NBSIR 75-902

A Survey of Fire Accidents Involving

Curtains and Draperies - Deaths,

Injuries and Financial Loss

L. Dow Moore and Allan K. Vickers

Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

December 1975

Final Report

U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

NBSIR 75-902

A SURVEY OF FIRE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING

CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES - DEATHS,

INJURIES AND FINANCIAL LOSS

L. Dow Moore and Allan K. Vickers

Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

December 1975

Final Report

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

James A. Baker, III, Under Secretary

Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Acting Director

CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF TABLES iv

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. CURTAIN AND DRAPE INVOLVEMENT 2

3. LOCATION OF C/D ACCIDENTS 3

3.1. Types of C/Ds Involved and Their Location 3

4. IGNITION ORIGINATION AND FIRE SPREAD SEQUENCES 6

5. DEATHS AND DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL RESULTING FROM C/D FIRES ... 9

6. MAJOR FIRES INVOLVING C/Ds 14

7. FINANCIAL LOSS RESULTING FROM C/D IGNITION 16

8. OTHER SURVEYS AND OPINIONS 17

9. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 19

10. RECOMMENDATIONS 20

11. REFERENCES 20

APPENDIX A. ABSTRACTS OF 32 "FIRE SPREAD" FFACTS CASES 22

APPENDIX B. ABSTRACTS OF 12 "FIRE SPREAD" NEISS CASES 28

iii
LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1. Cases in FFACTS File Data Bank: 3,132 2

Table 2. Other C/D Cases Reviewed 4

Table 3. Location of Curtain/Drapery Accidents 4

Table 4. C/D Weight/Sq Yard Distribution with Respect to

Location and Ignition Source 5

Table 5. Fiber Type - C/D Fabric Analyzed at NBS (FFACTS) . . 6

Table 6. Ignition Sequences from FFACTS and NEISS Case

Histories 7

Table 7. FFACTS File, Curtain Ignition Objects - Number of

Cases Per Source and Percent of Known Causes .... 8

Table 8. Curtain and Drapery Ignition Sources: Total of FFACTS,

NFPA and NEISS Files - All First-to-Ignite 10

Table 9. Tabulation of Small and Large Flame Ignitions and

Their Locations: K=*Kitchen, L=Living Room, B^Bedroom,

M=»Misc 11

Table 10. Disposition of Victims in Fires Involving C/Ds - FFACTS File 12

Table 11. Summary of "32 C/D Fire Spread Cases" in FFACTS File

Deaths and Financial Damage .13

Table 12. NEISS and NFPA Files - Average Deaths Per Case ... 15

Table 13. Deaths Resulting from Fabric Involvement 15

Table 14. Total Property and Content Loss and C/D Involvement

Cases 17

Table 15. Total Property and Content Loss for First-to-Ignite,

FFACTS File Cases 18

iv
A SURVEY OF FIRE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES

- DEATHS, INJURIES AND FINANCIAL LOSS -

L. Dow Moore and Allan K. Vickers

A case history survey of 286 fire accidents was conducted.

This survey was composed of three groups of case histories in

which curtains or draperies (C/Ds) were involved. The cases were analyzed in detail, attempting to ascertain the extent to

which these products represented fire hazards.

As none of the three files were chosen on a statistical

basis, projection of the data to the overall fire hazard situation is not technically feasible.

To learn more of the physical nature of burning C/Ds,

and to supply information that may be utilized to judge the

extent of hazard, it is recommended that full-scale experiments be conducted.

Key words: Curtains; draperies; FFACTS system; fire; flammable

fabrics; NFPA.

1 . INTRODUCTION

The question arose concerning the severity of C/Ds as fire hazards.

It is well known that they burn very rapidly; however, are they the primary product ignited and do they spread the fire or is their role only

secondary in nature?

To gain information on the hazard severity a two step program was

formulated. First, a survey would be made of the literature as well as fire accident case histories. Second, if this information did not appear

conclusive, full-scale burn experiments would be conducted to supply

missing physical data — the data to be the physical conditions a person

would be subjected to in a C/D fire.

This report summarizes the literature survey. The literature search

included visits to the Programmatic Center for Fire Research Library at

the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), a survey by their staff, and a visit to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Library in Boston.

In addition, fire accident cases at the National Bureau of Standards, i.e.,

the Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing System (FFACTS) file; at

NFPA; and at the Bureau of Epidemiology of the Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) (the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System

(NEISS)) in Bethesda, were studied in detail. Computer printouts were

obtained from all three agencies summarizing the many data elements of

each case.

1
2. CURTAIN AND DRAPE INVOLVEMENT

After reading the case histories it was evident that curtains and

draperies are involved in fires in a vast number of ways. A minor

accident might Involve kitchen curtains blown into the burner of a gas

range and the victim suffering a burnt hand when pulling them down — to save the rest of the kitchen. A more serious accident could start late

in the evening with a cigarette dropped in the seat of an upholstered

sofa — the family goes to bed — an hour later the sofa bursts into

flame and ignites the adjacent draperies. Fire spreads rapidly up the

draperies and ignites the combustible ceiling. Combustion gases travel

to the bedroom area and asphyxiate the parents and their children.

A total of 286 fire cases were studied in detail. They were examined for pattern of involvement and severity of the accident, both to

life and property. One-hundred-forty-seven of the cases were contained

in the FFACTS files (see table 1). At the time of this investigation

this file contained 3,132 incident case histories in its data bank,

involving 3,886 fabric items. It should be noted that when FFACTS was

first implemented in 1970, the collection of information on fire accidents involving personal injury was stressed. A large percentage of the

first one- thousand incidents involved accidental garment ignition.

Therefore, the distribution of the types of fabric fires in the FFACTS

file do not represent the actual proportions of such fires in the United

States.

The source of other case histories studied are indicated in table 2.

After eliminating those duplicated at NBS, 52 in-depth case history

studies were on file at the Bureau of Epidemiology (CPSC) . In addition,

the NFPA computer printout listed 73 incidents, of which 43 occurred in

dwellings, apartments, and mobile homes. (As defined by NFPA "Dwellings,

One- and Two-Family" are defined as private dwellings and duplexes each

occupied by members of a single family group; with total sleeping accomodations for no more than 20 persons, etc.) A separate literature search

revealed fourteen more cases.

Table 1. Cases in FFACTS File Data Bank: 3,132

Total Cases First-to-Ignite

* Curtains and Draperies 147 60

Other Furnishings 625 471

Garments 2,478 1,752

Bedding ' 636 386

TOTAL 3,886* 2,669

93% in dwelling

2
3. LOCATION OF C/D ACCIDENTS

Within the total C/D cases the greatest number, 78 (41%), occurred

in the living room of the residence as indicated in table 3. The bedroom

was second in frequency of occurence with 68 (35%) . (Nine accidents in

the living room and 11 in the bedroom were started by children ages 2 to

7 playing with matches or a cigarette lighter. Of these 20 cases, the

ignition sequence was known in 13 and in 6 cases the child ignited the

C/Ds. They ignited bedding in 4 other cases and upholstered furniture in

3.)

When the data were tabulated for f irst~to-ignite C/Ds, the living

room location was still first, and the bedroom second, but the kitchen

incidents rose from 15% to 24% of the total. Incidently, 75% of the firstto-ignite kitchen curtain fires in the FFACTS file were ignited by the

cooking range. In seven of these, flaming grease was an intermediarj'

material.

3.1. Types of C/Ds Involved and Their Location

A detailed description of types of curtains and draperies involved in

these accidents would be quite extensive because of many variables. Some

•

of these variables are whether the C/D was a film or fabric, the weight

per square yard, type of weave and construction, chemical nature of the

yarn, and whether the C/D was lined or flocked. Many of the C/D samples

received at NBS with the FFACTS case histories were analyzed for fiber

type and weight per square yard. Table 4 lists individual weights of

C/Ds' measurements, their location in the residence, and the ignition

source which will be discussed later. Among these cases the average

weight hanging in the living room and bedroom were 6.9 and 6.3 oz/sq yd,

respectively, and the kitchen curtains averaged 2.4 oz/sq yd. The spread

around these averages is quite large. This is expected since sheer "glass

curtains" often placed next to the window glass and under overhanging

draperies in a living room may weigh as little as 0.8 oz/yd^. On the

other hand heavy draperies that are lined with a layer of acrylic foam

attached to the fabric may weigh as much as 14 to 16 oz/yd^. However,

the substantial fabric weight difference between kitchen C/Ds and those

found in other rooms occurs consistently, as might be expected.

Of the 147 C/Ds involved in fires recorded in FFACTS, 62 C/D fabrics

were analyzed for type of fiber. These data are shown in table 5. Of the

many types of fiber and blends found, cotton, rayon, acetate and fiberglass were the predominant fibers. (Although fiberglass filaments themselves do not burn, some of the dyestuffs, flocking, and foam backing used

in curtain fabrication will support combustion.)

3
Table 2. Other C/D Cases Reviewed

Total rpespc!

NEISS Files 52 20

NFPA

Dwellings, Apartments, Mobile

Homes 43 43

Public Occupancies 30 25

Literature Survey 14

*All dwelling fires

Table 3. Location of Curtain/Drapery Accidents

Summation of Case Histories in FFACTS, NEISS, and NFPA* Files

Total Cases First-to-Ignite Cases

Kitchen 28 (14.6%) 28 (24.3%)

Living Room 79 (41.1%) 46 (40.1%)

Bedroom 68 (35.4%) 32 (27.8%)

+ Misc. 17 ( 8.9%) 9 ( 7.8%)

TOTAL 192 (100.0%) 115 (100.0%)

Only f irst-to-ignite cases Includes living room area designated as den, playroom, family room,

lounge

t Includes hall, basement, bathroom, dining room, office
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At NBS (FFACTS)

Fiber Type Percent

Cotton

Rayon/Acetate

Fiberglass

Cotton/Rayon

Rayon

Plastic Film

Polyester

Rayon/Cotton

Misc. (5 blends)

21.0

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Total of 62 samples 100.0

4. IGNITION ORIGINATION AND FIRE SPREAD SEQUENCES

In general, the ignition sequence is recorded as often as possible in

fire investigation cases for the purpose of later studying how the fire

was ignited. For example, a 6-year-old boy playing with matches in his

bedroom ignited a bed sheet, it spread to the blanket which set the cur- tains on fire - they in turn carried the flame to the combustible tile

ceiling. The ignition source was, of course, the match - classified as a small flame in tables 4 and 6 - the sheet was f irst-to-ignite, and the

blanket was second with curtain and ceiling tile third and fourth, respectively. (By definition the FFACTS system is concerned with fabrics and

therefore, the ceiling tile would not be listed in the sequence order.)

1 A recent NFPA article [1] emphasizes the importance of first-toignite material. Although all combustible materials contribute fuel, some

are much more likely to initiate a major fire by being ignited by a small

heat flux. The process of ignition involves raising the temperature of an object to a sufficiently high level to generate combustible gases, applying

a high temperature source to these gases, and providing sufficient contact

with oxygen to support combustion. Most fabric can support and transfer

such combustion under favorable circumstances.

The fabrics covered by FFACTS and NEISS case histories were examined

for ignition sequence. Table 6 lists the order of ignition for four categories of fabric items tabulated in the FFACT System and for the C/D case histories covered in-depth by NEISS. In the 1,111 non-garment fires

recorded by FFACTS, C/Ds and other furnishings were both f irst-to-ignite

in 64% of their respective cases in which they were involved and for which

the ignition sequence was known. Bedding was somewhat lower at 47%.

Numbers in brackets refer to the literature references listed at the

end of this paper.

6
Table 6. Ignition Sequences from FFACTS and NEISS Case Histories

(All Exclusive of Flammable Liquids)

FFACTS 11 lit i- lJ O

Curtains/ Other Curtains/

Draperies Furnishings Bedding Garments U L dpctXco

Ist-to-Ignite 63.5% 63.4% 46.9% 69.8% 43.2%

2nd-to-Ignite 16.7% 20. 7% 27.9% 23.1% 36.4%

3rd-to-Ignite 14. 6% 10. 1% 16.3% 5.5% 15.9%

4th-to-Ignite 5.2% 5.8% 8.9% 1.6% 4.5%

Total Cases - 96 396 619 1,803 44

Known (100.0%) (100.0%) (100.0%) (100.0%) (100 . 0%)

Cases

Order-ofIgnition 51 229 17 675 7 Unknown

Forty-four NEISS cases indicated that when C/Ds were involved in a household fire they were f irst-to-ignite 43% of the time.

How were these fires ignited? Ignition sources such as cigarettes,

matches, gas ranges, TV sets, electrical wiring, etc. were separated into

5 categories as listed in table 7 (and previously in table 4). In addition, when the C/D was rot the first product to ignite, but was set afire

by a flaming sofa, grease or bedding, it was also included in the 5 categories. Of the 51 known f irst-to-ignite C/D cases in the FFACTS file, 43%

were started by small flame and 29% by large flame sources. About this same ratio was maintained when ignition sources from all 3 files were

tabulated in table 8.

Again, referring to table 7, it appears that cigarettes and cigars

ignited C/Ds in 4 of the cases. It does not seem probable that a smoldering cigarette would ignite a curtain. In all 4 cases the resident and/or

case inspector implied that factual information was "extremely meager."

They implied that factural information was not available but had merely

theorized about the ignition source.

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There was a large shift in large flame ignition from 29% for firstto-ignite to 61% for total cases. To illustrate this change, this ignition

category, as well as the small flame category, was detailed in table 9.

(As only the major ignition sources were plotted, the total cases will not

add up to the 93 in table 7.) The sources in cases where the C/Ds were

second (or later) to ignite are shown separately on the bottom half of the

bar graph. It is evident that a large number of C/Ds were set afire by

flaming bedding and upholstered furniture.

What did the flaming C/Ds ignite? In many accidents the fire sequence

throughout the home was unknot or the ignition ended with the C/Ds.

However, in 44 case histories in the FFACTS file they ignited other fabric

or ceiling and wall materials.

Item No. Cases

Ceiling and Wall Materials 17

Rugs/carpets 10

Upholstered Furniture 9

Bedding 5

Misc. Fabrics 3

5. DEATHS AXD DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL RESULTING FROM C/D FIRES

In a review of the 3,132 cases in the current FFACTS file the 147 C/D cases revealed a total of 44 deaths and 39 hospital victims (see table 10)

.

The death rate per case was 0.30 if the boarding home, Case No. 2413,

involving 10 deaths was included and a rate of 0.23 if not. The first-toignite accidents had a lower death rate at 0.18 per case although the

treated and released victims were almost twice as numerous on a per case

basis.

During the in-depth study of the 147 FFACTS cases, it was evident

that C/Ds were involved in a number of conflagrations and were instrumental

in the spread of the fire from the ignition source to other items in the

house. Thirty-two cases in this category were considered. In 60-70% of

these cases the inspector stated in his report that C/Ds materially

assisted in fire propagation. Each one of these cases is abstracted and

contained in appendix A at the end of this report. For more convenient

review they are also listed in table 11.

In table 10 the indicated death rate for these 32 accidents was 0.45

for dwellings, that is, when case 2,413 was excluded. In 63 percent of

these "firespread" incidents C/Ds were f irst-to-ignite which was the

approximate percentage listed in table 6 for the total C/D cases.

9
Table 8. Curtain and Drapery Ignition Sources:

Total of FFACTS, NFPA and NEISS Files - All First-to-Ignite

C/D Ignition Source

Firstto-Ignite

Ember > .

.

Cigarettes, Cigars l., 5 6 (6%)

Small Flame:

Matches, Candle, Gas ' Range, Lighter,

Flaming Garment 43 (42%)

Large Flame:

TV Set, Flaming SofaChair-Carpet-Beddmg

,

Grease, Flammable

Liquid, Explosion 24 (24%)

High Heat Flux (No flame)

Electric Range, Light

Bulbs, Space Heater 15 (15%)

Arc (Electrical)

Electric Wiring, Electric

Blanket, Combustion

Engine 14 (14%)

Unknown: 17 (-)*

; Total ,

' 119 (-)

Unknown ignitions not included in percentages.

10
Table 9. Tabulation of Small and Large Flame Ignitions and

Their Locations: K=Kitchen, L=Living Room, B=Bedroom, M=Misc.

Ist-to-Ignlte

Small Flame:

Match or Lighter

Candle

Gas Range

Large Flame:

Grease

Xraas Tree or F.Liq,

TV Set

2nd- (or Latter)-toIgnite

Small Flame:

Flaming Garment

Large Flame:

Flaming SofaChair

Carpet

Bedding

Number of Cases

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

t I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I J

K

K

K

K

B M

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12
Table 11. Summary of "32 C/D Fire Spread Cases" in FFACTS File

Deaths and Financial Damage

Case C/D Position in Deaths or Total

Xc . Ignition Sequence Hospital Cases Damages

1093 2nd $ 8,000

1116 1st 30,000

1528 2nd _ 6,000

1533 1st _ 20,000

1591 2nd 8,500

1669 3rd 3 Hosp . - 2 Deaths _ 1789 1st _ 6,000

1824 1st 25,000

1860 1st 3 Deaths

2373 1st 3 Deaths

2413 2nd 10 Deaths

2597 2nd 6,000

2993 2nd 2,000

3027 2nd 1 Death 6,500

3064 2nd 25,000

3125 1st

3168 2nd 7,000

3244 1st 1 Hosp. - 1 Died 21,000

3267 1st 5,000

3276 1st 1 Hosp.

3329 1st _ 500

3424 2nd _ 10,000;^

3466 1st 10,000

3471 1st _ 6,600

3524 2nd _ 1,200^

3545 1st _ 8,000"

3561 1st 3 Deaths - 3665 1st 900

3668 1st 5 , 000

3673 1st 1 Death 8,000

3768 1st 1 Hosp.

o "7 n o 3793 1st Q Ann O , (JUL) 63% 1st Total 24 Deaths $234,200

34% 2nd Average $/Case $ 9,760

3% 3rd

Estimated by L. D . Moore

13
Tabulation of the 52 cases in the files at the Bureau of Epidemiology

(NEISS), i.e. those not duplicated at NBS, gave a death rate of 0.25 per case (see table 12) . The 25 NFPA cases (according to NFPA personnel) had

been chosen for investigation because they were extraordinarily disastrous

accidents. This accounts for the very high 0.84 deaths per case.

The spread of fire by C/Ds seemed especially pronounced in 12 of the

52 NEISS cases. In these accidents, which are also abstracted and attached

as appendix B, ten (10) victims were killed and two hospitalized.

To obtain a possible comparison of the death per case rate within

fabric item groups consistent with the method of coding used in the FFACTS

computer system, table 13 restricts data listing to Case No. 1650 through

No. 3838. Proper computer entry had not been made prior to case No. 1650.

the total f irst-to-ignite cases in the group was 1926. Because of some case rejections all numbers between 1650 and 3838 were not used. Only

f irst-to-ignite cases were selected to eliminate any double counting of

incidents

.

The "Other Furnishings Group" consisting primarily of upholstered

furniture and carpeting had the highest number of deaths per case at 0.40.

Garments was lowest at 0.12; however, the 162 deaths involved with these

garment cases is of indisputable significance.

6. MAJOR FIRES INVOLVING C/Ds

There have been a number of fires in public places which have taken a heavy toll of human lives. In a number of cases draperies or fabrics used

as wall or partition covers have been cited as contributing to very rapid

flame spread and generation of panic among the inhabitants. The following

are examples of these instances:

Ref [3] Coconut Grove Night Club Fire 489 died

(Boston, 1942)

It is believed fire started in Melody Lounge (basement) of night

club. False partition walls were covered with fabrics as were ceilings.

These materials as well as other decorations such as artificial palm

trees caused fire to spread very rapidly throughout the building. Fire

spread and toxic gas generation was so rapid that some victims did not even leave their tables.

[4] Sao Paulo 1974 Fire 188 died

Flames reaching up from a lower floor shattered glass in windows above

setting curtains afire which in turn promoted spread to that particular

floor. This was a vertical chain reaction that helped pass the fire from

floor to floor.

14
Table 12. NEISS and NFPA Files - Average Deaths Per Case

No. Total Deaths

Cases Deaths Per Case

NEISS 51 13 .25

NFPA 25 21 .84

Dwelling and apartment fires

Table 13. Deaths Resulting from Fabric Involvement

(FFACTS File, Case No. 1650 through 3838)

First-to-Ignite Cases

No. Total Deaths

Cases Deaths Per Case

Curtains and Draperies 31 10 .32

Other Furnishings 340 145 .40

Garments 1,315 162 .12

Bedding 240 63 .26

15
[5] Greek Night Club "Oscar" (1973) 32 died

Overheated electrical wires on floor under synthetic velvet type

floor covering ignited covering and fire spread to walls which were

profusely covered with combustible curtains of several kinds.

[6] Night Club Detroit (1929) 22 died

Fire of unknown cause started at the foot of a stairway. Entrance

hall and stairway were lined with flammable draperies and decorations.

Fire traveled swiftly up the stairs to the main dance hall on the second

floor.

[7] Watervliet, Michigan Nursing Home (1954) 8-10 died

A glassed-in porch was lined with combustible draperies. They were

ignited by a portable heater and the two-story wooden nursing home was destroyed

.

[8] Restaurant - New York City (1936) 9 died

Flames ignited draperies and wall hangings decorating the walls and

ceiling of a restaurant and caused 150 persons to panic. Nine were

killed and 34 injured when they rushed for the only stairway.

[9] Nursing Home - Billings, Montana (1953) 6 died

Nursing home was destroyed when curtains were accidently ignited.

7. FINANCIAL LOSS RESULTING FROM C/D IGNITION

Table 14 lists only dollar loss to the residential property and

contents in the dwelling. No attempt is made to put a value on work days

lost or hospital and doctor bills. Approximately 50% of the C/D case histories in the NEISS and FFACTS files recorded an estimated financial

loss. The losses per case were $5,670 and $5,070, respectively. The

severe fire accidents within the FFACTS cases which were especially attributed to curtains and draperies had an average dollar loss of $9,760 - almost twice that of the other cases. These 32 cases were not chosen

because of their high dollar loss - loss was not tabulated at the time - but because burning C/Ds promoted fire intensity and flame spread to other

parts of the dwelling. When the NEISS case histories were reviewed in the same manner, of twelve cases selected (appendix B) , seven recorded loss

estimates averaging $8,280.

The 25 NFPA cases listed in table 14 were selected by NFPA because

they were especially disastrous fires. Eighteen of these averaged $22,700

each, with the losses ranging between $400 and $75,000. The dollar losses

for the FFACTS and NEISS cases ranged from a low of $50 to a high of

$30,000.

16
Table 14. Total Property and Content Loss for C/D Involvement Cases

Case Total Total Cases, ($) Loss Per

Files Cases Dollars Recorded Case ($)

FFACTS 147 $344, 600 68 $5,070

C/D Spread 32 234 , 200 24 9 , 760

NEISS 52 152,400 27 5,670

NFPA 25 408,400 18 22,700

In the September 1973, Fire Journal [2], NFPA published an estimated

loss for one- and two-family dwelling fires for the year 1972. There were

562,500 dwelling fires in the Nation which caused an estimated $638,500,000

loss. The average loss per fire of $1,100 indicates many minor fires were

included in the tabulation. Although it is difficult to assess the situation accurately, it appears from the accident case records that fires involving C/Ds and other furnishings are much more devastating than the

average.

Is it possible to compare the financial loss of C/D fires with those

in which carpets, upholstered furniture, bedding, and garments are involved? The f irst-to-ignite tabulation in the FFACTS file yielded the

information in table 15. As indicated previously the accident incidents

listed in this file were not collected for the purpose of statistical

extrapolation. However, considering just this group of cases, the loss

per C/D involvement fire was slightly higher than, but essentially comparable, to cases wherein other furnishings were the f irst-to-ignite. The

average loss per f irst-to-ignite bedding fires at $1,280 per case was approximately one-fourth that of the furnishings loss per case. Bedding

was low possibly because of the presence of people near the accident

scene.

8. OTHER SURVEYS AND OPINIONS

A number of surveys and "opinion polls" have been conducted regarding

the fire hazards of C/Ds. A recent U.S. household survey conducted by

the Bureau of Census and jointly sponsored by NBS and CPSC was extrapolated

to the total U.S. population. Counting fabric items that were f irst-toignite gave C/Ds 19,000 incidents with 124,000 for upholstered furniture,

142,000 for carpets and rugs, 115,000 for bedding, and 159,000 for clothing. Do these figures represent the true picture?

Rexford Wilson, Fire Record Editor of NFPA, at the 1962 Textile Flammability Conference in his paper titled "Fires Involving Non-clothing

Fabrics" stated:

17
"Hanging textiles, i.e., curtains, tapestries, cubicle

I curtains in hospitals, wall coverings, can greatly increase

the initial rate of fire spread. Large cloth panels, often

with both surfaces exposed to air, can create a very rapidly

spreading fire. Burning hanging textiles often generate intense heat that is sufficient to ignite other combustibles.

The panic that is apt to result at the sight of a rapidly

spreading sizeable flame is another hazard of hanging fabrics."

In a 1974 residential fire survey [10] copyrighted by the National

Curtain, Drapery and Allied Products Association Inc., a total of 355,916

fire accidents was covered by 248 respondents, i.e., fire marshals, fire

chiefs and insurance claim representatives. Incidently, approximately

2,500 fire accidents were unveiled by the flammable liquids, electrical

wiring, refuse/garbage, plastic products, and others. Of this group fabric was the highest at approximately 26%. Within this group which included C/Ds upholstered furniture covers, clothing, mattresses, bedding

and others, C/Ds were the highest contributors to "Most Fire Spread,"

"Severest Hazard in the Home," and "Greatest Property Loss."

The last two references above were based largely' on opinions although

they were educated opinions) and the Census Bureau report on a small

sample of the U.S. population. Who is correct?

Table 15. Total Property and Content Loss for First-to-Ignite,

FFACTS File Cases

First-to-Ignite Cases Only

Number of Cases

for which $ Recorded

Total

Loss

Loss

Per Case

$ Recorded

Cases % of

Total

Curtains & Draperies 23 $115,000 $5,000 40%

Other Furnishings 150 657,000 4,380 30%

Garments 91 162,000

* 1,780 5%

Bedding 206 263,600 1,280 50%

If flammable liquids and other intermediary materials are excluded, the

loss per case is $398.

18
9. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

A survey was made of 281 fire accident case histories in which cur- tains and draperies (C/Ds) were involved. The survey included a review

of these fire incidents contained in files at the National Bureau of

Standards, the Bureau of Epidemiology - National Electronic Injury Surveillance System - of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and National

Fire Protection Association as well as these from a literature search.

A major portion (41%) of the fires started in the living room with

bedroom and kitchen incidents comprising 35% and 15% of the total respectively. Cotton was the most frequently involved fabric with blends of

rayon/acetate, and cotton/rayon as well as fiberglass also significantly

represented. Fabric weights of the C/Ds averaged 6.9, 6.3, and 2.4 oz/sq

yd for the living room, bedroom and kitchen locations, respectively.

Fire records in the Flammable Fabrics Accident Cases and Testing

System (FFACTS) File at NBS indicate C/Ds were the first materials to be

ignited by matches, grease, electrical shorts, candles, and gas ranges

in decreasing order of frequency. If C/Ds ignited later in the fire

spread sequences they usually caught fire from flaming upholsfered furniture or bedding. In the known fire spread sequences, burning C/Ds most

frequently ignited ceiling and wall materials of the house.

Excluding commercial establishments 223 case histories reviewed listed

a total of 78 deaths. The death incidence per case ranged from 0.23 for some of the FFACTS cases to 0.84 for the 25 NFPA accident histories. A

total of 44 incidents selected because C/Ds were instrumental in spreading

the fire throughout the house claimed 2 to 3 times as many death victims

per case as the overall C/D cases.

In 113 cases where the property and house contents financial losses

were recorded the average was $8,000 per incident.

The fire accident case histories reviewed were not chosen on a statistical basis and therefore the data should not be extrapolated to

apply to the U.S. population as a whole. However, based on the information available the following conclusions are drawn:

1. The largest percentage of C/D fires started in the living room

(see section 3)

.

2. When C/Ds were involved in a fire, 64% of the time they were the

first furnishings to be ignited (see section 4)

.

3. The match was the most common source of ignition (see section 4,

and table 11)

.

4. In cases where C/Ds were involved in the fire sequence, they

appeared to play an important part in spreading the fire, often

to produce a serious incident. When C/Ds were involved in the

19
spread, the likelihood of a fire death occuring increased 50%

above the average death rate for a C/D related fire.

5. In the FFACTS file the "Garments Category" had 16 times as many

deaths as listed for C/Ds (see table 13).

6. The f irst-to-ignite C/D cases had the highest property loss per

case although the number of cases was small (table 15)

.

Other surveys strengthen the conclusions above - especially number

4. One survey accounting for 355,916 fire accident cases lists C/Ds

as the highest contributor to "Most Fire Spread," "Severest Hazard in

the Home," and "Greatest Property Loss." On the other side of the picture

a Bureau of Census survey listing approximately 2,500 fire cases placed

C/Ds low on the frequency of occurrence list.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS

To analyze the consequences of burning C/Ds further, it is recommended

that full-scale experiments be performed for the purpose of simulation and

verification of patterns of involvement. To learn more of the hazards to

which a person might be exposed, the experiments should include measuring

the rate of burning, air temperatures radiant energy, and measurement of

smoke and toxic gas concentrations. The C/Ds to be burned should be

chosen to represent types of fiber, fabric weight and lining materials.

Limiting test conditions should be chosen to control the extent of

the investigation. The most frequent fires started in the living room

and the match was the most common source of ignition. It is therefore

recommended that the investigation concentrate upon the ignition by smoke

sources of pinch pleated draperies, which are by far the most common style

found in living rooms.

11. REFERENCES

[1] Materials First Ignited in Residential Fires, Fire Journal, Vol. 68,

No. 3 (May 1974).

[2] Fires and Fire Losses Classified, 1972, Fire Journal, National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) (September 1973).

[3] Moulton, Robert S., The Cocoanut Grove Night Club Fire, National

Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

.

[4] Sao Paulo 1974 Fire, Jornal da Tarde of Sao Paulo, Brazil (March

2, 1974).

[5] Fire Kills 32 in Greek Night Club, Fire International 40 (June 1973).

[6] The Study Club Fire - Detroit 1929, NFPA Quarterly (October 1929).

20
[7] Non-Flameproofed Curtains, NFPA Quarterly (July 1957).

[8] Restaurant Fire - NYC, NFPA Quarterly (April 1936).

[9] Non-Flamep roofed Curtains, NFPA Quarterly (July 1957).

[10] Residential Fire Survey - A Report to The National Curtain, Drapery,

and Allied Products Association, January 1974) (Copyrighted 1974).

21
APPENDIX A. ABSTRACTS OF 32 " FIRE SPREAD" FFACTS CASES

- SUMMARY OF FIRE SPREAD MECHANISM -

Case No. 1093

At 8:50 A.M. fire occurred in the kitchen of a one-year-old story-and-ahalf residence. A sofa in the kitchen was apparently ignited by an elec-.

trical short in a wall outlet. Kitchen draperies were ignited by the

flaming sofa and fire then spread along the ceiling to the other areas

of the kitchen. Although the fire was essentially contained in the

kitchen there was much smoke and heat damage to the rest of the house.

The family was alerted by one of three children crying out . There were

no injuries. Property and contents damage was $8,000.

Case No. 1116

Draperies and glass curtains in a family room were ignited by an electrical short from a floor level socket. Next-to-ignite was the varnished

wood paneling and/or furnishings in the room. The paneling fire was so intense the walls of plaster board were destroyed. Fire spread to other

rooms of the house causing a total damage of $30,000.

Case No. 1528

A flaming sofa, presumably ignited by a cigarette, ignited draperies from

where the fire spread to the ceiling and the interior of the $12,000

house. There was heavy smoke stain throughout the entire house and the

loss was estimated at $6,000. No victims.

Case No. 1533

Seven-year-old boy set fire to curtain in playroom with matches. Fire

spread to wood paneling and gutted the entire central living area of the

house. No victim; but $20,000 damage to house and contents.

Case No. 1591

Four-year-old child set fire to couch throw covers in living room of

home. The draperies were the second- to-ignite followed by the couch itself, a chair, and rug. The front living area of the first floor of the

2-1/2 story house was consumed and the estimated loss was $8,500. No

victims.

22
Case No. 1669

A living room couch, probably ignited by a cigarette, ignited a rug,

curtains and wallpaper in that order. Heat and smoke spread to second

floor of house killing two boys. In addition the father and two sisters

were injured also.

Case No. 1789

A electrical arc is believed to have ignited the living room drapes of

a 3-year-old mobile home. They ignited a sofa, the trailer wall and the

$6,000 unit was completely demolished. The wife lost 15 work days due to

this accident.

Case No. 1824

Curtains lining a sun porch were ignited by a defective extension cord.

Fire spread across the porch to the interior of the two-story house which

was completely damaged due to the smoke and intense heat. No victims;

but $25,000 property and contents loss.

Case No. 1860

Fire occurred in a second-story apartment in San Antonio, Texas. Plastic

curtains at a kitchen window were ignited by a gas range and fire spread

to entire kitchen area. This rapidly generating fire produced smoke which

killed a mother and two children aged 4 and 7. The mother's body was

found in a room adjoining the kitchen and the two children were in the

bedroom.

Case No. 2373

Fire originating in the second floor living room of a three-story row house resulted in the death of a mother and 2 children, they were trapped

and died in a third-story bedroom. The ignition source was either a TV

set or faulty extension cord. The fire was spread by draperies and stair

carpeting up to the third floor.

Case No. 2413

A boarding home fire in Wisconsin claimed the lives of 10 residents

ranging in age from 60 to 88. Fire started in an upholstered chair in

the living/dining room of this 15-room 2-story structure. It spread to

polyethylene film type window draperies and from there, or from the

flaming chair, to the combustible fiber tile ceiling. Fire then spread

to the first floor hallway which also had the same type ceiling tile and

23
wood wainscoting as the dining room. After much smoke was generated a flashover occurred in the dining room area. This intense heat penetrated

throughout the house except where bedroom doors were closed.

Case No. 2597

This fire occurred in a single-story wood frame duplex and the financial

loss was about $6,000 - no victims. Two children apparently started a fire under the lower bunk in their bedroom. Fiberglass curtains behind

the bed burst into flame igniting the top bunk, walls, and ceiling of

the room. The fire subsequently spread through both sides of the duplex.

Case No. 2993

A fire occurred in a single-family dwelling in Miami - confined to a bedroom. Apparently it was started by a youngster's smoking and it

involved a bed, curtains, chest of drawers, and clothing on the floor.

The fire investigator stated that the floor length draperies undoubtedly

contributed to the spread of the blaze. The damage totaled $2,000; no victims. .J

Case No. 3027

This fire which resulted in the death of its 66-year-old victim and

$6,500 in property damage started in an upholstered chair by smoking

materials. It ignited a rayon/cotton drapery and spread around the corner

of the living room to a couch the victim was sleeping on.

Case No. 3064

The game room of an apartment building was the scene of a fire accident

which had no victims but resulted in losses of $25,000. A discarded

cigar butt ignited an upholstered chair stuffed with urethane chunks.

Draperies next to the chair then burst into flame which then traveled

throughout the room. Photographs indicated the carpeting was burned and

the wood paneling charred on the surface.

Case No. 3125

Ignition of cafe-type curtains in a second-story bedroom was likely

caused by an electrical short in a radio or extension cord. It was sur- mised the flaming curtains then fell down, ignited the plastic seat of

the valet on which the radio had been placed, the carpeting, and then the

mattress and box springs. The fire eventually gutted the entire upstairs

consisting of 4 bedrooms and one bath.

24
Case No. 3168

A cigarette ignited a couch in the family room of a $25,000 home in

Miami. Because of large windows the room was essentially lined with

curtains which ignited from the couch. Everything in the room was destroyed. The acoustical ceiling which was labeled as fire proof did

not burn but the wooden backing did. The loss was estimated at $7,000

total.

Case No. 3244

A residential fire ignited by a religious candle killed the husband,

hospitalized the wife for 52 days, and caused property and contents

damage amounting to $21,000. The candle had been placed on top of a TV

set located near curtains in a living room. Although the ignition

sequence is not known for all the furnishing near the TV set, evidence

indicates the draperies ignited first.

Case No. 3267

An incense burner apparently ignited an adjacent straw basket containing

unburned incense sticks in a bedroom. Rayon/acetate draperies then

ignited and fire spread to the telephone stand on which the incense was placed - to a chair, and to bedding. Total loss was $5,000.

Case No. 3276

A television set apparently ignited fiberglass draperies which in turn

ignited wood wall paneling and other materials in the room. A woman was seriously burned when she attempted to pass through the burn area.

Case No. 3329

A defective extension cord ignited fiberglass curtains and a rayon/

acetate/metallic yarn fabric used as a dressing table skirt-order of

first ignition unknown. The curtains appeared to give off "pops" and

"sparks" which spread the fire more rapidly (possibly a metallic thread

was woven with the fiberglass yarn) . Fire spread to the small throw

rug, bedding, and rayon/acetate curtain at the other end of the room. Total damage estimated at $500.

25
Case No. 3424

This fire occurred in the rear bedroom of a two story brick dwelling.

Ignition likely resulted from a cigarette being dropped on a shag rug.

Fire spread to the bedding and curtains and although the bedroom door

had been finally closed property damage extended throughout the house.

No injuries. $10,000 in property and contents damage.

Case No. 3466

Shorts in Xmas tree lights ignited and artifical tree reported to be

polyvinyl-chloride. The second- to-ignite was draperies hanging at a nearby window. The house was eventually completely destroyed and its

value and contents was estimated at $10,000.

Case No. 3471

An overfilled fondue pot containing peanut oil ignited in a dining room. The husband when attempting to dispose of it in the kitchen accidently

ignited the kitchen curtains. The fire from these polyester curtains

then ignited the kitchen cabinets and ceiling panels. Melting and

buckling ceiling panels fell and burned the husbands shirt, pants and

his wifes' hairpiece. He was treated at the hospital for first, second

and third degree burns. Total damage to the house was $6,600.

Case No. 3524

Two young children, ages 4 and 5, with matches ignited the cover of a mattress which had been torn loose and was hanging down below the bed.

Other bedding ignited and the fire spread to adjacent window curtains as well as some draperies being used as a closet door. Another bedroom and

a bathroom were eventually involved for a total of $1,200 loss.

Case No. 3545

A four-year-old boy most likely ignited this fire with matches in a downstairs bedroom. First-to- ignite was either the bedding or a curtain

adjacent to the bed. Very little information is known about the fire

spread sequence. In any case the inside of the house was destroyed at a loss of approximately $8,000.

Case No. 3561 ^ ^

It is assumed a seven-year-old boy set fire to draperies in the living

room of a small one-story house. Fire or hot gases spread to the

bedroom where he and a two-year-old child died of carbon monoxide

26
poisoning. Neither child nor the mother received severe burns. The

mother died later in the hospital with a cardiac arrest.

Case No. 3665

$900 property and contents damages occurred to a bedroom when a six-yearold boy set fire to the cotton curtains. The respondents reported that

the curtains burned very rapidly and the fire spread over the entire wall

in a matter of seconds.

Case No. 3668

A seven-year- old grandson ignited casement curtains in a living room. Although the 52-year-old female received burns on the fingertips and

neck she required no medical treatment. Fire spread to the overhanging

draperies and also to the rug, tablecloth and furniture. Total damage

was $5,000.

Case No. 3673

The ignition of curtains in a sitting room was initiated by their being

pushed back against an electric baseboard heater by a piece of furniture.

Flame spread up the wall, across the ceiling and into the adjacent

living room. The 72-year-old housewife coming down from the second

floor collapsed in the living room and later died in the hospital.

Damage to the home was a total of $8,000.

Case No. 3768

Flames burst from the back of a TV set and ignited curtains in a bedroom.

Fire propagated to the rug, bedding, and furniture. During the act of

attempting to extinguish the flames a 39-year-old female walked into the

bedroom and fainted. She was hospitalized for 55 days.

Case No. 3793

An overheated electric fan simultaneously (assumed) ignited bedding and

a curtain on a porch being used as a bedroom. Fire rapidly spread

through the wood frame house destroying it and its contents. Damage

estimated at $8,000.

27
APPENDIX B

ABSTRACTS OF 12 "FIRE SPREAD" NEISS CASES

- SUMMARY OF FIRE SPREAD MECHANISM -

Case No. A22587

Two children, male aged 3 and female 2 years old, were left alone in a house while their mother worked. One of them ignited with a match clothing

draped on a hobby horse. The fire spread to the walls of the bedroom and

via drapes ("highly flammable" according to the fire chief) to the bunk

bed. The children were driven to another bedroom by the smoke and hot

gases where they were overcome. They both died about an hour later in a hospital. The property and contents damage totaled about $900.

Case No. A07276

Defective Xmas tree lights set the tree on fire in the living room of a house at 6:56 P.M. The fire spread to the draperies and carpet. Minor

injuries to face and hands of victim occurred when she attempted to remove

articles of furniture from the room.

Newspaper Clipping: At about 6:00 P.M. a Halloween candle ignited cur-

' tains in the living room. The fire quickly spread to the rest of the room

and up a stairway to the second floor. The fire was very intense (a

f lashover probably occurred) . Two children (female) aged 2 and 1 were

killed on the second floor and the parents died in the living room. 4

killed and home gutted.

Case No. A27832

At approximately 10:00 P.M. cigarette ashes were dropped on a sofa in a den. Although it was thought they had been extinguished, fire broke out

about 11:30 and the resulting smoke overcame the sleeping family of five.

All eventually escaped from the house with minor injuries except the threeyear-old son who was apparently burned by the hot metal bed frame and

overcome with smoke. He was hospitalized for 11 days. The investigation

indicated the cigarette had Ignited the couch which in turn set fire to

the draperies. The ceiling was also heavily damaged even back into the

hallway

.

Case No. A22585

It was theorized that two fires started simultaneously. A 56-year-old

female ignited her clothing while smoking in the living room at 11:00 P.M.

and the wind (very strong) knocked a lamp over. The broken bulb ignited

cotton draperies at a picture window. The draperies apparently ignited the

knotty pine wall paneling. The victims husband said the wind was so strong

the flames were blown like a torch. The wife was DOA.

28
Case No. A39975

Although the source of ignition was not definitely known it was believed

to be either children playing with matches or an electrical short.

Clothes ignited in a bedroom closet and the fire spread to curtains on a nearby window and to bedding. Fire damage was confined to the bedroom

but smoke damage was extensive throughout the rest of the house. No

victims, but 52,500 damage.

Case No. A14476

Hot grease in a skillet being heated by a gas range ignited after being

left unattended. The flaming grease ignited the fiberglass (composition

not confirmed) curtains which in turn set fire to the ceiling and shelving

simultaneously. No victim but SSOO damage. (Fire contained in kitchen).

Case No. A17031

A 66-year-old widow apparently dropped a cigarette in a chair '- then

eventually went to sleep on a couch (living room) . The chair ignited

and set draperies on fire. The fire spread by way of the wall covering

or carpeting to the couch on w^hich victim was sleeping. The victim died

by smoke inhalation. Property and contents loss was $6,500.

Case No. A17534

A light bulb ignited a Xmas tree in the living room of a home. The

drapes which were touching the tree were first- to-ignite and they spread

the blaze to a couch, piano and ceiling. Financial loss totaled $18,000

with second degree bums which hospitalized the mother for 6 days.

Case No. A17517

A six-year-old girl ignited curtains in a bedroom about 9:26 one morning.

Flame spread to the w^all covering (10% Dacron and 90% Cotton) and then

to the bedding. Contents of the entire bedroom were destroyed. No victim.

Case No. A39997

Although there is no proof, a seven-year-old boy probably ignited draperies in a living room with a match. Fire spread to the ceiling and to the

bedroom killing the boy and a two-year-old child.

29
Case No. A44056

It was hypothesized that sunlight shining through a window Ignited a bag

of matches left on a window sill. They Ignited the window curtain which

In turn set fire to bedding and clothing. Eventually the entire contents

of the bedroom was consumed. No Injury and $300 of damage.

USCOMM-NBS-DC

30
NBS-114A (REV. 7-73)

U.5. Dc.Pl. Or L'OMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO.

NBSIR 75-902

2. Gov't Accession

No.

3. Recipient's Accession No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

A Survey of Fire Accidents Involving Curtains and

Draperies - Deaths, Injuries and Financial Loss -

5. Publication Date December 1975

0. rertorming Organization Code

491.03

7. AUTHOR(S)

L. Dow Moore and Allan K. Vickers

8. Performing Organ. Report No. IR-75-902

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. 4913571

11. Contract/Grant No.

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

same as No. 9

13. Type of Report & Period

Covered

Final Report

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

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

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.)

A case history survey of 286 fire accidents was conducted. This survey was

composed of three groups of case histories in which curtains or draperies (C/Ds)

were involved. The cases were analyzed in detail, attempting to ascertain the

extent to which these products represented fire hazards.

As none of the three files were chosen on a statistical basis, projection of

the data to the overall fire hazard situation is not technically feasible.

To learn more of the physical nature of burning C/Ds, and to supply information

that may be utilized to judge the extent of hazard, it is recommended that fullscale experiments be conducted.

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)

Curtains; draperies; FFACTS system; fire; flammable fabrics;

NFPA.

18. AVAILABILITY Sot Unlimited

1 For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

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1 X ! Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151

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USCOMM-DC 29042-P74
INSTRUCTIONS

FORM NBS-114A: BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET (REVERSE SIDE). This Bibliographic Data Sheet is an NBS

adaptation of the form prescribed by COSATI guidelines (Appendix F. NBS Manual for Scientific and Technical

Communications). Please complete with extreme care. This sheet will provide the basis for the literature citation of the publication, and in most cases it will become an integral part of the final publication itself.

A. Complete item 1 if information is available; otherwise, OTP will complete later. If non-NBS publication, state:"see item 15". (Additional instructions under K below.)

B. Ignore items 2, 3, 6, and 14; these are reserved for possible future use.

C. Complete items 4 and 7. When NBS-114A is resubmitted these items must be as they will actually appear on the published paper.

D. Leave items 5, 21, and 22 blank; OTP will cofnplete. -

E. Items 9, 19, and 20 are preprinted; you need add nothing.

F. Complete items 10, 11, and/or 12 when applicable. If no sponsor is involved, in item 12 state: same as item 9.

G. For item 13, enter "Final" or "Interim" and calendar period covered, as appropriate.

H. For item 15, enter other relevant information. (For example, upon receipt of completed Form NBS-266 from author,

OTP will enter the complete citation for NBS-authorized papers published in non-NBS media.)

I. Complete items 16 and 17. Guidance is given in Section 4 and Appendix B of the NBS Manual for Scientific and

Technical Communications. The abstract must agree with the one of the published paper.

J. For item 18, indicate one of the following: "UnUmited" - for open-literature documents cleared under NBS editorial procedures, or "For official distribution. Do not release to NTIS" - for limited, restricted, or need-to-know material. (See

5.1.4.2.1 of Brady memo dated January 16, 1973 "Reports to Sponsors.")

K. In completing item 1, use the brief designators shown in the right-hand column below. Each designator will be followed

by the specific publication number for that item. This number will be the same in both the longer and briefer designators

for the same document. For example: NBS Technical Note 548 will be equivalent to NBS TN-548. You would enter NBS

TN-548 in item 1 of Form NBS-114A.

NBS Identification NBS Technical Note NBS TNNBS Monograph " ' : NBS MNNBS Handbook NBS HBNBS Special Publication NBS SP- NBS Applied Mathematics Series NBS AMSNBS National Standard Reference Data Series NBS NSRDSNBS Building Science Series NBS BSSNBS Federal Information Processing Standards Publication NBS FIPS- NBS Voluntary Product Standards NBS PS- NBS Consumer Information Series NBS CIS- NBS Journal of Research Section A NBS JRANBS Journal of Research Section B NBS JRBNBS Dimensions NBS DNBS Interagency or Internal Report * " ' NBS IRSince each paper in the two volume NBS Journal of Research is assigned a specific designator, OTP will add appropriate

Journal designator for item 1.

*lf the outside sponsor assigned his own number, enter his number in item 1, and the NBSIR number in item 8.

FORM NBS.n4A (REV. 7-73) USCOMM-DC 29042-P74