The ASTM E1353 Cigarette Ignition Resistance of Components of Upholstered Furniture is a standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) that assesses the combustion resistance of upholstered furniture components when exposed to smoldering cigarettes. Furniture components that this test method applies to are cover fabrics, welt cords, decking materials, barrier materials, filling materials, and padding materials. Sections 10 and 11 of the test method evaluates the outer cover fabrics and the results obtained from this section of testing is used when assessing the suitability of upholstery fabrics for commercial applications.
The scope of testing involves placing fabric test specimens over horizontal and vertical panels to simulate seat cushions, which is referred to as a mock-up. The fabric test specimens are exposed to a lighted cigarette for a predetermined amount of time. Test operators record any ignition or vertical char that occurs, and the test specimens are classified according to two categories:
Class I: Fabrics that do not develop obvious ignition and exhibit a vertical char of less than 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Class II: Fabrics developing obvious ignition or vertical char of 1.8 inches or more