FMVSS 302 – Flammability of Interior Materials

Standard: FMVSS 302 Flammability of interior materials

Scope: Per FMVSS 302: "This standard specifies burn resistance requirements for materials used in the occupant compartments of motor vehicles…The purpose of this standard is to reduce the deaths and injuries to motor vehicle occupants caused by vehicle fires, especially those originating in the interior of the vehicle from sources such as matches or cigarettes."

Products: Materials used in occupant compartments of motor vehicles

Procedure: This method tests a specimen that is 100 mm wide by 356 mm long with a thickness up to 13 mm. The specimen is mounted in a U-shaped metal frame and then exposed to a 38 mm high flame for 15 seconds. The rate of burning is determined by measurements of the horizontal distance burned in relation to the time of burning.

Result: Test results such as rate of burn may be reported. A material passes the requirements if it does not burn, nor transmit a flame front across its surface, at a rate of more than 102 mm per minute. Additionally, a material passes the requirements if it stops burning before it has burned for 60 seconds from the start of timing and has not burned more than 51 mm from the point where the timing was started.

Similar to: ASTM D5132