What is BS EN 13772 – Burning behaviour of curtains and drapes about?
BS EN 13772 is an international standard that focuses on the measurement of flame spread and burning behaviour.
BS EN 13772 specifies a method for the measurement of the flame spread of vertically oriented textile fabrics intended for curtains and drapes in the form of single or multi-component (coated, quilted, multi-layered, sandwich construction and similar combinations) fabrics using a large ignition source.
Note: Reaction to fire parameters like smoke development, heat release and toxic components were not considered in BS EN 13772.
Who is BS EN 13772 - Burning behaviour of curtains and drapes for?
BS EN 13772 on the burning behaviour of curtains and drapes is useful for:
- Curtains and drapes manufacturers
- Textile manufacturer
- Clothing industries
- Textile testing laboratories
- Fabric quality assurance authorities
- Textiles and textile products manufacturers
Why should you use BS EN 13772 - Burning behaviour of curtains and drapes?
Quality of textiles can be coined as the level of acceptance of clothing products or services. For the textile and apparel industry, product quality is checked in terms of finish and class of the fibres, yarns, fabric construction, color fastness, designs, and the final product.
To assess the burning behaviour of curtains and drapes two test methods were established, i.e., the measurement of ignitability and the measurement of flame spread.
BS EN 13772 exemplifies a test procedure for determining the flame spread properties of ignitable products, which helps the users to measure the flame spread of vertically oriented specimens exposed to a defined small flame.
The equipment used BS EN 13772 has therefore been modified by adding a radiator, which radiates on the lower part of the specimen to boost local and temporarily the ignition of the specimen. The combination of this radiation and the small flame application simulates the action from a larger flaming source.
BS EN 13772 serves the purpose to set up the measures to establish a small-scale test method for assessing the burning behaviour of curtains and drapes using a large ignition source.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13772:2011 supersedes BS EN 13772:2003. BS EN 13772:2011 includes some technical changes concerning BS EN 13772:2003. These include:
- All three marker threads shall be used
- Tolerances for the position of the electric radiator and the tension of the marker threads have been introduced
- The metal grid below the specimen has been defined more precisely
- Major adjustments to the cleansing procedure