• 1

  • (1) For the purposes of paragraphs 10(c) and 14(c) of the Regulations, a substance shall be considered excessively toxic for humans if

    • (a) the acute oral LD₅₀ value thereof for rat is 5 grams or less per kilogram body weight;

    • (b) the acute dermal LD₅₀ value for rabbit is 2 grams or less per kilogram body weight; and

    • (c) where gas, vapour, mist or dust is likely to be encountered when the substance is used in any reasonably foreseeable manner, the LC₅₀ value thereof for a one-hour exposure determined using rats, is 20,000 parts per million by volume of gas or vapor or less, or 200 milligrams per litre by volume of mist or dust or less.

  • (2) LD₅₀ values are to be determined in conformity with good toxicological practice.

  • (3) The number of deaths during a 14-day period following dosage shall be used as the basis for calculation of the LD₅₀ value.

  • (4) Sufficient animals shall be used to give a statistically significant result, which result shall be calculated using methods based upon good statistical practice.

  • (5) The methods used by C. I. Bliss (1938) and J. T. Litchfield and W. F. Wilcoxon (1949) are acceptable but other methods giving similar results may also be accepted.

• 2 The dermal LD₅₀ value shall be determined in the following manner:

  In the acute exposures the agent is held in contact with the skin by means of a sleeve for periods varying up to 24 hours. The sleeve, made of rubber dam or other impervious material, is so constructed that the ends are reinforced with additional strips and should fit snugly around the trunk of the animal. The ends of the sleeve are tucked, permitting the central portion to “balloon” and furnish a reservoir for the dose. The reservoir must have sufficient capacity to contain the dose without pressure. The dimensions of sleeves and the approximate body surface exposed to the test substance are given in the following table:

  Dimensions of Sleeves for Acute Dermal Toxicity Test

  (Test Animal Rabbits)

  Measurements in centimetres		Range of weight of animals (grams)	Average area of exposure (cm.2)	Average percentage of total body surface
  Diameter at ends	Overall length
  7.0	12.5	2,500–3,500	240	10.7

  The sleeves may vary in size to accommodate smaller or larger subjects. In the testing of unctuous materials that adhere readily to the skin, mesh wire screen may be employed instead of the sleeve. The screen is padded and raised approximately 2 centimetres from the exposed skin. In the case of dry powder preparations, the skin and substance are moistened with physiological saline prior to exposure. The sleeve or screen is then slipped over the gauze which holds the dose applied to the skin. In the case of finely divided powders the measured dose is evenly distributed on cotton gauze, which is then secured to the area of exposure.

  The animals are prepared by clipping the skin of the trunk free of hair. Approximately one half of the animals are further prepared by making epidermal abrasions every 2 centimetres or 3 centimetres longitudinally over the area of exposure. The abrasions are sufficiently deep to penetrate the stratum corneum (horny layer of the epidermis), but not to disturb the derma — that is, not to obtain bleeding.

  The sleeve is slipped onto the animal, that is then placed in a comfortable but immobilized position in a multiple animal holder. Selected doses of liquids and solutions are introduced under the sleeve. If there is slight leakage from the sleeve, which may occur during the first few hours of exposure, it is collected and reapplied. Dosage levels are adjusted in subsequent exposures (if necessary) to enable a calculation of a dose that would be fatal to 50 per cent of the animals. This can be determined from mortality ratios obtained at various doses employed. At the end of 24 hours the sleeves or screens are removed, the volume of unabsorbed material, if any, is measured, and the skin reactions are noted. The subjects are cleaned by thorough wiping, observed for gross symptoms of poisoning, and then observed for two weeks.

• 3 For the purposes of this schedule, “LD₅₀” means the dose that will kill 50 per cent of test animals under the specified conditions of test; and “LC₅₀” means the concentration of gas and vapour that will kill 50 per cent of test animals under the specified conditions of test.

• 4 The methods referred to in subsection 1(5) are described in publications as follows:

  • (a) C.I. Bliss, The determination of the dosage-mortality curve from small numbers, Quarterly Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1939, Volume 11, page 192; and

  • (b) J.T. Litchfield and W.F. Wilcoxon, A simplified method of evaluating dose-effect experiments, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 1949, Volume 96, page 99.

• 1 A substance or mixture of substances shall be considered not excessively irritant for the purposes of section 11 and paragraph 14(c) of the Regulations if it is not excessively irritant to

  • (a) the eye judged on human experience or based upon the test method described hereunder; and

  • (b) the skin judged on human experience or based upon the test method described hereunder.

Method for Testing Eye Irritant Properties

• 2

  • (1) Six albino rabbits are used for each test substance. Animal facilities for such procedures shall be so designed and maintained as to exclude sawdust, wood ships, or other extraneous materials that might produce eye irritation. Both eyes of each animal in the test group shall be examined before testing, and only those animals without eye defects or irritation shall be used. The animal is held firmly but gently until quiet. The test material is placed in one eye of each animal by gently pulling the lower lid away from the eyeball to form a cup into which the test substance is dropped. The lids are then gently held together for one second and the animal is released. The other eye, remaining untreated, serves as a control. For testing liquids, 0.1 millilitre is used. For solids or pastes, 100 milligrams of the test substance is used, except that for substances in flake, granule, powder or other particulate form the amount that has a volume of 0.1 millilitre (after compacting as much as possible without crushing or altering the individual particles, such as by tapping the measuring container) shall be used whenever this volume weighs less than 100 milligrams. In such a case, the weight of the 0.1 millilitre test dose should be recorded. The eyes are not washed following instillation of test material except as noted below.

  • (2) The eyes are examined and the grade of ocular reaction is recorded at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Reading of reactions is facilitated by use of a binocular loupe, hand slit-lamp, or other expert means. After the recording of observations at 24 hours, any or all eyes may be further examined after applying fluorescein. For this optional test, one drop of fluorescein sodium ophthalmic solution U.S.P. or equivalent is dropped directly on the cornea. After flushing out the excess fluorescein with sodium chloride solution U.S.P. or equivalent, injured areas of the cornea appear yellow; this is best visualized in a darkened room under ultraviolet illumination. Any or all eyes may be washed with sodium chloride solution U.S.P. or equivalent after the 24-hour reading.

  • (3) An animal shall be considered as exhibiting an excessive reaction if the test substance produces at any of the readings ulceration of the cornea (other than a fine stippling), or opacity of the cornea (other than a slight dulling of the normal luster), or inflammation of the iris (other than a slight deepening of the folds (or rugae) or a slight circumcorneal injection of the blood vessels), or if such substance produces in the conjunctivae (excluding the cornea and iris) an obvious swelling with partial eversion of the lids or a diffuse crimson-red with individual vessels not easily discernible.

  • (4) The test shall be considered positive if four or more of the animals in the test group exhibit a positive reaction. If only one animal exhibits a positive reaction, the test shall be regarded as negative. If two or three animals exhibit a positive reaction, the test is repeated using a different group of six animals. The second test shall be considered positive if three or more of the animals exhibit a positive reaction. If only one or two animals in the second test exhibit a positive reaction, the test shall be repeated with a different group of six animals. Should a third test be needed, the substance will be regarded as excessively irritant if any animal exhibits a positive response.

  • (5) To assist testing laboratories and other interested persons in interpreting the results obtained when a substance is tested in accordance with the method described in subsection (1) of this section, an “Illustrated Guide for Grading Eye Irritation by Hazardous Substances” is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. The guide contains colour plates depicting responses of varying intensity to specific test solutions. The grade of response and the substance used to produce the response will be indicated.

Method for Testing Skin Irritant Properties

• 3

  • (1) Primary irritation to the skin is measured by a patch-test technique on the abraded and intact skin of an albino rabbit, clipped free of hair. A minimum of six subjects are used in abraded and intact skin tests. Introduce under a square patch such as two single layers of surgical gauze, measuring 1 inch by 1 inch, 0.5 millilitre (in the case of liquids) or 0.5 gram (in the case of solids and semisolids) of the test substance. Dissolve solids in an appropriate solvent and apply the solution as for liquids. The animals are immobilized with patches secured in place by adhesive tape. The entire trunk of the animal is then wrapped with an impervious material such as rubberized cloth for the 24-hour period of exposure. This material aids in maintaining the test patches in position and retards the evaporation of volatile substances. After 24 hours of exposure, the patches are removed and the resulting reactions are evaluated on the basis of the designated values in the following table:

    Evaluation of skin reactions		ValueFootnote for 1
    Erythema and eschar formation:
    	No erythema	0
    	Very slight erythema (barely perceptible)	1
    	Well-defined erythema	2
    	Moderate to severe erythema	3
    	Severe erythema (beet redness) to slight eschar formation (injuries in depth)	4
    Edema formation:
    	No edema	0
    	Very slight edema (barely perceptible)	1
    	Slight edema (edges of area well defined by definite raising)	2
    	Moderate edema (raised approximately one millimetre)	3
    	Severe edema (raised more than one millimetre and extending beyond the area of exposure)	4

    • Return to footnote ¹The “value” recorded for each reading is the average value of the six or more animals subject to the test.

Readings are again made at the end of a total of 72 hours (48 hours after the first reading). An equal number of exposures are made on areas of skin that have been previously abraded. The abrasions are minor incisions through the stratum corneum, but not sufficiently deep to disturb the derma or to produce bleeding. Evaluate the reactions of the abraded skin at 24 hours and 72 hours, as described in this paragraph. Add the values for erythema and eschar formation at 24 hours and at 72 hours for intact skin to the values on abraded skin at 24 hours and at 72 hours (four values). Similarly, add the values for edema formation at 24 hours and at 72 hours for intact and abraded skin (four values). The total of the eight values is divided by four to give the primary irritation score. A score of 5 or more is indicative that the substance is excessively irritant.

• (2) A substance shall not be considered to be excessively corrosive for the purposes of section 11 and paragraph 14(c) of the Regulations unless it causes visible destruction or irreversible changes in tissue at the site of the application.

• (3) A substance shall be considered an excessively strong sensitizer for the purposes of section 11 and paragraph 14(c) of the Regulations if it causes an allergenic sensitization in a substantial number of persons who come into contact with it.

• 1 Equipment

  The following equipment is required:

  • (1) A weight of 20 lbs. (9 kg).

  • (2) A three-pronged claw hook (see Fig. 1).

  • (3) A supporting disc with a circular hole 1 inch (25.4 mm) in diameter.

  • (4) A supporting disc with a circular hole 1 1/2 inches (38.0 mm) in diameter.

• 2 Method of Test

  • (1) Attach the claw hook to the eye.

  • (2) Support the disc in a horizontal position and pass the claw through the 1-inch diameter hole. If there is insufficient clearance for the eye with the claw attached to pass through the 1-inch diameter hole, the disc with the 1 1/2 inch diameter hole should be used.

  • (3) Attach the weight to the claw hook, gradually releasing the weight over approximately 5 seconds and leaving it freely suspended for a period of 5 minutes measured from the time of first applying the load.

• 1 Vibration Test

  Test equipment as described in the Standard Method of Vibration Test for Shipping Containers ASTM D 999-68, a standard of the American Society for Testing and Materials.

  Step 1

  Place the battery on the table of the vibration tester in normal vertical position. Fences may be attached when required to prevent excessive rocking or moving on the table.

  Step 2

  Set the vibration frequency at the minimum speed sufficient to cause the battery to leave the table momentarily so that the shim may be inserted at least 4 inches between the bottom of the battery and the surface of the table. The piece of metal should be capable of being intermittently moved along one entire edge of the longest dimension of the battery.

  Step 3

  Vibrate the battery for 10 minutes. Rotate the battery placing another battery surface in contact with the table. Vibrate 10 minutes. Repeat for all battery surfaces.

  Step 4

  Inspect the exterior of the battery for visible damage. Check for presence of acid on battery surface.

• 2 Drop Test

  • 1 Test equipment as described in the Standard Method of Drop Test for Shipping Containers ASTM D 775-61, a standard of the American Society for Testing and Materials, or in the Drop Test for Fibreboard Shipping Containers, No. T. 802m-44, a standard of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, United States of America.

  • 2 Test Procedure

    Step 1

    With the battery in its normal position, face one end of the container and identify the surfaces as follows:

    • (1) top as 1;

    • (2) right side as 2;

    • (3) bottom as 3;

    • (4) left side as 4;

    • (5) near end as 5;

    • (6) far end as 6.

    Step 2

    Identify edges by the numbers of those two surfaces forming that edge. For example, the edge formed by the top and right side is identified as 1-2.

    Step 3

    Identify corners by the numbers of those three surfaces which meet to form that corner. For example, the corner formed by the right side, bottom, and near end is identified as 2-3-5.

    Step 4

    The drop height shall be as follows:

    • (1) Battery less than 50 pounds — 18 inches. NO ALTERNATIVE.

    Step 5

    Drop battery as specified under Step 4 in the following sequence:

    • (1) the 2-3-5 corner;

    • (2) the shortest edge radiating from that corner;

    • (3) the next longest edge radiating from that corner;

    • (4) the longest edge radiating from that corner;

    • (5) flat on one of the smallest faces;

    • (6) flat on the opposite small face;

    • (7) flat on one of the medium faces;

    • (8) flat on the opposite medium face;

    • (9) flat on one of the largest faces;

    • (10) flat on the opposite large face.

    Step 6

    Inspect the exterior of the battery for visible damage; check for presence of acid on battery surface.

The covering shall be removed from the product and tested in accordance with the following test method:

Scope

• 1 This method covers the evaluation of the flammability of outer coverings of dolls, soft toys, plush toys and any other toys covered with a flat or raised fibre textile material or natural fur, including dolls’ clothing. The term “raised fibre surface” in the method means a napped, pile, tufted, flocked or similar surface.

Principle

• 2 Specimens cut from the outer covering are prepared by brushing where they have a raised fibre surface, by laundering, where they have a flame-retarding finish, and by drying. The dried specimen is held in a special apparatus at an angle of 45 degrees, a standardized flame is applied to the surface near the lower end for 1 second and the time required for flaming to proceed up the specimen a distance of 5 inches (127 mm) is recorded.

Apparatus and Materials

• 3

  • (1) Flammability tester as described in item 1 of Schedule VI.

  • (2) Brushing device as described in item 2 of Schedule VI.

  • (3) Laboratory drying oven.

  • (4) Desiccator, 250 mm in diameter.

  • (5) Calcium chloride, anhydrous.

  • (6) Butane, cp.

  • (7) AATCC Standard Detergent 124.

  • (8) Cotton sewing thread, No. 50, mercerized.

Test Specimens

• 4

  • (1) Five test specimens, each measuring 2 by 6 inches (51 by 152 mm) shall be selected from that part of the outer covering that burns most rapidly.

  • (2) Where possible, in order to select the specimens that burn most rapidly, determine the direction in which to cut the specimens and the part of the outer covering from which to select the specimens by making preliminary trials, in accordance with the prescribed test procedure, with specimens cut in different directions and from different locations in the outer covering. The test specimens shall then be cut in that direction and from that location on the product.

  • (3) For textiles having a raised fibre surface, the long dimension usually is in the direction of lay of the surface fibres.

  • (4) Where the outer covering is an assembly and a portion thereof, including seams, cannot be removed therefrom in a size large enough to provide the required specimen, pieces may be removed and reassembled in the specimen holder in the same manner as in the original assembly, if the pieces are of such size as to be securely held in place by the specimen holder.

  • (5) If the outer covering is known to have a flame-retarding finish, or if preliminary testing indicates that such a finish may be present, the outer covering shall be subjected to the laundering procedure prescribed in item 5.

Laundering Procedure

• 5

  • (1) Textile materials known to have, or suspected of having, a flame-retarding finish applied to them shall be preconditioned by being subjected to the following washing and drying procedure.

  • (2) Prepare a bath solution consisting of water of hardness not greater than 5 grains of calcium carbonate per imperial gallon in an amount 30 times the weight of the sample from which the specimens are to be taken and AATCC Standard Detergent 124 in an amount equal to 15 per cent of the weight of the sample. The temperature of the bath solution must be 95° to 100°F (35° to 38°C).

  • (3) Immerse the sample from which the specimens are to be taken and allow to soak for 3 minutes. Work the sample gently by hand for 2 minutes, squeezing the bath solution through the part of the sample to be tested.

  • (4) Rinse the sample three times in water of hardness not greater than 5 grains of calcium carbonate per imperial gallon in an amount 30 times the weight of the sample from which the specimens are to be taken. The temperature of the rinse water must be 80°F (27°C). Immerse and gently squeeze the sample in the first rinsing bath for 1 minute and in the second and third baths for 2 minutes each.

  • (5) Remove excess water from the sample after each bath by squeezing gently and after the final rinsing bath blot out as much moisture as possible using paper towels or cotton terrycloth.

  • (6) Lay the sample flat to dry at ambient temperature, 65° to 75°F (18° to 24°C).

Preparation of Specimens

• 6

  • (1) Marking and Cutting Specimens. Five specimens, each 2 by 6 inches (51 by 152 mm), shall be marked out on the surface of the material opposite that to be tested with the longer dimension in the direction in which burning is most rapid, as established in the preliminary trials (subitem 4(2)). The end of each specimen toward which flame spread is most rapid shall be identified by attaching a staple to it. The specimens shall then be cut from the material.

  • (2) Brushing and Drying Specimens. Each specimen having a raised fibre surface shall be brushed once against the lay of the surface fibres with the brushing device shown in Fig. 2 of Schedule VI. Specimens not having a raised fibre surface do not require brushing.

  • (3) Each specimen shall be clamped individually in the specimen holders of the flammability tester (Fig. 1 of Schedule VI) so that the stapled end will be in the upper position during the test to ensure that the specimen is mounted in the direction in which burning is most rapid. The mounted specimen shall then be dried in a horizontal position in an oven for 30 minutes at 221°F (105°C) or for 120 minutes at 167°F (75°C), removed from the oven and placed over anhydrous calcium chloride in a desiccator until cool, but for not less than 15 minutes nor more than 2 hours.

Procedure

• 7

  • (1) Adjust the position of the rack of the flammability tester with a holder and trial specimen (not a prepared specimen) in a position so that the tip of the indicator touches the face of the specimen.

  • (2) Open the control valve of the fuel supply and allow approximately 5 minutes for the air to be driven from the fuel line. Ignite the gas and, with the door closed as far as possible, adjust the flame to a length of 5/8 inch (16 mm) measured from its tip to the opening in the gas nozzle.

  • (3) Remove a mounted specimen from the desiccator and place it in position on the rack in the chamber of the apparatus. The flame should be impinged on the test specimen within 45 seconds of the time it was removed from the desiccator. String the stop cord (No. 50 cotton sewing thread) through the guides in the upper plate of the specimen holder, across the top of the specimen, through the guides at the rear of the chamber and over the guide ring and attach the weight to the cord close to and just below the guide ring.

  • (4) Close the door of the apparatus. Set the stop watch at zero. Conduct the test in a draft-free room with the apparatus at room temperature.

  • (5) Bring the starting lever over to the extreme right and release it. This starts the timing mechanism and applies the flame to the specimen for a period of 1 second. Timing is automatic, starting upon application of the flame and ending when the weight is relesed by the burning of the stop cord.

  • (6) Record the time of flame spread for each specimen.

Interpretation of Results

• 8

  • (1) A specimen exhibiting either base burning or surface burning of sufficient intensity to sever the stop cord in 7 seconds or less is considered a failure.

  • (2) If one of the five specimens fails, test five additional specimens. Two failures out of 10 specimens results in a failure of the product to pass the test requirements.

Flammability Tester

• 1

  • (1) The Flammability Tester (Fig. 1) consists of a draft-proof ventilated chamber enclosing a standardized ignition medium, a specimen rack and an automatic timing device.

  • (2) The draft-proof metal chamber prevents air circulation around the specimen rack and flame, but permits free ventilation for rapid oxidation. The chamber is 14 1/2 inches (268 mm) wide by 8 1/2 inches (216 mm) deep by 14 inches (256 mm) high. There are 12 one-half inch (12.7 mm) holes equidistant along the rear of the top closure. A ventilating strip is provided at the base of the sliding glass door in the front of the chamber.

  • (3) The specimen rack provides support for the frames in which the specimens are mounted. The angle of inclination is 45 degrees. Two guide pins projecting downward from the centre of the base of the rack travel in slots provided in the floor of the chamber so that adjustment can be made for the thickness of the specimen in relation to the flame front. An indicating finger is provided, the fore part of which touches the specimen when the rack is correctly adjusted.

  • (4) The specimen holder consists of two 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) matched metal plates with clamps mounted along the sides, between which the specimen is fixed. The plates are slotted and loosely pinned for alignment. The two plates of the holder cover all but 1 1/2 inches (38.1 mm) of the width of the specimen for its full length. The specimen holder is supported in the draft-proof chamber on the rack at an angle of 45 degrees. Five specimen holders are provided.

  • (5) Two control knobs hold the rack in test position. The knobs can be reached under the stage of the cabinet and permit forward and backward movements of the rack when loosened.

  • (6) The ignition medium consists of a spring-motor driven gas jet formed around a 26 gauge hypodermic needle. A trigger located in the front of the apparatus serves to wind the spring-motor when the machine is placed in operation. The gas jet is protected by a copper shield.

  • (7) The stop cord is stretched from the spool through suitable thread guides provided on the specimen frame and chamber walls, permitting the lacing of the cord in the proper position exactly 5 inches (127 mm) from the point where the centre of the ignition flame impinges on the test specimen. The stop cord is a No. 50 mercerized sewing thread.

  • (8) A weight attached by means of a clip to the stop cord, in dropping, actuates the stop motion.

  • (9) The glass door slides in grooves at the front of the cabinet. A knob moves the catch mechanism used to hold the sliding door in an open position for insertion of the test specimen holders.

  • (10) A sensitive fuel control valve regulates the fuel supply at the tank. The valve ends in a 1/2-inch male connection for attachment to the standard No. 4 butane cylinder of 2-pound (0.91 kg) capacity.

  • (11) The flow meter consists of a U-shaped glass tube cut into the gas line to register the gas pressure delivered to the microburner. Attached to the case wall behind the flow meter is a movable metal plate with two parallel horizontal lines properly spaced to indicate the desired gas pressure. When the pressure is off, the plate is so regulated that the liquid level in both sides of the U-shaped tube meets the lower line. When the apparatus is in operation, the pressure is so adjusted that the higher liquid level in the U-shaped tube meets the upper line.

  • (12) The starting lever is operated from left to right in one stroke and is released to operate the gas jet. A driving mechanism on the rear of the cabinet moves the gas jet to its most forward position and automatically starts the stop watch, by means of special attachments, at the moment of flame impact. The weight, when released by severance of the cord, drops onto a platform to stop the watch. Timing is read directly.

Brushing Device

• 2

  • (1) The brushing device (Fig. 2) consists of a base board over which a small carriage is drawn. This carriage runs on parallel tracks attached to the edges of the upper surface of the base board. The brush is hinged with pin hinges at the rear edge of the base board and rests on the carriage vertically with a pressure of 150 g.

  • (2) The brush consists of two rows of stiff nylon bristles mounted with the tufts in a staggered position. The bristles are 0.016 inch (0.41 mm) in diameter and 0.75 inch (19 mm) in length. There are 20 bristles per tuft and four tufts per inch. A clamp is attached to the forward edge of the movable carriage to permit holding the specimen on the carriage during the brushing operation.

  • (3) After the specimen has been put in place on the carriage and fastened by means of the clamp, the brush is raised, the carriage pushed to the rear and the brush lowered to the face of the specimen. The carriage is then drawn forward by hand at a uniform rate.

Modified Specimen Holder

• 3 The modified specimen holder consists of the holder described in subitem 1(4) with the addition of 38 gauge (B & S) spring steel wire securely attached across its width at 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) intervals, arranged so that the calibrated flame impinges at a point midway betweeen the two lowest wires.

FIGURE 1 — FLAMMABILITY TESTER

(Photograph courtesy of United States Testing Company, Inc., Hoboken, N.J., U.S.A.)

FIGURE 2 — BRUSHING DEVICE

(Photograph courtesy of United States Testing Company, Inc., Hoboken, N.J., U.S.A.)

Scope

• 1 This method covers the evaluation of the flammability of dolls, plush (raised fibre) toys and soft toys that

  • (a) have exposed surfaces consisting in whole or in part of yarn of spun staple or bulked continuous filament; or

  • (b) are constructed in whole or in part of parallel bundles of spun staple yarn or bulked continuous filament yarn that are exposed.

Principle

• 2 Specimens cut from the product are prepared by laundering, where they have a flame-retarding finish, and by drying. The dried specimen is held in a special apparatus at an angle of 45 degrees, a standardized flame is applied to the lower end for 1 second and the time required for flaming to proceed up the specimen a distance of 5 inches (127 mm) is recorded.

Apparatus and Materials

• 3

  • (1) Flammability tester as described in item 1 of Schedule VI.

  • (2) Brushing device described in item 2 of Schedule VI.

  • (3) Modified specimen holder described in item 3 of Schedule VI.

  • (4) Laboratory drying oven.

  • (5) Desiccator, 250 mm in diameter.

  • (6) Calcium chloride, anhydrous.

  • (7) Butane, cp.

  • (8) AATCC Standard Detergent 124.

  • (9) Cotton sewing thread, No. 50, mercerized.

Test Specimens

• 4

  • (1) If the yarn is known to have a flame-retarding finish, or if preliminary testing indicates that such a finish may be present, the yarn shall be subjected to the laundering procedure prescribed in item 5.

  • (2) Specimens of the yarn each measuring 6 inches (152 mm) in length shall be selected from that part of the outer covering that burns most rapidly.

Laundering Procedure

• 5

  • (1) Textile materials known to have, or suspected of having, a flame-retarding finish applied to them shall be preconditioned by being subjected to the following washing and drying procedure.

  • (2) Prepare a bath solution consisting of water of hardness not greater than 5 grains of calcium carbonate per imperial gallon in an amount 30 times the weight of the sample from which the specimens are to be taken and AATCC Standard Detergent 124 in an amount equal to 15 per cent of the weight of the sample. The temperature of the bath solution must be 95° to 100°F (35° to 38°C).

  • (3) Immerse the sample from which the specimens are to be taken and allow to soak for 3 minutes. Work the sample gently by hand for 2 minutes, squeezing the bath solution through the part of the sample to be tested.

  • (4) Rinse the sample three times in water of hardness not greater than 5 grains of calcium carbonate per imperial gallon in an amount 30 times the weight of the sample from which the specimens are to be taken. The temperature of the rinse water must be 80°F (27°C). Immerse and gently squeeze the sample in the first rinsing bath for 1 minute and in the second and third baths for 2 minutes each.

  • (5) Remove excess water from the sample after each bath by squeezing gently and after the final rinsing bath blot out as much moisture as possible using paper towels or cotton terrycloth.

  • (6) Lay the sample flat to dry at ambient temperature, 65° to 75°F (18° to 24°C).

Preparation of Specimens

• 6 Sufficient 6-inch lengths of the yarn shall be clamped in the modified specimen holder side by side without overlapping to form a specimen 1 inch wide in the centre of the holder. The loose ends may be tucked under the bottom wire to hold them in place. Five test specimens shall be prepared. The mounted test specimen shall then be dried in an oven for 30 minutes at 221°F (105°C) or 120 minutes at 167°F (75°C), removed from the oven and placed over anhydrous calcium chloride in a desiccator until cool, but for not less than 15 minutes or more than 2 hours.

Procedure

• 7

  • (1) Open the control valve of the fuel supply and allow approximately 5 minutes for the air to be driven from the fuel line. Ignite the gas and, with the door closed as far as possible, adjust the flame to a length of 5/8 inch (16 mm) measured from its tip to the opening in the gas nozzle.

  • (2) Remove a specimen from the desiccator and trim the lower ends to the length that will ensure that the end of the yarn will be contacted by the ignition flame.

  • (3) The test specimen should be tested within 45 seconds of the time it was removed from the desiccator. String the stop cord (No. 50 cotton sewing thread) through the guides in the upper plate of the specimen holder, across the top of the specimen, through the guides at the rear of the chamber and over the guide ring and attach the weight to the cord close to and just below the guide ring.

  • (4) Close the door of the apparatus. Set the stop watch at zero. Conduct the test in a draft-free room with the apparatus at room temperature.

  • (5) Bring the starting lever over to the extreme right and release it. This starts the timing mechanism and applies the flame to the specimen for a period of 1 second. Timing is automatic, starting upon application of the flame and ending when the weight is released by the burning of the stop cord.

  • (6) Record the time of flame spread for each specimen.

Interpretation of Results

• 8

  • (1) A specimen exhibiting burning of sufficient intensity to sever the stop cord in 7 seconds or less is considered a failure.

  • (2) If one of the five specimens fails, test five additional specimens. Two failures out of 10 specimens results in failure of the product to pass the test requirements.

Any product or component of a product that can be totally enclosed in the following small parts cylinder using a force of not more than 1 lb. (0.45 kg) shall be considered an aspiration or an ingestion hazard or both:

Notes:

• – Not to scale

• – All dimensions in mm

Instructions

• 1 Place the template shown above on a horizontal surface.

• 2 Under its own weight, apply the product or component under test to the opening in the template.