SAFEGUARDS SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES HARDLINES NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009 REVISED STANDARDS FOR FIRE SAFETY FOR CANDLES & CANDLE ACCESSORIES Recently, ASTM has announced the release of newly revised standards, ASTM F2417, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles, and ASTM F2601, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories. Their previous versions have been replaced by the 2009 editions. BACKGROUND ASTM F2417 was developed to create the minimum safety requirements for candles.
Candles are defined as flame-producing devices which present a potential harzard to the user. These include e. g. altar candle, birthday candle, and Easter, Paschal, sacramental candle. There are three main safety evaluations for candles mentioned in this standard, including: • the Burning Performance Test, • Stability Test, • Flammability Test for Tea Light Cup. The safety requirements in ASTM F2601 were intended for candle accessories. Candle accessories are defined as objects designed, intended, or marketed for use with a candle.
The main safety evaluations for candle accessories include: • • • the Flammability of Candle Rings or Holders, Fire Safety of Candle Burners Potpourri Burners and Stability Test. HARDLINES NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009 DETAILS OF AMENDMENTS 1. ASTM F2417-09 OTHER CHANGES IN 2009 VERSION INCLUDE: a. ASTM F2417-09 Definitions added for the term noncombustible. Other than the requirement of Stability Testing, the candles must also remain stable or stand upright without the aid of a holding device when subjected to a fire for End-of-Useful Life. b.
ASTM F2601-09 New definitions for the terms candle holder, consumption rate, sustained flaming. Revise definitions for the terms burn time, candle ring, noncombustible. New safety requirements for candle holders and this new option is added in the flammability test besides the candle ring. Other than secondary ignition, excessive flame height or end-of-useful life problems, any cracking or breakage in any part of a candle burner should be avoided. One major modification within the 2009 version is the addition of safety requirements and flammability test methods for Tea Light Cups.
The cups made of noncombustible materials are exempt from this test. The term “noncombustible” can be referred to in ASTM E136, Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 C. The cup specimens are located and exposed to an ignition source under specified conditions. Record the total burn time after removal of the heat source and observe for any continuous or abnormal ignition. 2. ASTM F2601-09 o • • • • • • • • • A new diagram to demonstrate the position, flame height requirement and contact point of the heat source for flammability of candle rings or holders.
Clarification added to define the consumption rate and an open cup flashpoint of tealight candles in accordance with Test Method D92. A new requirement added for sample preparation of candle accessories designed to hold votives or tealights. One significant change within the 2009 version is the removal of the labelling option for differentiating “Class ? ” and “Class ? ” candle rings. That means all candle rings must comply with the flammability requirements before submitting for testing. SGS can provide a wide range of tests for candles in the following testing locations: • • • Aix en Provence, France Fairfield, USA Hong Kong /Guangzhou /Shanghai, China Manila, Philippines Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam We can also offer testing for candle holder and candle accessories in accordance with US and European standards. If you have any question, please contact us. FOR ENQUIRIES: Global Competences Support Centre: gcsc@sgs. com Tommy Tse, Tel: +852 2765 3546 or tomy. tse@sgs. com Asia – Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2334 4481 Fax: +852 2144 7001 mktg. hk@sgs. com Australasia _ Perth. Tel: +61 (0) 3 9790 3418 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9701 0988 au. cts@sgs. om Europe – London —UK. Tel: +44(0) 20 8991 3410 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8991 3417 gb. cts. sales@sgs. com Africa & Middle East – Turkey. Tel: +90 212 225 0024 Fax: +90 212 296 47 82 sgs. turkey@sgs. com Americas – USA. Tel: +1 973 575 5252 Fax: +1 973 575 1193 Marketing. CTS. US@sgs. com www. sgs. com Global Competences Support Centre: gcsc@sgs. com If you wish to unsubscribe to this technical bulletin, go here: Unsubscribe © 2009 SGS SA. All rights reserved. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties’ contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS.
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