ISO 10047:1993

Overview

ISO 10047:1993 - Textiles: Determination of surface burning time of fabrics specifies a laboratory method to measure how quickly a raised-fibre fabric surface (napped, pile, tufted, flocked or similar) burns along its surface. The method times the spread of flame downwards from an ignition point to a fixed reference line on a vertically mounted specimen. Results are intended to characterize surface burning time and flame propagation on pile/nap textiles under controlled conditions, not to predict full-scale fire behaviour.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to fabrics with a raised fibre surface (napped, pile, tufted, flocked).
• Specimen and holder:
  • Specimen size: 150 mm × 75 mm (fabrics narrower tested full width).
  • Frame exposes 125 mm × 50 mm of surface; reference mark is 75 mm below ignition point.
• Ignition and burner:
  • Burner preheated and adjusted to a flame height of 40 mm ± 2 mm.
  • Burner positioned 15 mm from specimen surface so flame contacts ignition point.
  • Gas fuel: commercial propane or butane (or mixtures).
  • Annex A provides burner construction details (gas jet, burner tube, flame stabilizer).
• Conditioning and preparation:
  • Dry specimens in circulating air oven at 105 °C ± 2 °C for ≥1 h; cool in desiccator ≥30 min.
  • Test atmosphere: 10 °C to 30 °C and 15 % to 80 % relative humidity; air movement < 0.2 m/s.
  • Brushing: Raise pile/nap fibres before test using the device described in Annex B (brush specification and operation detailed).
• Test procedure and timing:
  • Minimum of eight specimens per surface orientation (four with long dimension parallel to fabric length, four parallel to width).
  • Flame application timing: 1.0 s ± 0.1 s (solenoid control or manual).
  • Measure time for pile/nap to burn to the reference mark; report minimum value and individual times.
• Reporting: Test method declaration, specimen dimensions/state, number failing to surface-burn, ambient conditions, individual times, and explanatory statement that results alone do not indicate full fire hazard.

Applications

• Quality control and product development for textile manufacturers (upholstery, apparel trims, carpeting).
• Independent test laboratories performing flammability/combustion testing.
• Safety engineers, specifiers and regulators assessing surface-burning characteristics of pile/nap textiles for regulatory compliance or component selection.
• Useful for comparative screening of materials and for informing risk assessments in interiors, furnishings and consumer textiles.

Related standards

• Prepared by ISO/TC 38 (Textiles), Sub‑Committee SC 19 (Burning behaviour). For broader fire-performance assessment, consult other ISO and national standards on textile burning behaviour and full‑scale fire tests (see national standards bodies and ISO/TC 38 publications).