1

NISTIR 8075

Results of Barrier Fabrics Tested in 

an Inverted Configuration

Rick D. Davis

Shonali Nazare

Szabolcs Matko

William Pitts

Mauro Zammarano

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8075
2

NISTIR 8075 

Results of Barrier Fabrics Tested in 

an Inverted Configuration

Rick D. Davis

Shonali Nazare

Szabolcs Matko

William Pitts

Mauro Zammarano

Flammability Reduction Group

Fire Research Division

Engineering Laboratory

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8075

August 2015

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Penny Pritzker, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Willie May, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director 
3

The document will be used to facilitate discussions between Fire Research Division 

(FRD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and a working group 

organized by California Bureau of Electronics and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, 

and Thermal Insulation (CBEARHFTI) to discuss CBEARHFTI’s proposed open flame 

test for barrier materials (Phase 2). This manuscript contains the test data and 

observations conducted at NIST using the CBEARHFTI’s proposed inverted 

configuration.

Experimental

FRD tested 30 barriers materials and two cover fabrics using CBEARHFTI’s Phase 2 

proposed open flame testing device and methodology for evaluating fire blocking barrier 

fabrics (BF). The Phase 2 set-up and procedures were provided by CBEARHFTI 

(Appendix A). A physical description of the BFs and the Phase 2 testing results 

(pass/fail) are provided in Table 1. The pass/fail test criterion is based on the ignitability 

of foam that is contiguous to the BF specimen (Appendix A. Part 9. Pass/Fail Criteria).

Discussion

Test Observations

A pre-mixed butane flame is applied from underneath the BF specimen that is 

horizontally held in place by two maranite plates. The tip of the flame impinges the BF at 

the center. Depending on the fiber type of the BF, ignition of the BF may occur. Then, 

the BF may melt or form a char residue that spreads radially away from the tip of the 

applied flame. For melting BFs, the flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) will also ignite 

(which resulted in a fail). For charring BFs, as the BF continues to be heated by the 

flaming ignition source, the FPUF forms a dome shape directly over the tip of the applied 

flame. The shape and volume of the FPUF dome varies strongly with the type of BF. For 

thermally thick BFs, the dome shape appears uniform. For thermally thin BFs, the dome 

structure rapidly collapses forming a pool of liquid FPUF on the BF.

During the test, volatile pyrolysis products can be observed escaping into the exhaust. 

For the BFs that passed, the BF structure remained intact and there was no direct flame 

impingement with these pyrolysis products. For the BFs that failed, the BF ruptured 

allowing the applied flame to ignite the pyrolysis products. Limited numbers of tests on 

passing BFs showed that the presence of a pilot ignition source (spark ignition) just 

above the FPUF specimen and in the pathway of the escaping pyrolysis products will 

result in ignition. 

Test Results

Most of the BFs (25 of 32) passed the test proposed in Phase 2 (highlighted in green in 

Table 1). All the BFs (7 of 32) that failed the proposed test, failed largely due to 

structural failure of thermally degraded BFs. CF22 is a cotton BF that passed Phase 2, 

but failed other open flame composite tests.1

 1 Nazaré, S., et al. (2013). "Evaluating fire blocking performance of barrier fabrics." Fire 

and Materials 36(7): 695-716.
4

Table 1. Summary of BF attributes and testing performance. The 1σ uncertainty is ±10% of the reported values.

# Sample 

code

Fiber Blend Structure Fire 

Resistance

Thickness

(mm)

Area 

Density

(g/m2)

Air 

Permeability 

(ft3/min, 

m3/min)

Phase 2

1 BF-1 FR rayon/polyester Highloft Passive 4.1 155 550, 15.6 Fail (3/3)

2 BF-2 FR rayon/polyester Highloft Passive 6.7 230 339, 9.6 Pass (3/3)

3 BF-3 FR rayon/polyester Highloft Passive 7.8 240 450, 12.7 Pass (3/3)

4 BF-4 Boric acid treated 

cotton/ FR 

rayon/polyester

Stratified Highloft Passive 5.7 230 428, 12.1 Pass (3/3)

5 BF-5 Boric acid treated cotton Highloft Passive 6.9 230 248, 7.0 Pass (3/3)

6 BF-8 FR rayon/polyester Needle punched 

nonwoven

Passive 4.3 237 429, 12.1 Pass (3/3)

7 BF-9 FR rayon/polyester

(needlepunched)

Needle punched

nonwoven

Passive 2.2 240 301,8.5 Pass (3/3)

8 BF-10 FR polyester / FR rayon Stitchbond

nonwoven

Active 0.7 165 212, 6.0 Fail (3/3)

9 BF-11 Glass fiber core / FR 

acrylic fiber (core spun 

yarn)

Knitted Active 0.9 186 445,12.6 Fail (2/3)

10 BF-12 Glass fiber core / FR 

acrylic fiber (core spun 

yarn)

Knitted Active 1.6 237 564,15.9 Not Tested

11 BF-13 FR rayon / glass fiber / 

PLA fiber (core spun 

yarn)

Knitted Active 1.4 165 380, 10.8 Pass (4/4)

12 BF-15 Glass fiber core / FR 

acrylic fiber 

Woven Active 0.5 170 406, 11.5 Fail (1/4)

13 BF-16 FR rayon / glass 

fiber/PLA

Nonwoven Active 2.9 290 381, 10.8 Pass (3/3)

14 BF-17 Glass fiber Woven Passive 0.2 150 0 Pass (3/3)

15 BF-18 Glass fiber Woven Passive 0.1 170 0 Pass (3/3)
5

16 BF-19 Glass fiber Woven Passive 0.3 320 0 Pass (3/3)

17 BF-20 Para-aramid / melamine Woven Passive 0.77 264 41, 1.2 Pass (3/3)

18 BF-21 Para-aramid Nonwoven Passive 0.67 69 414, 11.7 Pass (3/3)

19 BF-22 Meta aramid / para 

aramid

Woven/nonwoven 

composite 

Passive 1.61 267 187, 5.3 Pass (3/3)

20 BF-23 Cotton / glass fiber Knitted /

backcoated

Active / 

Passive

1.5 284 0 Pass (3/3)

21 BF-24 Polyester batting Nonwoven Passive Not Tested Fail (3/3)

22 CF II Cotton Woven Passive 450 Not Tested Pass (3/3)

23 CF I Cotton (mattress ticking) Woven 250 Not Tested Fail (3/3)

24 BF-13/CP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

25 BF-13/RP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

26 BF-13/P Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

27 BF-15/CP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

28 BF-15/RP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

29 BF-15/P Laminate Not Tested Fail (3/3)

30 BF-16/CP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

31 BF-16/RP Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)

32 BF-16/P Laminate Not Tested Pass (3/3)
Appendix A. CBEARHFTI Phase 2 

 

State of California

Department of Consumer Affairs

 

BUREAU OF ELECTRONIC & APPLIANCE REPAIR

HOME FURNISHINGS & THERMAL INSULATION

4244 SOUTH MARKET COURT, SUITE D

SACRAMENTO, CA 95834-1243

Proposed

Open	Flame	Test	for	Barrier	Materials	

Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the 

Open Flame Resistance of Barrier Materials

August	2014
Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing 

the 

Open Flame Resistance of Barrier Materials

PURPOSE

The intent of this standard is to produce upholstered furniture which is safer from the 

hazards associated with small open-flame ignition.

Barrier Materials Component Test - Open-Fame Resistance

1. Scope - This standard applies to any material in the form of battings, pads, fabrics, etc. 

that is used as a barrier in upholstered seating furniture. The test method can also be used 

for upholstery cover fabrics that are fire resistant and serve as fire barriers as well. In 

addition, materials covered by this standard must also meet the applicable smoldering 

requirements of Technical Bulletin 117-2013.

2. Summary of Test Method - The test method consists of the application of an openflame ignition source, to the bottom side of a horizontally mounted specimen of the 

barrier material while a layer of standard non-fire retardant polyurethane foam is placed 

on the top side of the barrier material. The test specimen is situated over an opening and 

is sandwiched between two rigid fire-rated insulating boards supported by a metal rack. 

Observations of the burning behavior and patterns are used to assess the performance of 

the specimen under these test conditions.

3. Significance and Use - This test method is designed to assess the response of a barrier 

material test specimen to an open-flame ignition source. The test provides an indication 

of the resistance of the barrier material to prevent an external flame reaching the 

underlayment of standard polyurethane foam and igniting it.

4. Test Apparatus and Materials - The test apparatus, including the horizontal test frame 

rack, is described in Annex A, Figures A1- A4. 

The ignition source is a Meker-Fisher Gas Burner. The Meker-Fisher gas burner, the gas 

train and accessories are described in Annex B. 

The Standard Polyurethane Foam (SPUF) – The standard polyurethane foam is described 

in Annex B of Technical Bulletin 117-2013, June 2013.

5. Test Facility and Hazards - The test facility, exhaust system and hazards are described 

in Annex C. 

6. Conditioning - Condition test specimens and the standard PU foam prior to the test for 

a minimum of 24 hours at 21° ± 3 °C (70° ± 5 °F) and less than 55% RH. If the sample is 

taken from a finished article of furniture, conditioning does not begin until the component 

is removed from the furniture.
If conditions in the test area are not the same as in the conditioning area, tests should 

begin within 10 minutes of removal from conditioning area. 

7. Test Specimen - Representative specimens of fibrous barrier materials shall be 

sampled for testing from various points in the batting, pad, or flat fibrous filling 

materials. Three specimens should be prepared from different areas of the material. The 

specimen shall consist of a swatch of fiber batting, pad, fabric or any other type of barrier 

material. Cut each specimen to 250 x 250 mm (10 x 10 in) in the thickness of use up to a 

maximum of 38 mm (11⁄2 in).

8. Procedure:

8.1. Place the horizontal test rack in a test hood (See Annex C) that provides 

adequate ventilation to exhaust smoke and gases. 

8.2. Before mounting the test specimen on the test rack prepare the gas burner 

ignition source. Set the gas flow to the Meker-Fisher burner as designated in 

Annex B. Ignite the Meker-Fisher burner and allow the flame to stabilize. 

Turn off the gas flow to the Meker-Fisher burner using the toggle on/off 

switch. Do not make any further adjustments to the gas flow. For the 

remainder of the test use only the on/off toggle switch. Place the bottom 

mounting plate on the rectangular metal retaining ring of the test rack. Make 

sure the plate is firmly positioned.

8.3. Place the barrier material test specimen on the top of the bottom horizontal 

mounting plate. Center the specimen flat so that the face side of the barrier 

material which is exposed to the heat source is towards the burner. Ensure 

barrier material is tight with no sagging or wrinkling. 

8.4. Face side of the barrier test specimen is the surface of the material that is in 

contact with the cover fabric inside the furniture. The bottom side of the 

barrier is placed in contact with the interior fillings of the furniture. Many 

barrier materials are reversible and have no identifiable facing.

8.5. Place the top horizontal mounting plate over the barrier material, sandwiching 

the barrier material between the two mounting plates. Make sure the plate is 

firmly positioned.

8.6. Insert a piece of 5” X 5” X 1⁄2” standard polyurethane foam (SPUF) directly 

over the barrier material fitting snugly in the upper mounting plate rectangular 

opening, so that the foam contacts the barrier material at all points.

8.7. Place the Meker-Fisher burner in the center of the bottom plate of the test rack 

such that the top of the burner is positioned 4 inches (100 mm) below the 

center of the bottom surface of the test specimen. (Figure A-2).

8.8. Start the timing device one minute before applying the ignition flame to the 

test specimen. At one minute turn on the toggle switch and simultaneously 

ignite the Meker-Fisher burner using a butane lighter which subjects the test 

specimen to the flame from underneath. Turn off the toggle switch after one 

minute of flame impingement.

8.9. Continue test until all traces of flaming and smoldering have ceased. Make 

and record observations regarding penetration of the flame through the fiber 
specimen and/or decomposition and burning of the standard polyurethane 

foam.

8.10. When all combustion is ceased carefully remove the mounting plates and the 

remaining test materials off the metal test rig.

8.11. Thoroughly clean the mounting plates and allow them to reach room 

temperature before conducting the next test.

9. Pass/Fail Criteria

A single test specimen fails to meet the requirements of this test procedure if the standard 

polyurethane foam (SPUF) ignites:

• A barrier material passes the test if three initial specimens pass the test. 

• If more than one initial specimen fails, the barrier material fails the test. 

• If any one of the three initial specimens fails, repeat the test on additional three 

specimens. If all three additional specimens pass the test, the barrier material passes 

the test. If any one of the additional three specimens fails, the barrier sample fails 

the test.

10. Test Report

The test report shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

• Name and address of the test laboratory.

• Date of the test(s).

• Operator conducting the test.

• Complete description of the test materials.

• Complete description of any procedures different from those described in this test 

method.

• Observations shall be made, and included in the report, of the behavior of the 

specimen in response to the application of the burner, specifically noting the 

following:

• The time of flaming ignition of the foam when applicable.

• Extended smoldering (non-flaming) combustion.

• The condition of the standard polyurethane foam (SPUF) used in the test (e.g. 

50% recovered, completely consumed, ...)

• The post-test condition of the test material.

• The total test time, i.e., time from start of ignition to the end of all 

combustion.

• Statement of overall Pass/Fail results.

• Post-test photographs of the test specimens.
ANNEX A

Horizontal Test Apparatus

A test rack constructed, as in Figures A-1 to A-4, shall be used to support the sample 

for testing. The rack shall be constructed with a 356 mm x 356 mm (14 in x 14 in) 

stainless steel metal (2.4 mm (3/32 in) thick) bottom plate. At each corner of the plate, a 

356 mm (14 in) long, 12 mm (1/2 in) O.D. Threaded rod shall be mounted vertically to 

allow adjustment of a horizontal test support to various heights using threaded nuts. 

The test support shall consist of a fixed rectangular metal retaining ring with inside 

openings of 254 x 254 mm (10 x 10 in). The metal rectangular retaining ring shall have 

holes to act as guides for positioning threaded rods through them. 

Two 300 mm X 300 mm (12 in X 12 in) mounting plates, as shown in Figures A1 

through A3, are made of 25 mm (1 inch) thick inorganic 740-kg/m3 (46 lb/ft3) nominal 

density calcium silicate boards. A 12.7 mm X 12.7 mm (5 in X 5 in) opening is cut at the 

center of each plate. Four 12 1⁄2 mm (1⁄2 inch) holes are made at the four corners of each 

mounting plate for mounting on through the threaded metal rods. The mounting plates 

are painted with fire resistant (high temperature) flat black paint.

Note: Other heat resistant insulation materials with physical and thermal properties 

similar to the calcium silicate board can also be used for the mounting plates.
(Drawings Not to Scale)

Figure A-1. Horizontal Test Apparatus Assembly 

(Exploded View of Barrier Test Assembly)

Upper Mounting Plate

Lower Mounting

 Plate

Test Specimen

1/2" Standard PU Foam

Meker-Fisher Burner

Rectangular Metal

 Retaining Ring
Figure A-2. Horizontal Test Apparatus Assembly – Side Views

T op Mounting Plate

 (Calcium Silicate)

 Bottom Plate

(1/8" S tainless Steel)

Rectangular Metal

 Retaining R ing

Side view of the horizontal test apparatus

Bottom Mounting Plate

 (Calcium Silicate)

Meker-Fisher Burner

Top Mounting Plate 

(Calcium Silicate)

Rectangular Metal

 Retaining Ring

Mounting of the test specimen on the horizontal test apparatus

 (Cross Sectional Side View)

Bottom Mounting Plate

(Calcium Silicate)

1/2" thick Standard PU Foam

Barrier Specimen

Meker-Fisher Burner

(Drawing not to scale)

4"
Figure A-3. Horizontal Test Apparatus Assembly – Mounting Plates

12"

12"

5"

1/2" Hole

Mounting Plates (Calcium Silicate)

5"

1"

3.5" 5" 3.5"

(Drawings not to Scale)
Figure A-4. Horizontal Test Apparatus Assembly – Parts of Test Frame

12"

12"

10"

14"

1/2" Threaded Rod

1/2" Hole

Rectan gular Metal Retaining Ring

1/8" Stainless Steel

10"

14"

14"

1/2" Hole

Bottom Stainless Steel P late

11"

11"
ANNEX B

Ignition Source

Butane	Gas	Flame	Ignition	Source	for	Barrier	Materials	

• The ignition source for the barrier open flame test consists of a Meker-Fisher 

burner with a 32 mm (1.25 in.) diameter top and with orifice size of 1.2 mm (3/64 

in.) for Butane gas. 

• The flow rate of butane shall be (500 ± 10) ml/min (0.0177 ft3/min) at 23 °C (73 °F).

The Gas Train

• A gas rotameter with range to provide flow rate of equivalent to (500 ± 10) ml/min 

(0.0177 ft3/min) of air at standard conditions. 

• C.P. Grade butane, 99.0% purity with 2-stage regulator shall be provided.

• The following items are required to connect the butane cylinder to the burners: 

flexible tubing (2.5 to 3.0 m (8 to 10 ft) in length, 7.0 ± 1.0 mm (1/4 ± 0.04 in) 

I.D.), needle valve, an on-off valve and a cylinder regulator capable of providing a 

nominal outlet pressure of 2.8 kPa (28 mbar). 

NOTE: The following specific items have been found to be satisfactory for the butane gas 

train: Air Products CP grade, 99.0% purity butane, 20 lb. cylinder; Matheson 2-stage 

regulator, Model 8-2-510; Matheson 9.0 kPa pressure gauge, P/N 63-3103.

Figure B-1. Meker-Fisher Gas Burner
ANNEX C

Test	Facility,	Exhaust	System	and	Hazards

Test Facility/Exhaust System

The test area shall be a room with a volume greater than 20 m3 (in order to contain 

sufficient oxygen for testing) or a smaller area equipped with inlet and extraction systems 

permitting the necessary flow of air. All smoldering tests shall be conducted under 

appropriate test hoods and/or test cabinets equipped with variable speed exhaust fans or 

other means of controlling the exhaust flow rates, such as dampers. Airflow rates shall be 

between 0.02 m/s and 0.2 m/s (4 ft/min and 40 ft/min), measured in the locality of the test 

specimen. Position specimen to provide adequate air around the test specimen without 

disturbing the burning behavior.

Note 1: These rates of airflow have been shown to provide adequate oxygen without 

physically disturbing the burning behavior of the ignition source or the specimen.

Note 2: A fume hood with air curtains across the face and zero air velocity at the test 

locations is recommended. Zero air velocity is indicated by an undisturbed vertical smoke 

plume of 6 inches.

Hazards

• There are potential risks associated with running any fire test. It is essential that 

suitable precautions be taken, which include the provision of breathing apparatus 

and proper safety equipment.

• Products of combustion can be irritating and dangerous to test personnel. Test 

personnel must avoid exposure to smoke and gases produced during testing.

• Suitable means of fire extinguishment shall be at hand. When the termination 

point of the experiment has been reached, the fire is extinguished, if necessary, 

with carbon dioxide or water. Presence of a back-up fire extinguisher is 

recommended. It may be difficult to judge when all combustion in a test specimen 

has ceased due to potential smoldering or burning deep inside the specimen even 

after extinguishment. Care should be taken that specimens are disposed of only 

when completely inert.

.