pressure reading is steady, note the rate of air flow recorded by the flow meter. Repeat the test  with the 
remaining three specimens. Calculate the porosity of each specimen as follows:  
 
Porosity, m3/s.m2 = 2 040 F  
 
where,  
F is the flow rate, in m3/s. 
 
Record the mean of the four results as the porosity of the sample.  
 
Annex H  
(normative)  
Test for f lammability  of polyurethane foam  mattresses  
H.1 Apparatus  
  
An apparatus as shown  schematically in Figure H.1 and consisting of a heat -resistant glass tube (chimney) in 
which a test specimen can be mounted, the base of the tube being connected to metered supplies of oxygen 
and nitrogen.  The glass tube shall have a diameter of at least 75 mm and a height of at least 450 mm, and shall 
have at its base a bed of glass beads (or other inert particles) that will mix and distribute the incoming gases.  
The tube shall also contain a clamp that is capable of holding a test specimen (vertically) that the top of the 
specimen is at least 100 mm below the top of the tube.  
  
The oxygen and nitrogen used shall be of commercial grade (or better) and shall be supplied to the base of the 
glass tube through individual metering devices that enable the volum etric flow of each gas to be measured with 
an accuracy of 1 % or better.  
 
H.2 Test specimens   
 
From the appropriate slab cut five specimens each of size 12.5 + 0.5 mm x 12.5 + 0.5 mm x 130 mm and draw 
a gauge line across each specimen 75 mm from the end th at is to be positioned uppermost in the apparatus.  
 
H.3 Procedure   DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
14 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
   
Clamp a test specimen in the holder of the apparatus so that it is held vertically in the centre of the glass 
chimney.  Open the valves of the gas cylinders and adjust the flow so that the oxygen content of the gas mixture 
is 20 % + 0.2 % and that the flow  rate up the glass chimney (as calculated from the volumetric flow rate divided 
by the cross -sectional area of the chimney) is 40  % + 10 % mm/s.  Allow the gas to flow for at least 30 s and 
then, using a small gas flame at the end of a tube, ignite the test  specimen so that the whole of the upper surface 
is burning.  Note whether the specimen burns for 3 min or longer and if not, whether or not the specimen has 
burned to below the 75 mm gauge line.  Repeat the test with the remaining four specimens.  
 
 
 
 
 
Figure H.1 — General arrangement of flammability test apparatus  
 
 
 
Annex I  
(normative)  
Hardness factor  Test 
 
I.1 Apparatus  
The miniflex CLD hardness tester  
 
I.2 Test specimen  
A foam sample of dimensions 100 mm x100 mm x 50 mm will be used.  
 
I.3 Procedure  
The test procedure first measures the thickness of the foam sample (pre load). It is then compressed three  
times to 30 % of its original thickness (pre flex) at a defined speed.  
 
Finally, the sample is compressed to 60 % of its original thickness  and the force necessary to do this is  
measured and recorded. This force normally expressed as pressure in kilopascals (kPa) is the hardness  
value.  
 
Hardness factor is obtained by referring to Table 2.  
 
 
DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  15 
  
Annex J 
(Normative)  
Test method for mass per unit area  
  
J.1 Principle  
 
This method specifies the procedures for determining the mass per unit area of woven fabrics (including those 
of the stretch type), knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, composite fabrics and narrow fabrics.  
 
J.2 Apparatus  
 
J.2.1 Table  that has a smooth flat surface and is of a size that exceeds that of the fabric to be measured  
 
J.2.2 Cutter , that is capable of cutting a square or circular specimen of area,0.01m2 to accuracy of 1 % or better.  
 
J.2.3 Metal plate , that is 5 mm smaller than the cutter and that has a thickness of 10 mm  
 
J.2.4 Balance , that is capable of determining the mass of the specimen to accuracy of 0.2 % or, in the case of 
0.01 m2 specimens, to an accuracy of 0.001 g.  
 
J.3 General  
 
Condition the sample  
Before te sting, maintain all specimens for at least 16 h in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of wise 65 
% ± 2 % and a temperature of 23 °C ± 2 °C.  
 
 
J.4 Procedure 1 - Full width specimen  
 
J.4.1 Ensure that the fabric, which should preferably be selected from the middle of a piece, is not less than 0.5 
m and not more than 4 m long, and lay it flat, and without tension, on the table.  
  
J.4.2 Cut at both ends across the full width of the sample along parallel lines at right angles to the selvedge.  
 
J.4.3 If the mass per unit area of a selvedge on a full – width piece appears to deviate appreciably from the 
mass per area of the body of the fabr ic, or if so agreed upon between the parties concerned, trim off the selvedge 
along the outermost threads of the body of the fabric and use only the body of the fabric for the determination 
of the mass per unit area.  
 
J.4.4 Measure the width and length of  the specimen.  
 
J.5 Procedure 2 - For representative for large cuttings  
 
J.5.1 Ensure that available cutting is representative of the sample.  
 
J.5.2 Trim the cutting into a square or rectangular specimen by cutting along parallel lines at right angles t o the 
warp (length) direction and at right angles to the weft (width) direction.  
 
J.5.3 Measure the width and length of the specimen.  
  
J.5.4 Use the balance to determine the mass of the specimen  
 
J.6 Procedure 3 - For several small (0.01 m2) specimens  DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
16 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
  
NOTE:  On fabrics with large in-woven  designs, which involve local areas of appreciably different mass per unit area, the 
use of procedure 1 or procedure 2 is preferable.  
 
J.6.1 Cut at least three -square  pieces, of side length of approximately 150 mm, from areas of the fabric selected 
to represent the samples as fully as possible but not within 50 mm of the selvedge.  
  
J.6.2 Lay each piece flat, and without tension, on a suitable cutting surface. Place th e metal plate and cutter on 
each piece in turn and cut out a 0.01  m2 specimen from each piece, ensuring that no loss of threads occurs.  
 
J.6.3 Use the balance to determine the mass of the 0.01  m2 specimens, and calculate the mean mass.  
 
J.7 Calculation  
 
J.7.1 In the case of procedure 1 and procedure 2, calculate the mass per unit area M in grams per square metre, 
using the following formula:  
 
𝑀= 𝑚 ×1,000 ,000
𝐿 ×𝑤 
 
where  
 
m is the mass of the specimen, in grams  
L is the length of the specimen, in millimeters ; and  
w is the width of the specimen, in millimeters   
 
J.7.2 In the case of procedure 3, calculate the mass per unit area ( M in grams per square metre) by multiplying 
the mean mass (in grams) by 100.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annex K  
(normative)  
Dimensions  
K.1 Apparatus  
K.1.1 Metre rule , a steel rule graduated in millimeters and accurate to 1 mm (or better).  
 
K.1.2 Micrometer , a micrometer accurate to 0.01 mm (or better) with a presser foot of area at least 6.5 cm and 
capable of exerting a pressure of 100 + 10 Pa.  
 
K.2 Procedure   
 
Measure the dimensions of each sample (using the steel rule for dimensions greater than 30 mm and the 
micrometer for dimensions not exceeding 30 mm).  
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022  
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  17 
 Annex L  
(informative)  
 
Dimensions  of polyurethane foam mattresses  
 
The dimensions for the polyurethane foam mattresses may be  as provided in Table L.1  
 
Table L.1 - dimensions of flexible polyurethane foam mattresses  
S/No.  Characteristic  Requirement,  
mm Tolerance,  
mm 
i)  Length  1800 -2000  - 0   +40  
ii)  Width  750 - 900 -0   +10  
901 - 1350  -0   +25  
1351 - 2000  -0   +40  
iii)  Thickness  75 -150 -0    +5  
 
 DEAS 1115 -1:2022 
18 © EAC 2022  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] TZS 360:2021 Flexible polyurethane foam mattresses - Specification  
[2] TZS 359:1996 Methods of test and sampling for flexible polyurethane foam  
[3] KS 376 -0:2013 Flexible polyurethane (polyether) foams — Specification  - Part 0: General requirements  
[4] KS 376 -1:2005 Flexible polyurethane (polyether) foams — Specification - Part 1: Mattresses  
[5]   KS 376 -2:1999 Specification for flexible polyurethane foams - Part 2: Reconstituted flexible polyurethane 
foam  
 [6] US 202: 2021 Textiles — Foam mattress — SpecificationFDEAS  345: 2022    
 
© EAC 2022  – All rights reserved