A-A-59489B 

 May 25, 2011

 SUPERSEDING 

 A-A-59489A 

 November 22, 2005 

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION 

MATCHES, SAFETY 

 The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this Commercial Item 

Description (CID) for all Federal agencies. 

1. SCOPE. 

1.1 This CID covers safety matches, in books or boxes, packed in commercially acceptable 

containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments and other interested parties, and 

as a component of operational rations. 

2. CLASSIFICATION. 

2.1 The matches shall conform to the following types and classes as specified in the solicitation, 

contract, or purchase order. 

Types and classes. 

Type I - Paper 

Class A - 30 splint book 

Class B - 20 splint book 

Class C - 10 splint book 

Type II - Wood 

 Class A - Large, “kitchen” size sticks 

 Class B - Medium size sticks 

 Class C - Small, “pocket” size sticks 

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any data 

which may improve this document should be sent to: Commander, Defense Logistics Agency 

(DLA) Troop Support, ATTN: FTSA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092. 

AMSC N/A FSC 9920 

METRIC 
A-A-59489B 

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3. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS. 

3.1 Splints/Sticks. Type I paper match splints shall be made of splint board. Type II wooden 

match sticks shall be made of a good grade, long-fibered timber. The splints and sticks shall not 

be broken, split, crushed, adhering, chipped, or cracked. 

3.2 Match head. The head material of the safety matches shall be evenly applied over the ends 

and sides of splints and sticks to facilitate ignition. 

3.3 Count. Type I, Class A paper matches shall be 30 matches per book, with 15 splints on each 

of two rows. Type I, Class B paper matches shall be 20 matches per book, with 10 splints on 

each of two rows. Type I, Class C paper matches shall be 10 matches per book, with 5 splints on 

each of two rows. The average number of Type II, Class A wooden matches shall not be less 

than 250 per box and no box shall contain less than 230 matches. The average number of Type 

II, Class B wooden matches shall not be less than 27 per box and no box shall contain less than 

21 matches. The average number of Type II, Class C wooden matches shall not be less than 32 

per box and no box shall contain less than 30 matches. 

3.4 Dimensions. The matches shall meet the requirements of Table I. 

Table I. Dimensions

Length in mm (inches) 

Classification Splint or stick with 

head 

Splint, head and 

base 

Width in mm 

(inches) 1/ 

Type I, Class A 35±3 (13⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 48±3 (17⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 48±2 (17⁄8 ± 1/16) 

Type I, Class B 35±3 (13⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 48±3 (17⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 30±2 (1 3/16 ± 1/16) 

Type I, Class C 35±3 (13⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 48±3 (17⁄8 ± 1⁄8) 16±2 (5⁄8 ± 1/16) 

Type II, Class A 60±3 (23⁄8 ± 1⁄8) - 2.5 (0.10) 

Type II, Class B 50±3 (2 ± 1⁄8) - 2.3 (0.09) 

Type II, Class C 44±3 (13⁄4 ± 1⁄8 ) - 2 (0.08) 

1/ Type I represents width of each row. Type II represents width of each match stick. 

3.5 Striking surface. The striking surface on the outside match book or box shall be coated with 

a preparation which will be used to ignite the matches when they are rapidly drawn across the 

specially prepared surface. The striking surface shall not peel or rub off. 

3.6 Performance. The matches shall be manufactured to function as small, portable, clean and 

uniform, ignition devices. Both match types shall ignite readily and burn fiercely without 

breakage of the splint/stick or head, or without cracking, exploding or afterglow. The matches 

shall only be ignited by friction when struck on the specially prepared striking surface of the 
A-A-59489B 

3 

match book or box cover. Matches shall provide a source of fire as well as to provide short term 

illumination. The matches shall light in damp conditions. 

3.7 Performance test. One hundred matches shall be tested. Each match shall be struck on the 

striking surface until it ignites or becomes damaged. Five or more failures shall result in 

rejection of the lot. 

3.8 Humidity resistance test. One hundred matches shall be placed in a saturated humidity 

chamber maintained at approximately 39o

C (105oF). Matches shall be conditioned in the 

chamber for 6 hours. Immediately upon removal from the chamber, each match shall be struck 

on the striking surface until it ignites or becomes damaged. Thirty or more failures shall result in 

rejection of the lot. 

4. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. 

4.1 U. S. Department of Transportation. The offeror/contractor shall comply with all 

regulations and requirements of the U. S. Department of Transportation, and all other applicable 

Federal, State, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations regarding safety matches. 

4.2 Recovered materials. The offeror/contractor is encouraged to use recovered materials in 

accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 23.403 to the maximum 

extent practical. 

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. 

5.1 Product conformance. The safety matches shall meet the physical characteristics of this 

CID, conform to the producer's own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, 

and be the same safety matches offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser 

reserves the right to require proof of such conformance. 

5.2 Metric products. Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an 

equal basis with those manufactured using inch-pound units. Dimensions and tolerances 

specified shall be converted using conversion tables contained in IEEE/ASTM SI Standard for 

Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System. 

6. PACKAGING. 

6.1 Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking. Preservation, packaging, 

packing, labeling, and case marking shall be as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order. 

7. NOTES. 
A-A-59489B 

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7.1 Purchasers shall specify: 

 - Types and classes required. 

7.2 Sources of documents. 

7.2.1 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows. 

Requirements for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials are found in 49 CFR Parts 171 to 

180. This document may be purchased from: Superintendent of Documents, New Orders, P.O. 

Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/NOVUS, 

and American Express) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on 

(866) 512-1800, (202) 512-1800 or on the Internet at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara. 

Commercial Item Descriptions are available from: General Services Administration, Federal 

Supply Service, Specification Section, Suite 8100, 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, 

DC 20407; telephone (202) 619-8925, 26 or 27; Fax (202) 619-8978 or 85. 

Military activities should submit requests for copies of this CID to: Standardization Documents 

Order Desk, DLA Document Services, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA 

19111-5094 or on the Internet at: https://assist.daps.dla.mil or 

https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/. 

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES: 

Custodians GSA - FAS 

 VA - OSS 

Army - GL 

Navy - SA PREPARING ACTIVITY: 

Air Force - 35 

 DLA - SS 

Review Activities (Project No. 9920-2011-001) 

Army - MD, QM 

Navy - MC 

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency 

of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.daps.dla.mil.