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NBS TECHNICAL NOTE 867
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards 1 was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology,

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs.

THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United

States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system

with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Measurement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Nuclear

Sciences 2 — Applied Radiation 2 — Quantum Electronics " — Electromagnetics 3 — Time

and Frequency 3 — Laboratory Astrophysics " — Cryogenics ". THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized

materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides

advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and

distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard

Reference Materials and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry — Polymers — Metallurgy — Inorganic Materials — Reactor

Radiation — Physical Chemistry.

THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote

the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of

technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute consists of a Center for Building Technology and the following divisions and offices: Engineering and Product Standards — Weights and Measures — Invention and Innovation — Product Evaluation Technology — Electronic Technology — Technical Analysis — Measurement Engineering — Structures, Materials, and Life Safety * — Building

Environment * — Technical Evaluation and Application * — Fire Technology.

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effec- tiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective

utilization of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus within

the executive branch for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing

equipment, techniques, and computer languages. The Institute consists of the following

divisions: Computer Services — Systems and Software — Computer Systems Engineering — Information Technology.

THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and

accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and

a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum

accessibility to the scientific information of the world. The Office consists of the following

organizational units: Office of Standard Reference Data — Office of Information Activities — Office of Technical

Publications — Library — Office of International Relations.

1 Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234.

2 Part of the Center for Radiation Research.

' Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302.

* Part of the Center for Building Technology.
ifeiationsmp or garment

Characteristics and Other

Variables to Fire Injury Severity

y«w. fcorttAU Or Si/irtDARDi,

JUL b 1975

Laura B. Buchbinder

i 100

The Cotton Foundation

a . n Memphis, Tennessee 38112

Jointly sponsored by

Programmatic Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards Washington, D.C. 20234

and

The Cotton Foundation

1918 North Parkway

Memphis, Tennessee 38112

Vau of *

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary

!ii t NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts, Director

Issued June 1975

\
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 75-600026

National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 867

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 867, 41 pages (June 1975) CODEN: NBTNAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1975

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. 03.46:867).

Price $1.25
CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1

2. STUDY DESCRIPTION 3

2.1. Injury Severity Index 3

2.2. Activity Classification System 3

2.3. Reaction Classification System 3

2.4. Garment Classification System 4

3. ANALYSIS OF GARMENT PARAMETERS 4

3.1. Explanation of Garment Configuration Classification . . 5

3.2. Configuration of Primary Garment Involved in Fire Accident 6

3.3. Garment Configuration and Injury Level 8

3.3.1. Configurations Covering Half of the Body. ... 12

3.3.2. Configurations Covering More than Half of the

Body 12

3.3.3. Sleeve Configuration 15

3.4. Fiber Weight Versus Garment Configuration 17

3.5. Fabric Weight Versus Contribution to Injury 19

3.6. Fiber Content and Garment Configuration 19

3.7. Garment Degree of Fit Classification 21

3.7.1. Fit at Point of Ignition 21

3.7.2. Fit at Point of Most Severe Injury 23

3.8. Summary of Garment Parameter Analysis 24

. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN DATA ANALYSIS 24

. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 25

5.1. Children's Clothing Ignition 25

5.2. Apparel Fires Among the Elderly 25

5.3. Fires Involving Flammable Liquids 28

5.4. Reactions to Apparel Ignition 28

5.5. Common Ignition Sources 28

5.6. Apparel Flammability 29

6. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 29

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 30

8. REFERENCES 30

APPENDIX A. ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION CODES 32

Al. Code Al (Type of Accident) 32

A2. Code A2 (Type of Activity) 32

A3. Code A3 (Additional Information on Activity) 32

A3.1. Specific Action 32

A4. Code A4 (Additional Information on Activity) 33

A4.1. Ignition Source 33

in
CONTENTS, continued

Page

A5. Code A5 (Location and Occupational Relationship) .... 34

A6. Code A6 (Contributing Circumstances) 34

A6.1. Multivalued 34

APPENDIX B. REACTION CLASSIFICATION CODES 34

Bl. Defensive Capability Codes 34

Bl.l. Code R2 35

B1.2. Code R3 35

B2. Defensive Action Codes 35

B2.1. Multivalued 35

APPENDIX C. GARMENT CLASSIFICATION CODES 35

CI. Code Gl (Garment type of configuration) 35

C2. Code G2 (Fit at point of ignition) 36

C3. Code G3 (Fit at point of most severe injury) 36

C4. Code G4 (Garment contribution to injury) 36

IV
RELATIONSHIP OF GARMENT CHARACTERISTICS

AND OTHER VARIABLES TO FIRE INJURY SEVERITY

Laura Baker Buchbinder 1

This final report on an in-depth study of apparel fire

accident variables focuses on the physical parameters of fabrics

and garments involved in apparel fires and the relationship

between these parameters and injury severity. Interactions

between accident variables are summarized and recommendations

for remedial action and further research are included. Garments

involved in apparel fire accidents were classified by degree

of fit and amount of the body covered. Fires in which the garment configurations involved covered over half the body (the

dress/shift and pants/top configurations) were shown to be

associated with more extensive burn injuries than fires involving configurations covering smaller areas (loose tops, fitted

pants, and loose pants). Degree of fit could not be shown to

be directly related to injury severity. Within garment configuration classifications, age was shown to be a major determinant

of injury severity, with victims over 65 years of age receiving

a significantly higher percentage of severe burns than those

in the 21-65 age group. In accidents involving loose tops,

fitted pants, and loose pants the presence of flammable liquids

in the accident sequence appeared to be the dominant factor in

determining injury level. In addition, when accidents involved

flammable liquids, (1) the fabrics involved tended to be

heavier, (2) the fit of the garment at point of ignition was

closer, and (3) the proportion of cellulosic/synthetic blend

and 100% synthetic fabrics was higher than in accidents which

did not involve flammable liquids. Because of the many human

and physical variables shown to be associated with an apparel

fire accident, the author suggests a broad fire prevention

program which includes both product regulation and public

education.

Key words: Accident patterns; apparel; apparel fires; burn

injury; FFACTS; fire; flammable fabrics; flammable liquids;

garment fires; garment parameters; injury severity; victim's

activity; victim's reactions.

1. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A number of variables are involved in an apparel fire accident.

The circumstances surrounding the accident, the victim's activity causing

or immediately preceding the accident, the flammable fabrics or flammable

liquids involved in the accident, and the reactions of the victim and/or

^he author is presently working as a Research Associate for the Cotton

Foundation at the National Bureau of Standards.
others nearby to apparel ignition are all variables which have influence

on the result of the accident. The consequence, in human terms, can range from little or no burn injury to a severe burn injury resulting in

permanent disfigurement or death to the victim. Numerous papers have

been written about specific aspects of the apparel fire problem. Some

[1,2] 2 dealt with specific items of apparel involved in fire accidents.

Others [3,4] focussed on various ignition sources. Still others [5,6]

discussed the medical problems associated with the treatment of burns from

apparel fire accidents. Some research [7] has dealt with the human or behavioral aspects of apparel fire accidents. In November 1972, this

author initiated a study of the relationships between the fire accident

variables, activity, reaction, garment parameters, and injury severity.

The study used data from the Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing

System (FFACTS) 3 of the Center for Fire Research at the National Bureau of

Standards. The purpose of the study was to identify patterns in those

variables which describe the activity preceding the accident, the reaction

of the victim to clothing ignition, the parameters of the fabrics and

garments involved, and the level of severity of injury, and to define the

extent and nature of the relationships between these accident variables.

The relationships inferred and the understanding gained from the study

should aid in defining the types of remedial action which are likely to be

most effective in reducing human and economic loss due to apparel fires.

In addition, analysis of the role of garment parameters in apparel fires can be useful in developing realistic garment flammability standards which

relate to hazard. This is the final report on the results of this in-depth

analysis of apparel fire accidents.

This paper includes a discussion and analysis of the contribution of

various garment parameters to the extent of injury. The major problem

areas associated with the four variables in the study, (1) activity, (2)

reaction, (3) garment parameters, and (4) injury severity, are summarized.

In addition, the author provides some insight gained from the analysis and

offers suggestions for remedial action and areas for further research.

An interim report [8], "Study of Relationships Between Activity,

Reaction, Garment Parameter Patterns and Injury Severity for Fire Incidents

Involving Apparel," was published in April 1973. This report outlined the

study and specified the procedures to be followed in data collection.

Preliminary observations on activity patterns were included in the Appendix

of that publication. In addition, two papers have been published analyzing

specific aspects of the problem. One paper [9] dealt primarily with the

relationships between the activity preceding the fire accident, the age and

sex of the victim, and the extent of injury incurred from the accident.

2 Numbers in brackets refer to the literature references listed at the

end of this paper.

3 FFACTS is a computerized data base derived from detailed case history

investigations of fire accidents supplied primarily by Food and Drug

Administration field investigators, augmented by NBS laboratory analysis

of fabric samples submitted with the reports. This data base, with

accident investigations now supplied by the Consumer Product Safety

Commission, is described in more detail in reference 11.
The second paper [10], identified patterns in the reactions of the victim

and other involved persons to garment ignition and related this variable to

the level of injury.

2. STUDY DESCRIPTION

The study was based on the analysis of data from 1,126 apparel fire

accident cases from FFACTS. The procedures followed in implementing the

study were discussed by Buchbinder [8]. However, changes were made in

the activity classification system and in the means of determining level

of injury severity after that report was published. A discussion of

these changes follows in sections 2.1. and 2.2.

2.1. Injury Severity Index

The original outline of the project called for the development of an injury severity index which would incorporate such factors as area of

body burned, thickness of burn and the part or parts of the body involved

into a single index which would provide an estimate of the severity of

the injury. A number of candidate formulas for indices were developed.

However, after consultation with several doctors in the burn field and

careful evaluation of the quality of the medical data available in

FFACTS, it was determined that such an index was more sophisticated than

the accuracy of the data merited. Therefore in this study, one data

element, percent total area of body burned, was used to estimate injury

severity.

2.2. Activity Classification System

The activity classification system was revised to make it more flexible. The multilevel classification system which was used is shown in

section B2.1. of the Appendix. The presence or absence of flammable

liquids, flammable gases or high voltage electricity was the major criterion for coding in the first level of classification (A, ) . In the A~

classification the general activity of the victim was specified. Classifications A and A, gave additional information about the activity and/or

ignition source involved in the accident. Codes A,, and A, provided information about the location of the accident, occupational relationship of the

victim's activity (e.g., work or nonwork) and the special circumstances

surrounding the accident. A report [9] on the results of analysis of data

classified by this system has been published.

2.3. Reaction Classification System

the reaction classification system (see Appendix B) dealt with

reaction capability as well as the actual post ignition reaction. The

results of analysis of these data elements have also been published

[10].

3
2.4. Garment Classification System

The article (s) of clothing contributing most to the injury were classified and coded according to shape, fit at point of ignition, and fit at

point of most severe injury. This garment may or may not have been the

first item to ignite in the accident. A subjective judgment was made

regarding the garment's contribution to injury, and this was also coded.

The garment classification system is shown in Appendix C. The analysis of

this accident parameter is discussed in section 3.

3. ANALYSIS OF GARMENT PARAMETERS

While FFACTS is one of the most complete and detailed data bases

containing information on apparel fires, clothing ignition represents a crisis situation, and detailed information on the sequence of events

between ignition and extinction of the fire is limited. Therefore, such

variables as the precise point of ignition, the actual fit and configuration of the garment (s) involved, and the time required to recognize and

control the fire are often not available from the data base. However, some valuable knowledge can be gained by using available information in the case histories to make generalized assumptions about the less defined aspects of

the data. Vickers, Tovey, and Krasny [11] analyzed some of these less well

defined garment parameters relating to garment configuration and fit as well as the quantifiable fabric parameters such as fiber content, fabric

construction and fabric weight. This paper. also focuses on various garment

parameters and the relationship between these parameters and injury severity; however, the classifications developed for this study differ to some extent from those used by Vickers, et al [11] resulting in somewhat dif ferment conclusions. The data presented in this paper support Vickers' observation that accidents involving loosely fitting dresses, nightgowns, and

robes (dress/shift configuration) result in more severe burn injuries than

accidents involving other more fitted configurations. However, since in

this study the more fitted pants/top configuration also was associated with

severe injury levels, it is not clear whether it is the degree of fit, the

total' body area covered by the garment (s) involved, or age/sex distributions

within various configurations which account for the more extensive burn

injuries associated with the dress/shift configuration.

The analysis which follows includes an explanation of the garment

classifications used in the study and a discussion of the various garment

configurations identified and their apparent relationship to injury severity. In addition, data are presented which relate certain fabric parameters

such as weight and fiber content to the garment classifications developed

for this study. Information is also provided on the degree of fit both at

point of ignition and point of most severe injury. Support is developed

for the premise that the involvement of flammable liquids in the accident

sequence overrides the influence of variables associated with the garments (s) involved.
3.1. Explanation of Garment Configuration Classification

Sixteen garment classifications were developed based on garment

configuration or shape [8]. A number of item types were combined into one category when their overall shapes seemed similar. For example,

shirts, blouses, and pajama tops Were all classified as "loose tops,"

while nightgowns, robes, and dresses were classified in the appropriate

"shift/dress" category depending on the waistline fit. It was hoped that

the investigator, reading the case histories, would be able to differentiate between garments with fitted and non-fitted waistlines, both in the

dress and pants/top configurations; however, the data were not adequate for

such an analysis to be meaningful. Therefore, for analysis all dress/shift

configurations (fitted or non-fitted waistline and all pants/top and shorts/

top configurations (shirt in - shirt out) were combined into the appropriate general groups (dress/shift, pants/top, and shorts/top).

Pajama pants and coveralls have a characteristically different fit

and/or waistline treatment than regular trousers and thus, were classified

in the category "loose pants". When both pajama top and pants were

involved in the accident, they were classified as "loose top/loose pants".

(A fitted "sleeper" type pajama would be classified differently.) Some

classifications such as "long shift" and "shorts" or "shorts/top" were not

discussed in detail in this analysis because of the limited number of cases involving these configurations.

Grouping of articles of apparel into categories representing degree of

fit is difficult at best. Dress styles vary greatly in their degree of fit

as do shirts and blouses; therefore, any grouping into classifications of

this sort can only be viewed as approximations of fit. The problem of

classificaion is further complicated by the fact that a shirt or blouse may

be worn either inside or outside pants, and the way it is worn affects the

shape or fit and perhaps the behavior of the apparel item in a fire situation. In their analysis, Vickers, Tovey, and Krasny [11] classified

shirts as a fitted configuration. Unlike the Vickers study, shirts and

pajama tops in this study were grouped into the same category and classified as loosely fitting. (More closely fitted knit shirts and T shirts

were not included in this classification.) It was assumed, based on infer- ence from reading the case histories, that the shirt was worn outside of

the pants in most of the accidents. As was noted earlier, the data are not

available to truly determine whether the shirt was actually worn outside or inside the trousers when the accident occurred. In addition, degree of fit

is relative. For example, shirts may be viewed as loose relative to pants,

but would be considered fitted relative to most robes.

The classification system allowed for coding of pants/top and shorts/

top configurations in cases in which it was evident that both items were

involved in the fire. The combined pants/top classifications may be

expected to be associated with higher injury levels, since the involvement

of two garments would probably indicate a more severe fire. However, it

seemed that such a classification would allow recognition of these more

extensive fires and contribute to the analysis of them. In addition, it

might be misleading to attribute a burn covering much of the body to a

5
single item, such as a shirt, which covered only half the body. 1* For com- pleteness, the individual items within the pants/top and shorts/top classifications which were judged to contribute most to the injury are listed in

table 1. It should be noted that the ratio of pants to tops in the com- bined pants/top classification was similar to the ratio of pants to tops

when classified separately.

Table 1. Numbers of Individual Item Types Contributing Most

to Injury Within the Categories Pants /Top and Shorts /Top

Direct

Garment

Ignition

Flammable

Liquids

Involved

Flammable

Gases

Involved

Total

Shirts or Blouses

Jacket

T Shirts or Undershirts

Sweaters or Sweatshirts

10

2

2

32

3

71

10

4

52

5

11

3

Total Number of Tops Involved 14 43 14 71

Pants or Slacks

Coveralls

Paj amas Jumpsuit-Snow Suit

Shorts

5

1

1

13

4

1

2

4 22

4

1

2

2

Total Number of Pants Involved 7 20 4 31

Total 21 63 18 102

Finally, when the case history narrative indicated that ignition

occurred at the sleeve, "sleeve" was coded as the garment type regardless

of the overall configuration of the garment. Since accidents involving

sleeve ignition were prevalent in the data and seemed to constitute a distinct accident type, coding was done in this manner to facilitate

analysis of this type of accident and point of ignition.

3.2. Configuration of Primary Garment Involved in Fire Accident

The frequency of involvement of various garment configurations in

apparel fire accidents varied with both the type of accident (i.e., one involving flammable liquids or gases versus one not involving such

materials) and with the age and sex of the victim. In figure 1 it can

be seen that the "dress /shift" and the "loose top" configurations accounted

for the largest percentages (36% and 28% respectively) of garments involved

H The first-to-ignite single item classification, however, is most useful

in identifying "hazardous" garments for the purpose of standard promulgation.

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flammable liquid or gas was present in the accident sequence, the "loose

top" was again most prevalent, accounting for 31% of the total. "Fitted

pants" were second in frequency (18%) and "pants/top" configurations third

with 15%.

The distribution of various garment configurations between the two

types of accidents (i.e., accidents involving intermediary materials and

accidents involving direct ignition of clothing) reflected activity

patterns discussed in a previous paper [9]. Garment configurations

likely to be worn by males ("loose tops", "fitted pants", and "pants/top")

were prevalent in accidents which involved flammable liquids or gases.

On the other hand, the dress /shift configuration, worn primarily by

females , accounted for the largest percentage of garments in accidents

involving direct ignition of clothing.

Only the "loose top" configuration was prevalent in both accident

types, perhaps because shirts, blouses, and pajama tops are worn by both

males and females for a wide range of activities which may or may not

involve intermediary materials.

Table 2 shows the percentages of major configurations within selected

age/sex groups when no flammable liquids were involved in the accident

sequence. While the "fitted pants" configuration showed the same level

of involvement in all four male age groups, the data indicated a slight

change from involvement of the "loose top" configuration to involvement

of the "dress /shift" configuration for both males and females over 65.

This increase in the relative frequency of involvement of the "dress/shift"

configuration may be a reflection of the attire typically worn by elderly

people. This group may be more sedentary because of age or ill health

and thus, wear robes or gowns for a larger portion of the time. Figure

2 shows schematically the age distributions for selected garment classifications. As might be expected, the "dress/shift" and the "pants/top"

configurations have the highest percentages of victims over 65 years of

age.

3.3. Garment Configuration and Injury Level

To facilitate analysis, garment classifications were divided into

two general categories — those configurations which would be expected

to cover half or less of the body and those configurations which would

be expected to cover more than half of the body (fig. 3). Each category

included configurations with varying degrees of fit. As would be expected,

the injury levels for incidents in which the garment involved covered

half or less of the body were noticeably less severe than they were in

the other category. In the configurations "loose top", "fitted pants",

and "loose pants", the degree of fit as defined by these classifications

was not shown to be a major factor in injury severity. The category,

"semi-loose top", containing such items as T shirts and other knit tops

which might be expected to have a closer fit than the average shirt,

showed somewhat higher levels of severity than other configurations

covering half or less of the body.

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3.3.1. Configurations Covering Half of the Body

For each of three configurations, namely, fitted pants, loose tops,

and loose pants, the injury level for accidents involving flammable liquids

or gas was compared with the injury level for direct ignition. For each

of the three configurations, injury levels varied more between accidents

involving flammable liquids and accidents involving direct ignition than

between the different configurations. Figure 4 shows the injury levels

for all three configurations for accidents involving flammable liquids

or gas and for direct ignitions. These results would seem to support

the premise that the presence of a flammable liquid or gas in the accident

sequence does influence the outcome of the accident and may override the

effect of certain other factors. However, looseness or closeness of fit

as determined by this classification system could not be shown to be a major determinant of injury severity.

3.3.2. Configurations Covering More than Half of the Body

The "dress/shift" and "pants/top" configurations showed more severe

injury levels than did other configurations. The injury levels were not

influenced as much by flammable liquid involvement as they were in the

other configurations. The levels of injury in cases not involving

direct fabric ignition were comparable to the levels of injury in accidents involving flammable liquids or gases as intermediary materials

.

The explanation for this may lie in the age/sex groups involved in the

two kinds of accidents or in the flammability characteristics of the

configurations

.

It was shown in a previous paper [9] that accidents involving flammable liquids tended to result in more serious injuries, and that this

trend was even more pronounced within the 21-65 age group. In another

paper [10] the ability of the victim to take positive action to extinguish

the fire was also related to injury level. Women, young children and

elderly persons were found to have poorer responses to ignition than other

groups. These findings may partially explain the injury levels shown in

both the "dress/shift" and "pants/top" configurations. In incidents

involving no flammable liquids, 46% of the victims in the "dress/shift"

configurations were either under 5 or over 65 years old. For the "pants/

top" configuration 43% were under 5 or over 65 years old. (see fig. 2)

This would indicate a relatively large number of victims with inappropriate

reactions. When flammable liquids were involved in the accident sequence

the percentages of very young and very old dropped to 26% in the "dress/

shift" configuration and 8% in the "pants/top" configuration. Though the

accident condition may have been more severe, the reactions of the groups

involved may have been more effective in those accidents involving flammable liquids. Hence, the negative effect of a larger proportion of victims with poor reactions might equal the negative effect of flammable

liquid involvement in the accident, making the injury levels comparable for

the two types of accidents.

12
PERCENT OF CASES

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Finally

,

fitting confi

"dress/shift"

stops such as fire. If the

to the rapid

a flammable 1

in a garment

rate of flame

Vickers, Tovey and Krasny [11] postulated that a loosely

guration which covers more than half of the body such as the

results in more severe burns because of the absence of fire

belts and because of the accessibility of air to sustain the

characteristics of the garment make it inherently susceptable

spread of fire, it also may be postulated that the presence of

iquid would make less difference in the progress of the fire

such as this than it would in a configuration in which the

spread could be expected to be less rapid.

To further define the relationship between garment configuration, age,

and injury severity in accidents not involving flammable liquids, chisquare contingency analysis was used. The data shown in table 3 shows how

the different data elements were grouped for multi-dimensional chi-squared

analysis. From these data, two dimensional chi-square tests were run.

Table 3. Data Grouped for Multi-Dimensional Contingency Analysis

Data Element Classifications

Percent total area

of body burned {3}

0-10% 11-40% Over 40%

Age groups (5) 0-5 6-10 11-20 21-65 Over 65

Garment configuration

(4)

1/2 body

loose fit

loose top,

loose

pants)

1/2 body

fitted

(semi- loose

top, fitted

pants

,

sleeve)

Whole body

loose fit

(long shift,

all shift/

dress con- figurations)

Whole body

fitted

(All pants/

top configurations)

Accident type (2) Direct Ignition, no flammable liquids or gas involved

Flammable liquid or gas

involved

Table 4 shows the data for testing the independence of the two parameters, total area of body burned and garment configuration (whole body,

fitted and whole body, loose). A chi-square test was based on data from

cases with direct ignition (no flammable liquids or gases involved) and

involving only the 21-65 age group. The analysis failed to reject the

hypothesis of independence. Conversely, a chi-square test on the data in

table 5, for testing independence between total area of body burned and

age, showed a highly significant (99% level) absence of independence. In

this example, garment configuration was held constant by considering only

the "whole body, loose" configuration for direct ignition accidents.

Similar significant results were obtained when chi-square analysis was used

to compare the total area of body burned within the "loose top" configuration for victims 21-65 and victims over 65.

14
Table 4. Total Area of Body Burned vs. Garment

Configuration, for 21-65 Age Group and Direct Ignition

Total area of

body burned

Garment Configuration

Whole body, Marginal Totals

fitted

Whole body,

loose

0-10%

11-40%

Over 40%

Marginal Totals

27

15

8

50

27

28

20

75

54

43

28

125

Table 5. Total Area of Body Burned vs. Age,

for "Whole Body, Loose" Configuration and Direct Ignition _______

Total area o>f Body Burned

Age Marginal

21-65 yrs Over 65 yrs Totals

0-10%

11-40%

Over 40%

Marginal Totals

27

28

20

75

4

26

29

59

31

54

49

134

These results reemphasize the fact that age, especially advanced age, is

closely related to injury severity. However, from these data no definitive

statement may be made as to the effect of fit on injury severity. While

the chi-square test (table 4) showed no significant difference in burn

severity between fitted and loose configurations, the fact that two garments

rather than one were involved in the fitted pants /top configuration fires

may bias this group toward more severe injury levels.

3.3.3. Sleeve Configuration

Of the 76 garments in which the sleeve ignited first, 55% could be

classified as "loose tops," 40% as "dress/shift" and 5% as "semi- loose

top." Fifty-four of the 76 sleeve ignitions occurred in accidents which

had no flammable liquids or gases involved. Females predominated in

these direct ignition accidents. Females between the ages of 21-65

accounted for 32% of the victims, and females over 65 an additional 20%.

When flammable liquids were involved in the accident sequence, males

aged 21-65 were most frequently involved (32%), followed by males 11-20

(22%).

When the distribution of total area of body burned was plotted for

accidents in which the sleeve was first to ignite (fig. 5) , the large

percentage of minor injuries, especially for accidents involving flammable

15
Semi-Loose Top

Fitted Pants

Dress/Shift

(Non-fitted waistline)

Pants/Top

Dress/Shift

(Fitted waistline]

Loose Top

Loose Pants

Long Shift

Loose Pants/Loose Top

Figure 5. Most frequent degree of fit at point of ignition for various

garment configurations — no intermediary materials involved. (Shaded area denotes the most common degree of fit at point of ignition.

T = Tight fit, less than 5 cm (2 in) ease; M = Medium fit, 5-13 cm

(2-5 in) ease; L = Loose fit, over 13 cm (5 in) ease.

lb
liquids, was striking. Both the distribution of accidents involving flammable liquid or gas and the distribution for accidents not involving

flammable liquids or gas showed a higher percentage of minor injuries

and fewer major injuries than did the garment configurations represented

within the "sleeve" classification (i.e., "dress/shift" and "loose

top"). It seems reasonable that accidents involving sleeve ignition

would be less severe. The victims would be almost immediately aware of

ignition and could take appropriate action while the fire was contained

in a rather limited area. When the awareness of ignition or the ability

to take positive action to extinguish the fire was lacking, the fire may

then have developed into a serious one. Most of the more serious injuries

occurred either with the elderly or the very young age groups with

reactions which might be expected to be less effective.

3.4. Fabric Weight Versus Garment Configuration

In a recent paper [11] Vickers, Tovey, and Krasny discussed fabric

construction, surface finish and "burn time" of f irst-to-ignite garments

from cases in FFACTS and related these parameters to the extent of the

burn injury. They concluded that these factors could not be shown to

exhibit a noticeable and consistent influence over burn injury within

various garment types. The effect of fiber content on extent of injury

was also analyzed. No difference was found in injury level between garments of 100% cellulosic and cellulosic/synthetic blend fabrics. However,

100% single layer synthetic fabrics were associated with less severe

injury levels. Since fabric parameters were discussed in detail by

Vickers, et al [11], this paper will give supplemental information on fabric weight and fiber content as they relate to garment classifications

used in this study.

Table 6 shows the weight ranges for various garment configurations.

Since several item types may be contained within one configuration classification, there was considerable variation in fabric weight within classifications. Two things should be noted when viewing this table: (1) only

about half the garments in fire incidents recorded in FFACTS have fabric

samples included for laboratory analysis; (2) When more than one garment

is included in a classification (e.g., "pants/top") the single item which

seemed to contribute most to the injury (i.e., covered the most severely or extensively burned portion of the body) was noted for retrieval of fabric

data. Therefore, even though the classification was "shorts/top," only the

top — or the shorts — would be included in the fabric analysis.

The average weight for all garments analyzed was 4.6 oz/sq yd 5. As

would be expected, the classifications "loose top", "shift/dress", and

b 0z/sq yd is the unit of measure used in the textile and apparel industries

to denote fabric weight. Since this paper deals with information of

interest to people in the textile field, fabric weight was expressed as oz/sq yd. However the conversion factor to kg/m2 is 3.39. Therefore,

4 oz/yd2 could also be expressed as 1.36 kg/m2 . In computing average

weights, 7 oz/sq yd was used as a conservative estimate for the over 6 oz/

sq yd grouping.

17
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18
"long shift" had a high percentage of fabrics in the weight range 3.1-

4.0 oz/sq yd, while "fitted pants", "shorts/top", and "pants/top" configurations had a higher percentage of fabrics in the over 6 oz/sq yd grouping.

"Loose pants" (which include both pajama pants and overalls or coveralls)

and "sleeves" seemed to fall either in the 3.1-4.0 oz/sq yd or the over 6

oz/sq yd grouping.

3.5. Fabric Weight Versus Contribution to Injury

Criteria for determining the garment's contribution to injury were described in detail in [8]. Basically the description of the accident,

the involvement of intermediary materials, and the location of the most severe or extensive burns were used to make a judgement regarding the

garment's contribution to injury.

Garments were coded as being (1) a major cause, (2) a secondary

cause, (3) a protective factor, (4) not involved, or (5) having an unknown contribution to the burn injury. Sixty-four percent of the 543

garments for which fabric weight was available were classified as being

major or primary causes of the burn injury. The average weight of these

garments was 4.2 oz/sq yd. Twenty-seven percent were judged as being a secondary cause of the injury. Most of these accidents involved flammable

liquids and the flammable liquid was judged to be the primary factor.

The average weight of fabrics involved in these accidents was 5.3 oz/sq

yd. This may be a reflection of the type of garment worn by age/sex

groups likely to be involved with flammable liquids — i.e., males aged

6-65. However, the fact that heavier fabrics tend to be more difficult

to ignite, unless contaminated with a flammable liquid or gas, may also

account for the increase in average fabric weight. In the remaining 7%

of the cases, the garments were judged to be either protective or not

involved with the injury. Again, heavier fabrics were more prevalent

with an average weight of 5.2 oz/sq yd. The majority of the accidents

in which the clothing was judged to be protective, involved either

flammable gas or explosives (28 cases) or flammable liquids (23 cases),

totaling 51 out of 59.

3.6. Fiber Content and Garment Configuration

Five hundred and seventy-one garments judged to be the major garment

involved in the fire accident had samples which were large enough to be

analyzed for fiber content. Table 7 shows the number of garments,

within each configuration classification, for which fiber content data were available. It should be noted that in most categories a smaller

percentage of the total number of garments involved were sent in for

fabric analysis from accidents involving flammable liquids or gas, than

from accidents involving no such intermediary material. This difference

could be indicative of the relative severity of the accident since in

more severe accidents there is often little left of the clothing, or it

could represent chance variation. Accident severity probably accounts for

the relatively low percentages (38% and 39%) of garments sent in for the

19
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20
pants/top configuration, since injury levels in this classification are

high.

Table 8 shows the distribution of fiber content groups among the

various garment configurations for accidents involving intermediary materials and for those not involving flammable liquids or gas. While garments

of 100% cellulosic were most prevalent in both accident types, accidents

which involved intermediary materials showed a higher percentage of cellulosic/synthetic blends and 100% synthetics than did accidents without such

intermediary materials. The garments typically involved in the two types

of accidents (e.g., synthetic or cellulosic/synthetic blend shirts and

pants in accidents involving flammable liquids vs 100% cellulosic dresses,

nightgowns and pajamas in accidents not involving flammable liquids) may

partially account for the difference. In addition, the presence of a flammable liquid or gas will assure combustion with even a relatively

nonflammable fabric such as some fabrics made with 100% thermoplastic

fibers.

3.7. Garment Degree of Fit Classification

Garments were also classified according to "fit at point of ignition,"

and "fit at point of most severe injury." The methodology employed was described in [8]. The data in the case histories on fit and on exact point

of ignition were limited. Therefore, the investigator estimated degree of

fit based on the way garments usually fit in various areas of the body. An

estimate such as this is, of course, subject to a high level of error. The area of most severe burn was determined by studying the burn diagram or description of injuries included in the case history.

3.7.1. Fit at Point of Ignition

When no intermediary materials were involved, the fit at point of

ignition was judged to be loose in 267 (42%) cases, medium in 156 (24%) cases and tight in 12 (2%) cases. In 206 cases the fit at point of ignition was unknown or not applicable. Figure 5 shows the major garment

configurations and the areas in which ignition was judged to have occurred

most frequently. It should be noted that in most instances ignition occur- red in the loosest area of the garment. This result was predictable since

areas of loose fit would be most likely to contact an ignition source. From a standards development point of view, it would be desirable to know

whether the exact point of ignition was at the edge of the garment or on a surface of the garment. Specific information on point of ignition was not

included in most case histories. 6

^However , the prevalence of surface ignition over edge ignition may be

implied from careful reading of the case histories considering the most

frequent ignition sources and the construction and configuration of the

item types ignited.

21
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22
When intermediary materials such as flammable liquids or gases were

involved in the accident, the percentage of cases in which the point of

ignition was unknown jumped to 75% of the total 473 cases. The inability

to judge point of ignition in this type of accident could be due to simultaneous ignition at several points which sometimes occurs in accidents

involving flammable liquids, or could be a result of the sudden explosive

ignition often characterizing such ignitions. Unlike garments involved in

accidents with no intermediary materials, the majority of the garments in

accidents involving flammable liquids for which the point of ignition was known or could be estimated, were ignited in areas of medium fit. The

tendency for garments involved in accidents involving flammable liquids to

ignite in areas of medium, rather than loose, fit may be accounted for both

by the characteristic closer fit of the garments involved in the accident

type and by the fact that contamination by a flammable liquid could insure

ignition even in areas of close fit.

3.7.2. Fit at Point of Most Severe Injury

The most severe injuries occurred most often in areas of medium fit.

However, the percentages (shown in table 9) differed according to accident

type.

Table 9. Fit at Point of Most Severe Injury by Accident Type

Gas or No Flammable Flammable Explosives

Liquid Involved Liquid Involved Involved

Loose Fit (Over 13 cm

ease) 13%

Medium Fit (5-13 cm ease) 52%

3%

42%

2%

12%

Tight Fit (Less than

5 cm ease) 9.5% 9% 6%

Not Applicable

i.e., No garment

involved

at area of injury)

6% 25% 64%

These results seem reasonable since a garment with 2-5 inches of ease is close enough, especially in a cylindrical shape, to give severe

burns, yet is loose enough to allow the circulation of some air to support

combustion. The high percent (64%) of "not applicable" responses in accidents involving flammable gas may be explained in that while there may be

23
insufficient heat to cause clothing ignition, there is ample heat to cause

severe burns on exposed portions of the body; therefore, in an explosion,

areas not covered by clothing are often as severely burned or more severely

burned than those which are covered.

3.8. Summary of Garment Parameter Analysis

Garment configuration was shown to be somewhat related to injury

level, with configurations covering over half of the body having higher

percentages of extensive burn injuries and sleeve ingnitions resulting in

lower percentages of extensive burns. However, with the data avilable, it was difficult to determine the exact contribution of fit to the level of

injury severity. Loose tops (shirts, blouses and pajama tops) and fitted

pants had similar levels of injury severity. When no flammable liguids

were involved, ignition generally occurred in areas of loose fit with the

most extensive injuries occurring in areas of medium fit. Garments of

cellulosic and cellulosic/synthetic blend fabrics were most frequently

involved in apparel fire accidents, probably reflecting both the market

distribution of such fabrics and their flammability characteristics.

The involvement of flammable liquids or gases in the accident sequence

did influence the course of the accident. In fact, for configurations

covering half or less of the body, flammable liquids involvement was more

closely related to injury level than fit, with accidents involving flammable liquids resulting in more severe injuries. The average weight of the

fabric involved in the accident was higher when flammable liquids were

involved than when they were not.

4. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN DATA ANALYSIS

Analysis of data collected in the study was initiated by viewing one main variable (activity, reaction, garment parameters) at a time, attempting to identify patterns and trends associated with that main variable, and

relating these patterns to injury severity. Chi-square contingency tests were used to determine the statistical validity of apparent differences in

distributions.

Other, more sophisticated forms of analysis including multiple regression and multidimensional contingency tables were also applied to the data.

The regression analysis was not fruitful because the models used accounted

for only a small portion of the variation. The multi-dimensional chisquare approach was not effective, probably because the data were too

"noisy" and the limitation on classification complexity for the analysis

was too severe for these data.

The contribution to extent of injury of the various fire accident

variables studied could not be quantified and described statistically as was originally anticipated. However, the more limited forms of analysis

and pattern identification used in this study indicated the importance of

24
human variables in determining injury severity and emphasized the complexity of the interactions between the human and physical variables in an apparel fire accident.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Table 10 provides a summary of some of the most frequent responses for

various study parameter variables. Some of these variables were found to

be associated with severe injuries (i.e., burns involving more than 50% of

the body). Such variables are listed in upper case and underlined in table

10. Also, more than one of these "negative" data elements (i.e., those

associated with severe injuries) may occur in a single case. For example

it was not at all uncommon for an elderly lady, wearing a gown and robe

(dress/shift configuration) to ignite her robe, panic, run and suffer very

severe burns as a result of the accident. Which of the variables — age

and sex, garment configuration, defensive capability, or reaction to

ignition — was primarily responsible for injury severity was difficult, if

not impossible, to determine.

Figure 6 is an attempt to show schematically how each main variable

affects and is influenced by the other accident variables. It is the

interdependence between the variables which makes it difficult to quantify

the contribution of any one variable and identify it as the causal factor

in injury level. However, certain problem areas may be identified as contributing to injury severity and some solutions seem more appropriate

than others.

5.1. Children's Clothing Ignition

Ignition of clothing worn by children is a serious problem because of

the frequency of occurrence, the difficulty in prevention of the accident

by supervision of the child or the removal of possible hazards (such as matches, ranges, and space heaters), and because of the inability of the

child to take appropriate action when apparel ignition occurred. A solution to this problem has been approached by promulgation of the children's

sleepwear standards for sizes 0-6X and 7-14. This action alone should

reduce the hazard substantially. Modification of the most common ignition

source, matches, to make them more difficult for a child to use would also

help alleviate this problem.

5.2. Apparel Fires Among the Elderly

The elderly and the physically handicapped constitute another high

risk group. Since this group, unlike children, wears the same clothing

as other adult age groups not in need of protection, mandatory fabric

flammability standards do not seem to be an appropriate solution. However,

a need for action in this area is strongly indicated by the data. Flame

retardant clothing should be made available in the market place at a

25
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reasonable price. However, since many elderly people have very limited

economic resources, it would seem to the author that some economic incentive, or at least relief, must be provided if flame retardant apparel is to

be acceptable to this group.

5.3. Fires Involving Flammable Liquids

Misuse of flammable liquids was another major problem associated with

apparel fire accidents. Data in this study indicated that approximately

one-third of apparel fire accidents involved either flammable liquids or flammable gases. Many victims are apparently unaware of the volatility of

certain flammable liquids, especially gasoline. Gasoline was used for a number of purposes, such as cleaning parts and fueling outdoor fires.

Gasoline stored in and around the home seemed to present a special hazard

for children. There are indications that the flammable liquid problem may

be increasing in magnitude. Data on admissions to the Shriner's Burns

Institute in Galveston, Texas show an increase in admissions of children

injured in- accidents involving flammable liquids from 25% of the cases admitted December-May, 1972 to 42% of the cases admitted December-May,

1974. 8 Contamination of a fabric with a flammable liquid seems to over- shadow the flammability characteristics of the fabric involved; therefore,

fabric flammability standards will do little to prevent this type of accident. Since the misuse of flammable liquids is primarily a behavioral

problem, effective public education or the proper use and storage of flammable liquids seems the best approach to the problem. Tyrrell [12] discussed flammable liquid involvement in fire accidents at length and offered

specific recommendations for education in this area.

5.4. Reactions to Apparel Ignition

Another problem area dealing with human behavior was that of victim

reaction to apparel ignition. Many of the victims studied panicked and

did not immediately take effective action to extinguish the fire. Public

education, while not likely to completely prevent panic initiated reactions

might reduce the number of unsatisfactory reactions by providing information on what should be done in case of apparel ignition. Another approach

might be to develop fabrics which, after ignition, are relatively easy to

extinguish. Research on ease of extinguishment [12] has been limited;

therefore, additional research could be worthwhile.

5.5. Common Ignition Sources

Finally, some attention should be given to the redesign of some com- mon ignition sources such as matches, kitchen ranges and space heaters to

y It is the author's suggestion that some financial relief for the elderly

might be achieved by provision of flame retardant sleepwear through an existing health care program such as Medicare.

8 Date obtained from private correspondence with Sara Bolieu, Dr. Ormond

Goldman and Dr. Duane Larson, Shriner's Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas.

28
minimize misuse and to make their use less of a hazard to the public.

oc Although certain ignition sources appear very frequently in the data,

progress in modifying product design to make these ignition sources less

of a hazard seems very slow.

5.6. Apparel Flammability

It seems clear that apparel fires present more of a hazard for some segments of the population than for others. While the children's sleepwear

standard is aimed at providing maximum protection for a high risk group,

the data do not seem to indicate a need for this level of protection for

the entire population. The level of protection which is needed is of

course subject to debate. In addition to the inherent flammability of some

fabrics, mannequin research [14] has indicated that certain garment con- figurations may present more of a fire hazard than others, both from the

standpoint of probability of ignition and the rate of flame spread after

ignition. Existing accident data on the relationship between point of

ignition, garment shape, rate of flame spread and injury severity is,

however, extremely limited. Additional information on these relationships

would be valuable in developing a test method which reflects the hazard

presented by various garments. In the development of a standard for general apparel, it would seem that both the physical characteristics associated with the garment and the use (or human) characteristics associated

with the wearer should be considered. It would seem that a standard that

ignores either of these areas is likely to offer insufficient protection to some segments of the population and/or force other segments of the population to pay for protection that is not needed.

If a test method for general apparel could be developed, which would

identify several levels or degrees of flammability, the level of protection

could be related to the risk. Perhaps with adequate information the con- sumer could even make the final decision about the level of protection he

needs and is willing to pay for.

Finally, some monitoring and analysis of apparel fire accident patterns should continue in the future, both to identify changing problems

associated with changing life styles and technology and to measure the

effectiveness of programs initiated to reduce fire accident loss.

6. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

This study attempted to identify and analyze the relationships between

various apparel fire accident variables for the purpose of determining

which types of remedial action are likely to be most effective in reducing

human and economic loss from apparel fires. The results of the study presented in this and previous papers [8,9,10] have shown the problem to be a complex one, with much interaction between physical and human variables.

The relationships established between human factors such as age, sex, and

defensive capability and injury severity suggest that a purely technologi29
cal solution such as mandatory fabric flammability standards may not be

adequate to solve the problem. Just as there are many aspects and variables

associated with an apparel fire accident, a program aimed at the prevention

of fire injuries and deaths should be multifaceted and broad in approach.

Reasonable voluntary and/or mandatory fabric flammability standards seem

necessary to provide a minimum level of protection for all consumers and a higher level of protection for certain high risk groups such as children

and the elderly. Standards might also be used to protect consumers from

products which, through their design, present an unnecessary fire hazard in

the home. However, education is also necessary to make the public aware of

the apparel fire problem. This public awareness is important, both from

the standpoint of modification of hazardous behavior patterns and acceptance and use of safer products developed through technology. If progress

could be made in all of these areas, the human and economic loss due to

apparel fire accidents could certainly be reduced significantly.

7 . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledges the advice and support of

Dr. George Buck, Jr., Executive Vice-President of the Cotton Foundation.

The work reported herein was planned and carried out in consultation with

Dr. Buck and was supported in part by the Cotton Foundation.

8 . REFERENCES

[1] Slater, James A., Fire Incidents Involving Sleepwear Worn by Children

Ages 6-12, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 810 (Dec. 1973).

[2] Tyrrell, Elaine A., Fire Accidents Involving the Ignition of Sleepwear Worn by Children Under the Age of Three, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.),

Tech. Note 815 (Feb. 1974).

[3] Slater, James A., Buchbinder, Benjamin and Tovey, Henry, Matches

and Lighters in Flammable Fabrics Incidents: The Magnitude of the

Problem, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 750 (Dec. 1972).

[4] Vickers, Allan K. , Kitchen Ranges in Fabric Fires, Nat. Bur. Stand.

(U.S.), Tech. Note 817 (Apr. 1974).

[5] Crikelair, G. , The Severity of Burns from Clothing Fires, American

Dyestuff Reporter (June 10, 1972).

[6] Feller, I., M.D., Survival of a Severely Burned Child, Surgical

Clinics of North America, Vol. 39 (Apr. 1959).

[7] Schmitt, Richard D. , PhD and Moore, Mike, M.D. , A Study of the

Behavior and Social Epidemiology of Severe Burn Injuries, Proceedings

of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Information Council on Fabric

Flammability (Dec. 1973) 175-193.

30
[8] Buchbinder, Laura Baker, Study of the Relationships Between Activity,

Reactions, Garment Parmeter Patterns and Injury Severity in Fire

Incidents Involving Apparel, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), NBSIR 73-

145 (Apr. 1973).

[9] Buchbinder, Laura Baker, Human Activity Patterns and Injury Severity

in Fire Incidents Involving Apparel, Journal of Fire and Flammability

,

Vol. 1 (Mar. 1974) 4-18.

[10] Buchbinder, Laura Baker, Human Activity Patterns vs Injury Severity

for Apparel Fire Victims, Proceddings of the Seventh Annual Meeting

of the Information Council on Fabric Flammability (Dec. 1973) 236-

253.

[11] Vickers, Allan, Tovey, Henry and Krasny, John, Hazard Analysis of

Apparel Fires: Effect of Selected Garment, Fabric, and Age/Sex

Parameters (to be published).

[12] Tyrrell, Elaine A., Gasoline and Gasoline Container Fire Incidents,

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 850 (Jan. 1975).

[13] Krasny, John F. and Francis, James B. , Ranking Extinguishability

of Burning Fabrics, Textile Chemist and Color is t, Vol. 6, No. 6

(June 1974) 135-136.

[14] Krasny, J. F. and Fisher, Albert, Laboratory Modeling of Garment

Fires, Textile Research Journal, Vol. 43, No. 5 (May 1973).

31
APPENDIX A. ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION CODES

Al. Code Al (Type of Accident)

1 Accidents not involving flammable or volatile liquids or high voltage

electricity

2 Accidents involving flammable liquids

3 Accidents involving flammable gases or explosives

4 Accidents involving high voltage electricity

A2. Code A2 (Type of Activity)

General activity unknown

A Starting a fire

B Using fire or similar ignition source

C Using flammable or volatile liquids

D Using special ignition sources

E Extinguishing a fire

F Escaping a fire

G Standing, sitting, or moving near an ignition source H Standing near an explosion

1 Playing or climbing near an ignition source

J Playing with an ignition source

K Playing with flammable or volatile liquid

L Playing with ignition source and flammable liquid

Z Miscellaneous

A3. Code A3 (Additional Information on Activity)

A3.1. Specific Action

Unknown

A Using a range

B Using improper pot holder (skirt, apron, dishtowel, etc.)

C Reaching above ignition source

D Reaching over ignition source

E Leaning back on ignition source

F Warming self

G Sleeping

H Maintaining or repairing machinery or equipment

1 Using machinery or equipment

J Driving automobile, tractor, motor cycle, etc.

K Priming a carburetor

L Refueling equipment

M Using welding torch, soldering iron, or other special ignition

source

N Tending an open fire

Smoking

P Lighting a match or lighter

Q Stirring, stomping or disturbing a fire

R Using flammable liquid on or near ignition source

32
S Using ignition source on or near flammable liquid

T Using flammable liquid to start a fire

U Carrying or transporting flammable liquid

V Using flammable liquid as a cleaning agent

W Using flammable or volatile glue

X Spilling or splashing flammable liquid

Y Heating a flammable substance

Z Miscellaneous

1 Bending over ignition source

2 Falling in or near fire

3 Lighting a cigarette

A4. Code A4 (Additional Information on Activity)

A4.1. Ignition Source

Unknown

A Open fire

B Space heater

C Range burner

D Fireplace

E Campfire

F Incinerator or trash barrel

G Open fire on ground

H Charcoal grill

1 Candles

J Matches or lighter

K Cigarettes, cigar, or pipe

L Oven

M Hot water heater

N Furnace

Fireworks or explosives

P Sparks or shorts

Q Backfire or flashback

R Flaming liquid

S Grease

T Welding or cutting torch

U Soldering iron

V Bunsen burner, etc.

W Farm machinery

X Lawn mower

Y Undesignated smoking materials

1 Flammable liquid on clothing

2 Hot plate

3 Malfunctioning equipment

4 Broiler (range or elec. broiler)

5 Pilot light

6 Trailer or camper range, stove, or tank

7 Heating pad or electric blanket

Z Miscellaneous

33
A5. Code A5 (Location and Occupational Relationship)

Unknown location and/or occupational relationship

1 Non-work of leisure — Outdoors

2 Non-work or leisure — Indoors

3 Non-work or leisure — Car

4 Work-related occupational — Outdoors

5 Work-related nonoccupational — Outdoors

6 Work-related occupational — Indoors

7 Work-related nonoccupational — Outdoors

8 Work-related occupational — Car

9 Nonoccupational (work or leisure) — Car

A Playing Outdoors

B Playing Indoors

C Playing in Car

Z Miscellaneous

A6. Code A6 (Contributing Circumstances)

A6.1. Multivalued

No known contributing circumstances

1 Physically disabled

2 Mentally disabled, disturbed, or retarded

3 111

4 Unconscious

5 Asleep

6 Intoxicated

7 Drugged

8 Elderly

9 Senile

B Previous problems with fire

C Victim not engaged in activity causing fire accident

D Child trying to do adult task

E Explosion

F Emotional stress or depression - stated fatigue

G Garment cited not in data base

Z Miscellaneous

APPENDIX B. REACTION CLASSIFICATION CODES

Bl. Defensive Capability Codes

1 Immediate recognition of danger

A Delayed recognition of danger

U Unknown

N Not applicable

34
Bl.l. Code R2

2 Normal adult reaction capability

B Slowed or illogical reaction due to age, physical, or mental condition

U Unknown

N Not applicable

B1.2. Code R3

3 Help available immediately

C No help available

4 Help available close by (not in immediate vicinity)

U Unknown

N Not applicable

B2. Defensive Action Codes

B2.1. Multivalued

1 Beat flames with hands

2 Roll on ground

3 Wrap in rug, blanket, pillow, etc.

4 Douse with water

5 Try to remove garment

6 Other positive action

A Take no action — stunned

B Run

C Struggle with help

D Fan flames (jumping, with hands, etc.)

E Panic and other negative actions

F Delay for reason other than above

U Unknown

N Not applicable

APPENDIX C. GARMENT CLASSIFICATION CODES

CI. Code Gl (Garment type of configuration)

A Semi- loose top

B Loose top

C Loose pants

D Fitted pants

E Shorts

F Long shift (Non-fitted waistline probable)

G Dress (Fitted waistline probable)

H Pant-shirt combination (Shirt out)

I Shorts-shirt combination (Shirt out)

35
J Loose pants-Loose top combination (as in pajamas)

K Pants-shirt combination (Shirt in)

Sleeve

R Shorts-shirt combination (Shirt in)

S Shift (Dress, gown, etc. with probable non-fitted waistline)

W Pants /shirt combination (Exact configuration unknown)

X Dress (Configuration unknown)

Z Miscellaneous

U Unknown

C2. Code G2 (Fit at point of ignition)

A Mostly loose, some medium fit

B Mostly medium, some loose fit

C Mostly medium, some tight fit

D Mostly tight, some medium fit

L Loose fitting

M Medium fitting

T Tight fitting

U Unknown

N Not applicable

C3. Code G3 (Fit at point of most severe injury)

A Mostly loose, some medium fit

B Mostly medium, some loose fit

C Mostly medium, some tight fit

D Mostly tight, some medium fit

L Loose fitting

M Medium fitting

T Tight fitting

U Unknown

N Not applicable (Garment did not ignite, did not cover area of most

severe burn or area covered by clothing less seriously burned than

exposed area)

C4. Code G4 (Garment contribution to injury)

M Primary agent (Major contribution to severity of burn injury)

S Secondary agent (Not the primary agent causing injury)

N Not involved in injury (Did not ignite or did not cover area of

injury)

P Protected from injury or lessened severity of injury

U Unknown

36
NBS-114A (REV. 7-73)

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBS Tech Note 867

2. Gov't Accession

No.

3. Recipient's Accession No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. Publication Date June 1975

Relationship of Garment Characteristics and Other

Variables to Fire Injury Severity

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

Laura Baker Buchbinder

8. Performing Organ. Report No.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. 4910571

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

The Cotton Foundation

1918 North Parkway

Memphis , Tennessee 38112

13. Type of Report & Period CoveredFinal

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 75-600026

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less tactual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) This final report on an in-depth study of apparel fire accident variables focuses

on the physical parameters of fabrics and garments involved in apparel fires and the

relationship between these parameters and injury severity. Interactions between accident variables are summarized and recommendations for remedial action and further

research are included. Garments involved in apparel fire accidents were classified by

degree of fit and amount of the body covered. Fires in which the garment configurations

involved covered over half the body (the dress/shift and pants/top configurations) were

shown to be associated with more extensive burn injuries than fires involving configurations covering smaller areas (loose tops, fitted pants, and loose pants). Degree of

fit could not be shown to be directly related to injury severity. Within garment con- figuration classifications, age was shown to be a major determinant of injury severity,

with victims over 65 years of age receiving a significantly higher percentage of severe

burns than those in the 21-65 age group. In accidents involving loose tops, fitted

pants, and loose pants the presence of flammable liquids in the accident sequence

appeared to be the dominant factor in determining injury level. In addition, when accidents involved flammable liquids, (1) the fabrics involved tended to be heavier, (2)

the fit of the garment at point of ignition was closer, and (3) the proportion of cellulosic/synthetic blend and 100% synthetic fabrics was higher than in accidents which did

not involve flammable liquids. Because of the many human and physical variables shown

to be associated with an apparel fire accident, the author suggests a broad fire

prevention program wbich inc ludes both produc t regula t ion and pub l ic educat ion

17. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons)

Accident patterns; apparel; apparel fires; burn injury; FFACTS; fire; flammable fabrics;

flammable liquids; garment fires; garment parameters; injury severity; victim's

activity; victim's reactions.

18. AVAILABILITY [^Unlimited

[ I For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

I Yl Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing, Office Washington, D.C. 20402, SD Cat. No. C13. 46:8b7

. I I Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

-Springfield, Virginia 22151

19. SECURITY CLASS

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USCOMM.DC 29042-P74

TimeWasWhen

BietgyWas

Cheaper

...but that's ail changed now.

Today, increased energy costs—caused by in- creasing demand—boost the price of consumer

goods, fuel inflation, and hurt our balance of payments.

That's why conserving energy is a must today,

especially for you in the business and industry

community which uses two thirds of our nation's energy. Now . . . there's a book to tell you how to do

it. It's called EPIC—the Energy Conservation

Program Guide for Industry and Commerce. Pre- pared for you by the Commerce Department's

National Bureau of Standards in cooperation

with the Federal Energy Administration. EPIC is a comprehensive handbook that can

help you establish or improve an energy conservation program in your organization. Not only industry and commerce but also hospitals, universities, research institutes, ANY or- ganization that uses energy—and has to pay

the bills—will want a copy of EPIC. EPIC outlines in detail the steps in setting up

an energy conservation program.

It contains a checklist of more than 200 Energy

Conservation Opportunities—suggestions to save

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE /National

energy in a dozen different areas. EPIC's actual case histories of energy saving

actions help you estimate your potential for saving energy—and reducing costs. And EPIC contains much more—financial analysis procedures to evaluate projects, sources of information on energy conservation, engineering data and factors, an energy conservation bib- liography.

Make EPIC part of your plan to control energy use and costs. Make EPIC part of your contri- bution to using energy resources wisely ... so we can keep America working and growing.

To order your copy of EPIC, send $2.50 per copy (check, money order or Superintendent of Documents Coupons) to Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

WjL AskforNBS Handbook

~\ H5, EPIC, C13.11:115.

JmI Discount of 25% on

orders of 100 copies or more.

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Bureau of Standards
HWWWMWM

• ••

You don't have time to play hide-and-seek with the information you

need. Keeping up with all of the publications in your field is important, but

it can be a full-time job. We can help. Each week, as a

subscriber to our BUSINESS SERVICE

CHECKLIST, you'll get a comprehensive

roundup of new U.S. Department of Commerce publications, with descriptive^

information and how-to-order data. You'll know about our latest published

information on . . .

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< Domestic business trends

% Foreign trade developments

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In addition, the Key Business Indicators section of each issue will give you a capsule picture of today's economic

trends and developments.

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NBS TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

PERIODICALS JOURNAL OF RESEARCH reports National Bureau

of Standards research and development in physics,

mathematics, and chemistry. It is published in two sections, available separately:

• Physics and Chemistry (Section A)

Papers of interest primarily to scientists working in these fields. This section covers a broad range of physical and chemical research, with major emphasis on

standards of physical measurement, fundamental constants, and properties of matter. Issued six times a

year. Annual subscription: Domestic, $17.00; Foreign,

$21.25.

• Mathematical Sciences (Section B)

Studies and compilations designed mainly for the mathematician and theoretical physicist. Topics in mathematical statistics, theory of experiment design, numerical analysis, theoretical physics and chemistry, logical design and programming of computers and computer

systems. Short numerical tables. Issued quarterly. Annual subscription: Domestic, $9.00; Foreign, $11.25. DIMENSIONS/NBS (formerly Technical News Bulletin) —This monthly magazine is published to inform

scientists, engineers, businessmen, industry, teachers,

students, and consumers of the latest advances in science and technology, with primary emphasis on the work at NBS. The magazine highlights and reviews such

issues as energy research, fire protection, building tech- nology, metric conversion, pollution abatement, health and safety, and consumer product performance. In addition, it reports the results of Bureau programs in measurement standards and techniques, properties of matter and materials, engineering standards and services, instrumentation, and automatic data processing. Annual subscription: Domestic, $9.45; Foreign, $11.85.

NONPERIODICALS Monographs—Major contributions to the technical liter- ature on various subjects related to the Bureau's scientific and technical activities. Handbooks—Recommended codes of engineering and

industrial practice (including safety codes) developed

in cooperation with interested industries, professional

organizations, and regulatory bodies.

Special Publications—Include proceedings of confer- ences sponsored by NBS, NBS annual reports, and other

special publications appropriate to this grouping such

as wall charts, pocket cards, and bibliographies.

Applied Mathematics Series—Mathematical tables, manuals, and studies of special interest to physicists, engineers, chemists, biologists, mathematicians, computer programmers, and others engaged in scientific and technical work.

National Standard Reference Data Series—Provides

quantitative data on the physical and chemical properties of materials, compiled from the world's literature and critically evaluated. Developed under a world-wide

program coordinated by NBS. Program under authority

of National Standard Data Act (Public Law 90-396). NOTE: At present the principal publication outlet for these data is the Journal of Physical and Chemical

Reference Data (JPCRD) published quarterly for NBS

by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Subscriptions, reprints, and supplements available from ACS, 1155 Sixteenth

St. N. W., Wash. D. C. 20056.

Building Science Series—Disseminates technical infor- mation developed at the Bureau on building materials, components, systems, and whole structures. The series presents research results, test methods, and performance criteria related to the structural and environmental functions and the durability and safety characteristics of building elements and systems.

Technical Notes—Studies or reports which are complete

in themselves but restrictive in their treatment of a

subject. Analogous to monographs but not so comprehensive in scope or definitive in treatment of the subject area. Often serve as a vehicle for final reports of work performed at NBS under the sponsorship of other government agencies.

Voluntary Product Standards—Developed under pro- cedures published by the Department of Commerce in Part 10, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of the standards is to establish nationally

recognized requirements for products, and to provide

all concerned interests with a basis for common under- standing of the characteristics of the products. NBS

administers this program as a supplement to the activities of the private sector standardizing organizations. Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) —Publications in this series collectively constitute the Federal Information Processing Standards Register. Register serves as the official source of information in the Federal Government regarding stand- ards issued by NBS pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 as amended,

Public Law 89-306 (79 Stat. 1127), and as implemented

by Executive Order 11717 (38 FR 12315, dated May 11, 1973) and Part 6 of Title 15 CFR (Code of Federal

Regulations). Consumer Information Series—Practical information, based on NBS research and experience, covering areas

of interest to the consumer. Easily understandable language and illustrations provide useful background

knowledge for shopping in today's technological

marketplace.

NBS Interagency Reports (NBSIR)—A special series of interim or final reports on work performed by NBS for outside sponsors (both government and non-government). In general, initial distribution is handled by the sponsor; public distribution is by the National Technical Information Service (Springfield, Va. 22161) in paper

copy or microfiche form.

Order NBS publications (except NBSIR's and Biblio- graphic Subscription Services) from: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,

D.C. 20402. BIBLIOGRAPHIC SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

The following current-awareness and literature-survey

bibliographies are issued periodically by the Bureau:

Cryogenic Data Center Current Awareness Service A literature survey issued biweekly. Annual subscription: Domestic, $20.00; foreign, $25.00.

Liquefied Natural Gas. A literature survey issued quarterly. Annual subscription: $20.00. Superconducting Devices and Materials. A literature

survey issued quarterly. Annual subscription: $20.00. Send subscription orders and remittances for the pre- ceding bibliographic services to National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161.

Electromagnetic Metrology Current Awareness Service Issued monthly. Annual subscription: $100.00 (Special rates for multi-subscriptions). Send subscription order and remittance to Electromagnetics Division, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo. 80302.
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