Smoke density and surface flammability fire test requirements of material used in the interior of U.S. public transportation vehicles to include rail passenger cars, transit buses, and transit vans.
There are three widely used documents that describe the required smoke and surface flammability maximums for transit materials:
While the documents are substantially the same, there are differences that are significant enough to require the reader to evaluate all standards independently.
For example, the Federal Transit Administration Docket 90-A sets a maximum smoke density of 200 at 4 minutes for foam seating cushions.
The federal rail criteria and NFPA reduces the maximum from 200 down to 175.
Also, the "Product Criteria" listings are expressed differently in each of the three documents.
The SGS Govmark summaries of these requirements are offered as a ready reference.
Category | Function of Material | ASTM E662 | ASTM E162 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Max Specific Density | Max Flame Spread* | |||
90 Seconds | 4 Minutes | |||
Cushions, Mattresses | All | 100 | 175 | 25** |
Fabrics | Seat upholstery, mattress ticking & covers, curtains, draperies, wall coverings, & window shades | NR | 200 | (1) |
Other Vehicle Components | Seat & mattress frames, wall & ceiling panels, seat & toilet shrouds, tray & other tables, partitions, shelves, opaque windscreens, end caps, roof housings, & component boxes & covers | 100 | 200 | 35 |
Flexible cellular foams used in armrests & seat padding | 100 | 175 | 25** | |
Thermal & acoustic insulation | NR | 100 | 25 | |
HVAC ducting | NR | 100 | 35 | |
Floor covering | 100 | 200 | (2) | |
Light diffusers, windows & transparent plastic windscreens | 100 | 200 | 100 | |
Elastomers | Window gaskets, door nosings, inter-car diaphragms, roof mats, & seat springs | 100 | 200 | (3) |
Structural Components | Flooring, Other | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Category | Function of Material | ASTM E662 | ASTM E162 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Max Specific Density | Max Flame Spread* | |||
90 Seconds | 4 Minutes | |||
Seating | Cushion | 100 | 20 | 25** |
Frame | 100 | 200 | 35 | |
Shroud | 100 | 200 | 35 | |
Upholstery - Coated | NR | 250 | (1) | |
Upholstery - Uncoated | NR | 100 | (1) | |
Panels | Wall | 100 | 200 | 35 |
Ceiling | 100 | 200 | 35 | |
Partition | 100 | 200 | 35 | |
Windscreen | 100 | 200 | 35 | |
HVAC Ducting | NR | 100 | 35 | |
Light Diffuser | 100 | 200 | 100 | |
Flooring | Wheel Well & Structural | NR | NR | N/A |
Carpeting | NR | NR | (2) | |
Insulation | Thermal | NR | 100 | 25 |
Acoustic | NR | 100 | 25 | |
Miscellaneous | Firewall | NR | NR | N/A |
Exterior Shell | 100 | 200 | 35 |
Category | Function of Material | ASTM E662 | ASTM E162 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Max Specific Density | Max Flame Spread* | |||
90 Seconds | 4 Minutes | |||
Cushioning | All individual flexible cushioning materials used in seat cushions, mattresses, mattress pads, armrests, crash pads, & grab rail padding | 100 | 175 | 25** |
Fabrics | Seat upholstery, mattress ticking & covers, curtains, draperies, window shades, & woven seat cushion suspensions | NR | 200 | (1) |
Other Vehicle Components | Seat & mattress frames, wall & ceiling lining & panels, seat & toilet shrouds, toilet seats, trays & other tables, partitions, shelves, opaque windscreens, combustible signage, end caps, roof housings, articulation bellows, exterior shells, nonmetallic skirts, & component boxes & covers | 100 | 200 | 35 |
Thermal & acoustical insulation | NR | 100 | 25 | |
HVAC ducting | NR | 100 | 25 | |
Floor covering | 100 | 200 | (2) | |
Light diffusers, windows, & transparent plastic windscreens | 100 | 200 | 100 | |
Adhesives & sealants | 200 | 200 | 35 | |
Elastomers | Window gaskets, door nosings, inter-car diaphragms, seat cushion suspension diaphragms, & roof mats | 100 | 200 | (3) |
Wire & Cable | All | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Structural Components | Flooring, Other | NR | NR | N/A |