CGSB Publishes New Edition of Standard for Textile Test Methods - Combustion resistance of mattresses - Cigarette test

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has recently published CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.7-2012, Textile Test Methods — Combustion resistance of mattresses — Cigarette test.This standard is referenced in the Hazardous Products (Mattresses) Regulations under the Hazardous Products Act that is administered by Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada.

The regulations limit the permissible amount of melting, charring, and continuing combustion of any mattress advertised, sold or imported into Canada when tested in accordance with the above-noted CGSB standard. Mattresses remain the number one highest ignition source for fires.For this reason, this textile test method is deemed an important measure of the combustion resistance of mattresses.

Since October 1, 2005, all cigarettes manufactured or imported for sale in Canada must meet the requirements of the Cigarette Ignition Propensity Regulations under the Tobacco Act.These Regulations reduce fire risks from cigarettes by requiring that cigarettes in Canada not burn their full length. Due to the change in regulatory requirements for cigarettes, a Working Group under the CGSB Committee on Textile Test Methods and Terminology was established to examine and test various options to replace the specified cigarette contained in the previous edition of the CGSB Standard. The Hazardous Products (Mattresses) Regulations will be updated to reference the latest edition of this standard.

The new edition of this standard is available for purchase through the CGSB e-store. For more information visit the site: