FMVSS 302 test, flammability

Motor vehicles Most of the passenger car interiors including car seats are made of polyester fiber (90% of the world market), and in some cases polypropylene fiber. The flammability testing of fabrics used in motor vehicles, in particular, cars are not mandatory due to the fact that fire incidents in motor vehicles are rare and, moreover, fire spreads relatively slowly. Most manufacturers test seating covers and carpets conform to the U.S. FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) 302 test, which is a simple horizontal flame spread test. Other similar standards are German DIN 75 200, British, Australian BS AU 169, and Japanese JIS D 1201 automotive standards. The curtains and blinds are tested according to tests specific to them discussed earlier. 

Flame retardance is another important property and is defined by different test methods. Some of the small-scale methods include horizontal flame spread (FMVSS 302, ASTM D-1692) vertical flammability (ASTM D-3014, so-called Butler Chimney Test), limiting oxygen index (ASTM D-2863), and smoke density (ASTM D-2840). 

The only internationally used standard concerns the flammability testing of interior materials of motorcars. The US National Highway Transport Safety Administration was the first in regulating this test method when it published its Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS No. 302) in 1972, which was accepted by the International Standard Organization as ISO 3795-1976 (E). 

The FMVSS 302 Test for Flammability of Vehicle Interior Materials [64]... 

FIGURE 29.10 Test results for flammability of the fabrics of PLA and PET in accordance with the Federal Safety Standards for Vehicles FMVSS 302. 

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