code of practice flammability safety of children's dress-up · code of practice flammability...

Code of practice

flammability safety of children's dress-up

BRC Flammability Testing of Children’s Dress-up 2

CONTENTS

1. Introduction.............................................................................3

2. Scope .............................................................................................4

3. Method of Test

3.1Introduction ..................................................................................................... 5

3.2Definitions ....................................................................................................... 5

3.3ModificationstoexistingEN71-2method ............................................... 6

3.4Pre-Treatment ................................................................................................. 6

3.5Sampling ...........................................................................................................7

3.6TestSpecimens ............................................................................................... 9

3.7TestResults ....................................................................................................12

4. Requirements & test report

4.1Requirements ................................................................................................13

4.2TestReport ....................................................................................................13

5. explanatory notes ............................................................... 14

6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................... 15

appendix a: rationale ............................................................. 18

appendix b: case studies ........................................................ 21

references ....................................................................................24

LABORATORY CONTACTS .............................................................25

ACKNOWLeDGEMENTS ..................................................................26


1. INTRODUCTIONCLOTHING CAN BURN RAPIDLY WHEN ACCIDENTALLY IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH AN OPEN FLAME OR SIGNIFICANT HEAT SOURCE. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, BURNS AND POTENTIALLY DEATH. CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING WITHOUT SUITABLE ADULT SUPERVISION AND EXPOSED TO THESE CONDITIONS.

Asaresultoftheincreasedrisk,mandatoryregulationsareinplacetocontrolthefireperformanceofthefabricsusedinnightwearandtoys,alongwithcompulsorylabellingtomaketheconsumermoreawareofthedangers:

yTheNightwear(Safety)Regulations1985

yTheToySafetyDirective2009/48/EC/ToySafetyRegulations2011

However,consideringthepotentialriskandvulnerabilityofchildren,ourmembershaveconsideredwhetheritisnecessarytogobeyondthecurrentEN71-2testingstandardtoensuresafety.

Followingthesediscussions,theBRChasworkedwiththeBritishStandardsTechnicalCommitteetoapproachCENwithaviewtoreviewingtheappropriatenessoftheexistingteststandardEN71-2.InJuly2016,CENvoted toreviseEN71-2andtheUKwilltakealeadingrole inthisprocess.

BRCmembersrecognisetheirdutyofcaretotheircustomers,andtheirresponsibilityinsellingproductsthatarebothsafeandlegal.Whilststatisticsandcompliancewithexistingtestmethodsdonotindicatethatdress-upoutfitsareunsafe,retailerswanttogofurther.Thisistoensuresafetytestmethodsreflectthehazardspresentedbytoday’sstyleofcostumes,fabricsandfinishesused.

ThedevelopmentofarevisedEuropeanstandardwilltaketime,sotheBRCanditsmembershaveintroducedtwovoluntaryCodesofPracticetofurtherenhancethesafetyofchildren’sdressupclothing.TheserequirementsareinadditiontotherequirementsoftheToySafetyDirective/EN71-2andarebeingmadeavailableforanyonetouse.

1. AdditionalFlammabilityLabellingofChildren’sDress-up

2. MethodofTestfortheFlammabilitySafetyofChildren’sDress-up

IndevelopingthisCodeofPracticeitisthestateddesireofBRCthatflameretardantchemicalsarenotusedinchildren’sdress-upcostumesduetoconcernsinrelationtotheirpotentialtoxiceffectonbothhumansandtheenvironment.Howeveritisnotnecessaryformaterialstobetestedtoprovetheabsenceofflameretardantchemicals.


2. SCOPE

Thescopeofthisdocumentcoverstoydressingupasidentifiedinthefollowingrelevantlegislation/standards:

1. Article2(Scope)oftheToySafetyDirective(TSD)2009/48/ECdefinesatoya“aproductdesignedorintended,whetherornotexclusively,foruseinplaybychildrenunder14yearsofage”.

2. Children’sdressing-upoutfitshavetocomplywithalltherequirementsoftheToySafetyDirective.Dressing-upoutfitsarecoveredbytheEuropeanHarmonisedStandardEN71-2:SafetyofToys:Flammability,Section4.3ToyDisguiseCostumesandToysIntendedtobeWornbyaChildinPlay.

3. EUGuidanceDocument17ontheApplicationoftheDirectiveonTheSafetyofToys,CarnivalCostumes(disguisecostumes,fancydress).

ApresumptionofconformancewiththeToySafetyDirectiveisgivenbycompliancewiththeharmonisedstandard.

ThisvoluntaryCodeofPractice(COP)isdesignedtoenhancethetestingrequirementsforthesetypeofproducts.Thisdoesnotprecludemembersfromusingthesametestingforotherproducts.

Thiscodeofpracticedoesnotcoveradultdressing upclothing.

TestingThetestmethodwillbereferredtoastheBRCModifiedEN71-2test.

LaboratoriesconductingthistestshouldbeaccreditedtoISO17025(UKASorequivalentundertheILACMLA)withthestandardEN71-2testontheirScopeofAccreditation.

Attentionisdrawntothenewguidanceinthisdocumentontheneedfortestingafterpretreatmentandthepotentialneedforthesamematerialstoalsobetestedbeforepre-treatment.

Foragegradeddress-upclothing,itisrecommendedthatthelargestsizeissubmittedfortestingalthoughitmaybenecessarytotestmorethanonesizeintheagerange.Thenumberofsamplestypicallyrequiredtoundertakeafulltestwilldependontypeandcomplexityofthecostume.Amaximumofsixgarmentswouldprobablysufficeinmostinstances,butinsomecasesadditionalgarmentsmaystillberequiredtocoverallthevariations.Forsimplerdesigns(largecapesorsimpletopandtrousersetsmadefromunembellishedfabric)–asfewas1or2garmentscouldberequired.


3. METHOD OF TEST FOR DRESS-UP COSTUMES USING THE BRC MODIFIED EN71-2 TEST

3.1 IntroductionItisproposedthatthemodificationssetoutinthisprotocolareappliedevenwhenconductingtestinginaccordancewithEN71-2:2011+A1:2014clause5.4.NothinginthisprotocolpreventsmaterialswhichcanbetestedtotheexistingEN71-2methodoftest(clause5.4)frombeingtestedorprecludesthesamplesfrombeingassessedforcompliancewiththerequirementsofEN71-2.However,thisprotocolprovidesadditionalprocedureswhichshallbeusedtoaddressmanyoftheperceivedshortcomingswithintheexistingmethodoftestarisingfromparticularflammabilitybehavioursofconcernand/orthelackofavailabilityofsufficientmaterialtopermittherequiredEN71-2testtobecarriedout.

Giventhatcertainmaterialsmaybeusedinmorethanonestyleofdress-upcostume,albeitindifferingcolourwaysorwithvariationsinprinteddesign,itmaybemoreadvantageoustofabricmanufacturerstoperformthetestingtothisprotocolonthefabricpriortogarmentmanufactureandforthedress-upcostumemanufacturertocross-referencebetweenthefabrictestreportandthedifferentstylesinwhichthatfabrichasbeenused.Thiswillbothreducetheamountofduplicationoftestingneeded(therebyprovidingapotentialcostsaving)andpermitthetestingusingfullsizespecimens.Italsoprovidesthefacilitywherebydress-upcostumemanufacturecansourcematerialswhichhavealreadybeenverifiedasmeetingtheBRCflammabilityrequirements.Thisinturnpotentiallyreducestheamountoftestingrequiredonthefinaldress-upcostumetoanevaluationof‘features’.

3.2 definitionNARROW FABRIC:Afabricorcomponentwhoselengthissubstantiallylongerthanitswidthandthewidthdoesnotexceed5cm.Examplesofnarrowfabricsincludebraid,cords,webbing,ribbons,lacetrim,etc.

PRINT:Adistinctareaofcolourationwhichisappliedseparately tothesurfaceofthefabricafterfabricmanufacture. Thisincludesheattransfers,plastisolprints,placementprints,etc.Howeverdischargeprintsorwhichhavebeendigitallyprintedorrollerprintedduringfabricmanufacturingshallnotbeconsideredtobe‘prints’for thepurposeofthisdefinition(seeA.6).

‘DID NOT IGNITE’:Thephrase‘Didnotignite’isdefinedasbeingnoignitionofthetestspecimenwithanyflamingofthetestspecimenduringoraftertheapplicationoftheignitionsourcehavingadurationoflessthan1second.Fabricswhichsustainaflameforlongerthan1secondbutwhichdonotburntothefirstmarkerthread50mmabovethebottomedgeofthetestspecimenarenotconsideredtofulfilthisdefinition.


3.3 modifications to en71-2 method1. Anadditionaltripthreadshallbepositionedhalfwaybetweentheexisting2threads(i.e.250mmabovethefirsttripthreadand300mmabovetheloweredgeofthetestspecimen).Itisrecommendedthatthisisincludedevenwheresufficientmaterialisavailabletocarryoutthetest,inaccordancewiththeexistingEN71-2method.

100%cottonmarkerthread

Figure 1: Modified Specimen Holder

3.4 pre-treatment

1. Dress-upcostumesandthefabricsintendedtobeusedinthemshouldbetestedinthe‘asreceived’conditiononly. ThetestinginthisCodeofPracticeisintendedtosupplementthatofEN71-2inwhichdressupcostumesintendedforchildrenunder36marerequiredtobecapableofbeingwashedandthereforethebehaviourofthecomponentmaterialsafterwashingwillautomaticallybeassessedbythemandatorytestingrequiredunderEN71-2. Fordress-upcostumesforchildrenover36m EN71-2providesthat: -Costumeswhicharenotintendedtobewashedshall notbewashedpriortotest -Costumeswhichareintendedtobewashedshallbe washedpriortotest -Costumesforwhichnoinformationisprovidedshall bepre-treatedbyusingthesoaktestgivenin EN71-2clause5.4.1.


3.5 sampling1. Allfabricsshallbetestedinbothlengthandwidth

directionsunlessitisstatedthatthematerialisnotintendedtobeusedinsleevesorthecostumeisintendedtobewornontheupperbodyonlyandtheloweredgeofthatcostume(orpartofthecostume)doesfallbelowthecrotch.(seeA.1,A.2). Sleeveswhicharelessthan160mminlength(measuredontheunderarmseamfromthesleevecufftounderarmpoint)donotneedtobetested.

2. Narrowfabricsneedonlybetestedinthelengthormachinedirectionregardlessoftheorientationinwhichtheyappearinthegarment.Howevernarrowfabricswhicharesolelyusedinthewidthdirectionmaystillformpartofthe‘feature’specimenstested.(seeA.3)

3. Fabricsusedincapes,regardlessofwhetherornotthelowesthemofthecapefallsbelowthelevelofthecrotch,shallbetestedinbothlengthandwidthdirections.(seeA.4)

4. Fabricsusedinfeaturessuchascollarswhichareintendedtoprotrudeonlyinanupwardsdirectiondonotneedtobetestedunlesstheyformpartofalargergarmentfeaturewhichisrequiredtobetested.Howevercollarswhichareintendedtohangverticallydownwardsatthebackofthegarmentandwhoseverticaldimensionisgreaterthan160mmshallbetreatedinthesamemannerasacape.

5. Allteststobedoneinduplicate.Thismeanstesting2lengthwayand,whererelevant,2widthwayspecimenspermaterialorfeaturetobetested.(seeA.5).Inorderforafabricorfeaturetobeconsideredto‘pass’therequirements,bothtestspecimensmustsatisfytherequirements.Ifoneorbothtestspecimensexceedsthemaximumpermittedrateofspreadofflamethenthesampleshallbeconsideredto‘fail’tomeettheBRCrequirements.

6. Samplescontaining‘features’suchastrims,seams,etcshallbecutsuchthatthebottomedgeofthetestspecimen(towhichtheignitionsourcewillbeapplied)isrepresentativeofthelowestedgeofthedress-upcostumeorthecuffedgeofthesleeve(seeAppendixB).Ifthebottomedgeorsleevecuffisnotanevenlength(e.g.hasawavyorzig-zagform)thenitispermissibletotrimthebottomedgetoproduceaneven(straight)edgeforthepurposeoftesting.Whereapplicable,thismaymeanthatthetrimmedbottomedgeofthetestspecimenisnotnecessarilythelowestpointonthebottomedgeofthedress-upcostume.

7. Ifafeaturefallsoutsidetheareathetestspecimen(i.e.ismorethan600mmfromthebottomedgeorsleevecuffedge)thenthatfeatureshallnotbetested.(seeA.7)Wherethebottomedgeofthedress-up

8. costumeorlayerofadress-upcostumefallsbelowthelevelofthecrotchthenthetestspecimensshallbetakenintheverticaldirectionofthedress-upcostumeonlyandwiththebottomedgeofthetestspecimenbeingthebottomedgeofthelayerofthedress-upcostume. Note:Fordefinitionofcrotchlevel,refertoEN14682:2014

9. Fordress-upcostumesfeaturingmulti-layerconstructions,testspecimensshallbetakenfromeachlayerandthebottomedgeofthedress-upcostumeshallbetakenasthebottomedgeofeachlayerindividually.Eachlayershallbetestedseparately.(seeA.8)


10. Fordress-upcostumescontainingaplacket,zip,orothermeansoffasteningwhichfallswithinazoneforwhichtestingisrequired(i.e.within600mmofabottomedge),thetestspecimensshallbepreparedwiththeplacketorzippositionedcentrallyandparalleltothelongerdimensionofthetestspecimen.Theziporplacketshallbeinthe‘closed’position(i.ethezip,touchandclosefastenerorbuttonsorotherclosuresshallbefastened).Ifthefasteningisnotvertical,thenthefasteningshallbepositionedsuchthatthefasteningatthebottomedgeofthetestspecimenispositionedatthemid-pointoftheshortsideofthetestspecimenandthetestspecimenshallincorporateonlythatpartofthefasteningthatfallswithintheareaoftheverticallypositionedtestspecimen.

11. Glitterprintsshallonlybetestedafterpretreatmentunlessthereisasignificantvisiblechangeinappearanceofthematerial(e.g.lossofglitterorstiffeningofbasefabric)(seeA.9)inwhichcasetheglitterprintshallalsobetestedintheoriginal(asreceived)condition.

12. Fordress-upcostumescontainingfoamfillings,itisnotnecessarytoseparatethefoamfromthematerialtowhichitisadhered.Itispermissibletoprepareandtestspecimensasalaminate(composite).Thelaminateshallbetestedwiththeoutersurfaceofthelaminatefaceupwards.

13. Otherfillingmaterials(e.g.fibrewadding)whichdonot‘fallout’ofthetestspecimenwhenthetestspecimeniscutfromthedressupcostumecanbetestedasacomposite.Howeverifthefillingmaterial‘fallsout’ofthecompositethenthefillingshallbetestedindividuallyinaccordancewiththerelevantmethodoftestassetoutinthisCodeofPractice.(seeA.10)


3.6 test specimens1. TestSpecimensize

a. Preparetestspecimensofdimensionsatleast610mmx100mmfromeachmaterialavailableonthetoyinaccordancewithEN71-2clause5.4.1(seeFigures2aand2b).Howevertestspecimensshallincludebothsinglematerialswithoutseamededgesoredgesdecoratedwithlacetrimsandalsoadditionalsamplesincorporatingfeaturespresentonthedress-upcostume(seeclause2andAppendicesAandBofthisCodeofPracticeforguidanceonfeaturestobeincluded). NOTE:AlthoughEN71-2clause5.4.1statesthatseamsandtrimsshallbeexcludedfromtestspecimensastheymodifytherateofspreadofflame,suchfeaturesareincorporatedinthisprotocolinordertoassesstheextenttowhichtheymodifytherateofspreadofflame.

b. Forfabricswherethereisinsufficientmaterialtoprepareatestspecimenfromasinglepieceofmaterialorfrom2half-sizepiecesoffabric(asperclauseEN71-25.4.1),prepareatestspecimenoftherequireddimensionsbutusingnomorethan2piecesofanylengthprovidedthatthelongerpieceislocatedatthelowerpartofthetestspecimen(i.e.anyjoinisasfarawayfromthepointofignitionaspossible)(seeFigure2c).

c. Ifitisnotpossibletoobtainsufficientmaterialtoformafulllengthtestspecimenthencarryoutatestusingatestspecimenmadefromasinglepieceoflengthnotlessthan300mm(seeFigure3a).Ifitisnotpossibletoobtainatestspecimenof300mmlengththenuse2pieces,eachofnotlessthan160mm,whichshallbejoinedusinganoverlapof10mmasperEN71-2clause5.4.1(seeFigure3b). Wherethese2piecesareofdifferinglengths,thelongerpieceislocatedatthelowerpartofthetestspecimen(seeFigure3c).

d. Wherehalf-sizespecimensareusedthe500mmtripthreadshallbedisregarded.Ifitisnotpossibletoobtainahalf-sizespecimen,evenif2piecesareused,thenthematerialisexemptfromtheneedtobetested.


Figure 2: Test specimens Figure 3: Short test specimens

(a)Singlepiece

(b)Twoequal sizepieces

(c)Twounequal sizepieces

(a)Singlepiece

(b)Twoequal sizepieces

(c)Twounequal sizepieces

2. Features(e.g.prints,appliques,embellishments,verticallyorientedseams,andanypartofthegarmentwhichisnottestedusinganearliertest,etc):

a. Theseshallbetestedasahalf-sizetestspecimen(i.e.310mmx100mm)andwiththetestspecimenpreparedinthelengthwayorientationonly.

b. Fortrimsatabottomhem,thetrimshallbepositionedattheloweredgeofthetestspecimen(seeFigure4a).

c. Positiontheseaminthecentreofthetestspecimensuchthattheignitionsourceisapplieddirectlytotheseam(seeFigure4b).

3. Materialswhichdonotignite

a. Materialswhichdonotignitewhentestedasaboveshallbere-testedbutwiththeadditionofapieceofcottonfabriccomplyingwithBSENISO105-F09andcutintoasquaremeasuring25mmx25mm.Thecottonsquareshallbeattachedtothecentreofthebottomedgeoftheundersideofthetestspecimenusingmetalstaples.Themetalstaplesshallbeinsertedsothattheyareparalleltothelongeredgeofthetestspecimen(seeFigure5).

b. Wheredamagecausedbytheinitialtestwithoutthecottonfabricpresentdoesnotexceed25mminthelengthoftestspecimen,trimthebottomedgeofthetestspecimenbeforeattachingthecottonfabricasdescribed.Wherethedamageexceeds25mmtheneitherrotatethetestspecimen180°oruseafreshtestspecimen.


a. Iftheextentofanydamagetoatestspecimenwithoutthecottonfabricpresentexceeds25mminlengththenprepareafreshtestspecimen.

b. Theignitionsourceshallbeappliedtothecottonfabric.(seeFigure5)

4. Narrowmaterials Formaterialswhicharenotwideenoughtopermittestingbuthavesufficientlength,ametalwiremeshapproximately20mmx20mmgridshallbeusedtosupportthetestspecimen(seeFigure6). Thespecificationofthemetalwireofthesupportframeshallbeapproximately19gauge20mmsquaremesh.(19gaugeisapprox.1.0mmdiameterwire)

25mmx225mmcottonfabric

Metalstaple

Figure 5: Test specimen with attached cotton fabric (underview)

December 2015 version 1.

Trim

Seam

Pointofflame application

(a) Samlewithtrimatbottom

Pointofflame application

(b) Samlewithverticalseam

Figure 4: Flame application to test specimens with features

Meshsupportframe

Sampleholder

Narrowtestspecimen

Figure 6: Testing of narrow test specimen

Pointofflameapplication


3.7 test results

Outcome Abbreviation Explanation

Didnotignite DNI Noflamingorflaminglastinglessthan1sandthefirsttripthreadisnotsevered.Zerorateofspread 0mm/s Flaminglastinglongerthan1sbutthefirsttripthreadisnotsevered

SelfExtinguishing SE Flaminglastinglongerthan1sandthefirsttripthreadisseveredbutflamingceaseswithoutthesecondtripthreadbeingsevered.

Rateofflamespread xxxmm/s

Thespeedofburningcalculatedfromthetimetakenforatleastthefirstandsecondtripthreadtobesevered.NOTE:Therateofflamespreadmayadditionallybecalculatedbasedonthetimetoalsoseverthethirdtripthreadandthetimetakenfortheflametospreadfromthesecondtothethirdtripthread.


4. REQUIREMENTS & TEST REPORT

4.1 requirements

1. Therateofspreadofflameshallnotexceed10mm/s. Thisrequirementshallbecalculatedfortheseverancetimesforthe250mmand500mmtripthreadsandalsototherateofspreadofflamebetweenthe250mmand500mmtripthreads. Note:Themeasurementoftherateofspreadofflameshallbedeterminedwithouttheneedtotakeuncertaintyofmeasurementintoaccount.(seeA.13)

2. WhenfoamfillingsaretestedattheirsamenominalthicknessasusedinthegarmentandinaccordancewithFMVSS302/BSAU169a,thentherateofspreadofflameshallnotexceed102mm/min(seeA.12).

3. CrumbfoamfillingshallbetestedinaccordancewiththeUKFurniture&Furnishing(Fire)(Safety)RegulationsSchedule1PartII(seeA.13).

4. Allnon-foamfillingsshallbeofatypewhichmeetstheUKFurniture&Furnishing(Fire)(Safety)Regulations1988Schedule2Part1andusingafillingdensityof 15kg/m³(seeA.14).

5. Theoccurrenceofmoltenflamingdropletsordebriswhichcontinuestoburnonthefloorofthetestrigshallbereportedinthetestreport(seeAnnexA.15).

4.2 TEST REPORT Thetestreportshallcontainthefollowinginformation:

a. Referencetothistestmethod(i.e.BRCModified EN71-2test)

b. Detailsofthefabricorcostumetested

c. Whereapplicable,detailsaboutthelocationofeachtestspecimenfromwithinthecostume.Thismaybesupportedbytheuseofphotographsinthetest reportidentifyingtherelevantlocation(s)

d. Thedirectionoftest(lengthorwidth)

e. Whetherornottheadditionalpieceofcottonwaspresent

f. Whetherornotthefirsttripthreadwassevered

g. Whetherornotthesecondtripthreadwasseveredandifso,therateofspreadofflame

h. Whetherornotthethirdtripthreadwasseveredandifso,therateofspreadofflame

i. Ifthethirdtripthreadissevered,therateofspreadofflamebetweenthesecondandthirdtripthreads.

j. Anyoccurrenceofanymoltenflamingdebrisduringthetest.

k. WhetherornotthefabricorcostumemeetstherequirementsofthisCodeofPractice


5. EXPLANATORY NOTES

Theaboveprocedurecanbeappliedtoindividualmaterialspriortothemanufactureofthedress-upcostume.SincethecurrentEN71-2testonlyworksinindividualfabricsthenthisapproachisavalidone.Italsohastheadvantageofallowingfabricsupplierstopreassessthelikelysuitabilityofmaterialspriortothecostumebeingmanufacturedandtothereforeexcludethosewhichburntoorapidly.Howeverthenewprotocolalsoaddstestingofcompositefeatureswhichwillbetterreplicatetheactualcostumebehaviouralthougheventhisfallsshortoftestingtheactualcostumeforwhichafullitemtestwouldberequired.

Thisisseenasacosteffectiveapproach,especiallywhenmaterialsareusedinmultipledesignsandtestresultscanbecross-referencedwithintechnicalfiles.Evenwhenfabricsarethenmodifiedbytheapplicationofglitter,sequins,etc.,samplescanbepreparedfortestingpurposestovalidatethesuitabilityofthematerialspriortothemanufactureofprototypeorproductiongarments.

Theproposalisthatanymaterialwhichhangsbelowthewaistorisusedinasleeveistestedinbothlengthandwidthdirections.Capeswhichareattachedattheshoulderbutwhichhangbelowthewaistwouldthereforebetestedinbothlengthandwidth,whereasanurse’sshortcapewhichfinishesabovethewaistwouldonlybetestedinthelengthdirection.

Sincetherequirementsforpre-treatmentandtestspecimensarebasedontheexistingEN71-2method,thenexistingdataonmaterialstestedtoEN71-2clause5.4canbeevaluatedforcompliancewiththerequirementsofthisprotocol.Previouslytestedmaterialswithratesofspreadofflameoflessthan10mm/scanbeinferredtomeettherequirementsofthisprotocolprovidingthattheyarenotmodifiedbytheapplicationofembellishments,finishessuchasglitter,etc.Thiswillallowexistingmaterialstobeevaluatedfortheircontinuedfutureusewithouttheneedforre-testing.

Previouslytestedmaterialswithratesofspreadofflamegreaterthan10mm/scanbeinferredasnotcomplyingwiththerequirementsofthisprotocol,eventhoughtheymaysatisfytherequirementsofEN71-2.

ThismodifiedEN71-2protocolisnowmorestringentintermsofpermittedrateofflamespread(10mm/smax)whencomparedwithexistingUKNightwearRegulations(12mm/smax).


6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Would it not be best to test a whole garment?

Inanidealworld,thetestingofawholegarmentwouldrepresenttheburningactionofthedressinreal-life.However,nosuchtestmethodologycurrentlyexistsandwouldtakesometimetodevelop.TheBRCalternativeoptionistoteststripsoffabricsusingtheexistingmethodology.Thereisafundamentalissuewithtestingmulti-layeredsamplesusinganymethodbasedon EN71-2namelythatthelayerswillbecompressedintocontactwithoneanotherwhereasinthecostumetherewouldbeairgapsbetweenthelayers,especiallywithstifferfabrics.Assuch,itwouldbepreferabletoconductsomeformofwholegarmenttest.NotestbasedonEN71-2oronthisprotocolcanfullyrepresentthe real-lifeburningbehaviourofthecostume.

Are wigs and masks included in this Code of Practice?

Theshortanswerisno.ThisCOPonlycoverschildren’sdressuponlyitemscoveredbyEN71-2Clause4.3ToyDisguiseCostumesandToysIntendedtobeWornbyaChildinPlay.WigsandmasksarecoveredinEN71-2byclause4.2Toystobewornonthehead.Hoodsandheaddressesfallunderclause4.2.5,whichspecificallyexcludes“thoseitemscoveredbyclause4.3”.AttentionisdrawntotheguidancegiveninCENTR15371:2015SafetyofToys-InterpretationsonEN71-1,EN71-2,EN71-8andEN71-14andinparticulartoclause3,whichaddressesandgivesexamplesofdifferenttypesofdress-upcostumeandhowEN71-2shouldbeapplied.HoweverretailersareatlibertytoapplythisCOPonanyproductshouldtheysowish.

What is meant by accessory?

AccessoryinthisinstancemeansanyproductnotcoveredbyEN71-2Clause4.3ToyDisguiseCostumesandToysIntendedtobeWornbyaChildinPlay.Swords,wands,tiaras,wigs,masksetc.areexcludedfromthisCOPandarecoveredbytheirownseparateflammabilityrequirementswithinEN71-2.

How are tests completed on complex items to determine how to choose which trims and accessories to test?

ThepurposeoftheBRCprotocolistoclarifyhowmaterialsincomplexarticlesaretested.Atpresent,underthetestmethodgiveninEN71-2,Clause5.4anymaterialisexemptfromtestingifthereisinsufficientmaterialtoformtherequiredtestspecimensize.HowevertheBRCprotocolintroducesanumberofdeviationstothestandardEN71-2methodtoenablesuchmaterialstobeassessedforflammabilitybehaviour.

ThenewprotocolallowsformaterialswhichdonothavesufficientmaterialforafullsizeEN71-2specimentostillbetested.Wherethereisstillinsufficientmaterialthentheprotocolallowsforacompositespecimentoincludethatmaterialasa‘feature’(seeclause2oftheprotocol),thereforeallowingsomeformofevaluationtobecarriedout.

Itislikelythatthiswillleadtomorematerialsbeingtestedforcomplexarticles,butshouldallowforthemostflammablematerialstobeeliminatedfromthedesignsthereforeincreasingconsumersafety.


Are multi-layered materials tested individually or in combination?

Wheremultiplematerialsareglued,bonded,sewnorotherwiseattachedtoformalayer(e.g.paddedsuit),thislayershouldbetestedwithoutseparation.Iftherearemultipleindividuallayers(e.g.duallayerpetticoat)theselayersaretestedindividually.

For costumes containing trims and accessories; is the agreement to test all sizes or just the smallest and largest sizes to keep samples to a minimum?

Testingisprimarilybasedontestingtheindividualmaterials,thisshouldavoidtheneedtodosizebasedtesting.Thefirstpointoftestingshouldbeselectingmaterialswhichindividuallyburnslowly.Itisthennecessarytoevaluatethefeaturessuchastrims,prints,etc.toestablishiftheysignificantlyaltertheburningbehaviour.However,featuressuchastrims,prints,appliques,seams,pockets,etc.willstillneedtobeassessedandtheirperformancemaydependonsizerelatedissues.Wheretherearenosize-relatedissues,thensufficientcostumesneedonlybesubmittedtopermittestingofallcomponentsandfeatures.Howeverwheretherearesize-relateddifferences,thenadditionalgarmentsmayberequiredtoestablishwhetherthesizerelatedissuehasanyeffectonflammabilityperformance.Insuchcases,itmightbeappropriatetotestthelargestandsmallestsizestorepresenttheextremesofsizebutthereisnoguaranteethatintermediatesizeswillnotbehavedifferently.

Labsarenotaskingforthesizingdata,theyaresimplyaskingthatthattheclientsubmittingthecostumesfortestingconsidersthedesignwhendecidinghowmanygarmentstosubmittothelaboratoryforflammabilitytesting.Thisinformationmayhowevernotbeknownbytheretailerorimporterhencetheguidancethat6itemsperdesignaresubmitted.Duetothecomplexityinsomeinstancesalabmayrequireadditionalsamples.

Similarly,forsimpledesignsonly1or2garmentsmayberequiredfortesting.

Responsibilityforsubmittingtheappropriatesizesofcostumelieswiththedesigner/manufacturer/importer/retailer.Laboratoriescanonlytestthesamplessubmitted.

The BRC protocol states all materials to be tested in both length and width direction for those materials used below the waist and/or in sleeves; What happens if the bodice is a separate material, how should it be tested? Revert back to the usual EN71-2 or use the modified method with 2 trip wires but only lengthways?

Ifthebodiceisintendedtobewornabovethewaistonly(i.e.isatopratherthanadress)thenthematerialsmustinitiallybetestedaccordingtothestandardEN71-2methodasthisisthelegalrequirement.HowevertheBRCprotocolmayalsobeusedtoprovideadditionalinformationontheburningcharacteristics.Wherethereisinsufficientmaterialand/orwherethereisariskthatthefabricisathigherriskofbeingexposedtoanakedflame(asisthecasewithsleeves,skirts,dresses,etc.)thentheBRCprotocolshouldbeusedandrecommendstestinginbothlengthandwidthdirections.Thepurposeofthisclauseistoaddresstheincreasedflammabilityriskassociatedwithsleevesandgarmentswornbelowthewaist,whicharemorelikelytocomeintoaccidentalcontactwithanignitionsource.

EN71-2statesthatthefabricshallbetestedintheverticaldirectionifpossible(evenifthismeansjoining2equalhalf-lengthspecimens).Typicallyforthesleevesthiswillbeinthelengthdirectionofthesleeve,butdependingongarmentdimensionsand/ordirectioninwhichfabricforthesleeveswascut,thelengthdirectionofthesleevemaynotnecessarilybethelengthdirectionofthefabric.


Sincethewearercouldreachouthorizontallyoveranignitionsource(e.g.candle)andparticularlyifthesleevesareloosefitting,thenaflammabilityhazardpotentiallyexistsinbothgarmentlengthandwidthdirectionsandthereforethefabricusedinthesleevesshouldbetestedinbothdirections.TestsshouldalwaysbeinaccordancewithEN71-2asfarasispossiblebutifthereisinsufficientmaterialthenthemodifiedprotocolshallbeused.

Section 3.6 clause 2(b) – For the bottom hem, the trim shall be positioned at the lower edge of the test specimen – does this include necklines and sleeves?

Thetrimshallformthebottomedgeofthetestspecimeni.e.theedgetowhichtheignitionsflameisapplied(asperFigure4a).Trimsonnecklinesarenot“trimsatthebottomhem”buttrimsonsleevecuffsshouldbeconsideredas“trimsonthebottomhem”.

Section 3.6 clause 3 - Materials that do not ignite. Why is cotton being added to fabrics that do not ignite? Surely not igniting is the result we want and adding the cotton is not representative of an actual garment being worn?

Thereasonbehindthecottonisthatsomematerialsmeltwhentestedinisolationbutifinthevicinityofamaterialwhichdoesn’t(e.g.cotton)thenthemoltenmaterialbecomestrappedontheothermaterialandcanthen burnmuchmorevigorouslyratherthansimplymelt. Costumesarelikelytobewornoverotherclothessoweoptedtointroducethismodificationtoensurethatwhenapieceofnon-FR(flameretardant)cottonispresentthentheburningbehaviourremainsacceptable.


APPENDIX A: RATIONALE

A.1. Fabricsaretestedinbothlengthandwidthdirectionsbecauseitmaynotbeknownwhetherthelengthdirectionofafabricwillcorrespondtothelengthdirectionofthegarment.Fabricsmayburnatdifferentratesorbehavedifferentlyindifferentorientations.Currentindustrypracticefordress-updiffersfromthatofthewiderclothingindustryandthereforetestinginbothdirectionswillensurethatregardlessofthefabricorientationtheburningbehaviourmeetsBRC’srequirementsforflammability.

A.2. Fabricsusedbelowthewaistorinsleevesmustbetestedinbothlengthandwidthdirectionssincetheseareasofagarmentpresentthegreatestrisksofignition.Thereisnodifferentiationforclosefittinggarmentssuchastrousersinordertokeepthistestingprotocolsimpleeventhoughclosefittinggarmentspresentalowerriskthanlooseflowinggarmentssuchasskirts,dresses,etc.Shortorcappedsleevesareexemptedastheyrepresentlittlerisktothewearer.

A.3. Narrowfabrics,whentestedseparately,suchasbraid,lace,etc.onlyneedtobetestedinthelengthormachinedirectionsincetheyrepresentonlyarelativelysmallelementofthedress-upcostume.However,wherenarrowfabricsareusedthentheymaybeincorporatedintocompositespecimenswhichencapsulategarmentfeaturestherebyallowingtheircontributiontotheoverallburningbehaviourtobeevaluated.

A.4. Narrowfabricswhichareonlyusedinthewidthwaydirectioninthedisguisecostumedonotneedtobetestedinthelengthdirectionprovidedthattheyaretestedaspartofalengthway‘feature’testspecimen.

A.5. Fabricsusedincapesneedtobetestedinbothdirectionssinceacapeisinherentlyalooseflowingelementinacostumeandbeingwornonthechild’sbackpresentsapotentiallyhigherriskofignitionthanmayotherwiseoccur.

A.6. Testingisdoneinduplicateperdirectioninordertoprovidegreaterconfidenceintheconsistencyofthetestresultsproduced,especiallyiftherateofspreadofflameisneartothemaximumpermittedlimit. EN71-2clause5.4onlyrequiresasingletestspecimenandpermitstestinginwhicheverdirectionallowsatestspecimenoftherelevantdimensionstobetaken.However,withthereductioninmaximumpermittedrateofspreadofflame,itisnecessarytoensuretherobustnessofcompliancebytestinginduplicate.

A.7.Fabricswhichareprintedduringtextilemanufacturing(i.e.rollerprinted,screenprinted,dischargeprinted)arenotconsideredtorequiretestingprovidedthatthebasefabricortheprintedfabrichavebeentestedandcomplywiththeBRCrequirements.Thisisbecauseinksandpigmentsusedtextileprintingdonotcontributetotheflammabilityoftheunderlyingtextile.Howeverothertypesofprintingsuchasplacementprintswhicharemorecommonlyappliedtothefabricorgarmentatthegarmentmanufacturingstagecaneitherenhanceorbedetrimentaltotheburningbehaviourofthefinalgarmentandthereforethefabricisrequiredtobetestedbothwithandwithouttheprintpresent. Similarly,materialsforwhichtheprintdesignvariesbutthemethodofprintingremainsthesamedonotneedtobetestedmorethanonce.Howeveritisforthesuppliertobeabletoshowthatthebasesubstratematerialisthesamequalityineachcase.


A.8.Hoods(orthefabricfromwhichtheyaremade)whichformapermanentandintegralpartofadisguisecostumeareincludedwithinthescopeofhisprotocol.Howeverhatsandheadwearsuchasheadbands,etcwhichareseparatefromthemaindisguisecostumeareexcludedfromthisprotocolsincetheyarecoveredbyotherclauseswithinEN71-2.

A.9. Theprincipleforselectingtestspecimensisthatthegreatestriskarisesfromignitionofthebottomedgeorsleevecuffofthedress-upcostume.Featureswhichoccuronlyintheupperpartofthedress-upcostume(i.e.aroundthewaistareaorintheupperchestarea)andwhicharemorethan600mmfromtheloweredgeorsleevecuffedgearenotconsideredtopresentanundueflammabilityhazardsincetheyareunlikelytobethepointofignitionofthedress-upcostume.

A.10.Dress-upcostumesmayconsistofanumberoflayers,forexampleadressmayhaveanunderskirt,overskirtanddecorativemeshlayers.Eachlayershallbetestedseparatelyandthebottomedgeforeachlayershallbetakenasthebottomedgeofthematerialformingthatlayer.

A.11. Glitterprintsaretestedbeforeandafterpretreatmentbecausethepre-treatmentmayremoveanyfinishand/oradhesivewhichmayaffecttheflammabilityoftheglitterprintmaterial.Thereforetheglitterprintmaterialmayexhibitahigherrateofspreadofflamebeforepre-treatmentthanafterpre-treatment.

A.12. Itisrecommendedthatfillingmaterialsareselectedandtestedseparatelybeforebeingincorporatedintothedress-upcostume.Thismaybeundertakenbyeitherthefillingsupplierorthedress-upcostumemanufacturer.Thisapproachbothpermitsthetestingofpre-verifiedfillingmaterialsandavoidstheuseofpotentiallyhighlyflammablefillings.Howeveritmaybenecessarytore-testthefillingmaterialasalaminateinordertoensurethatthereisnodetrimentalinteractionbetweenfillingandothercomponentsinthecompositesample.

A.13. Theuncertaintyofmeasurementhasbeenestablishedasbeingnogreaterthan1.5mm/s.Thisisbasedonmanualmeasurementofthetripthreadseverancetimesandforelectronicallymeasuredtimingstheuncertaintymaybeless.Howeverinestablishingalimitof10mm/sfortherateofspreadofflame,thisuncertaintyhasalreadybeentakenintoaccount.Thismeansthatatestresultof10mm/scannotbegreaterthan11.5mm/satworseandevenatthisleveltherateofspreadofflameisnoworsethantheequivalentrateappliedtonightwearundertheUK’sNightwearSafetyRegulations1985.

A.14. Itisrecommendedthatfoamfillingsaretestedpriortotheirincorporationintothecostume.Themethodoftestchosentoevaluatefoamfillingsisasmallscaletestwhichisthesameasthatusedbytheautomotiveindustry.However,thinlayersoffoamwhichhasincorporatedintothedress-upcostumeaspartofalaminatecanalsobetestedinitscompositeform(i.e.inconjunctionwiththefabricormaterialtowhichitisbonded)usingthisBRCmethodoftest.


A.15. Crumbfoamisfoamformedbytheshreddingoflargerpiecesoffoamandusuallycontainsmorethan1typeoffoamwithinthecrumbmixture.Althoughnotcommonlyusedindress-upcostumes,atestrequirementhasbeenincludedinordertorestrictthepotentialflammabilityriskarisingfromtheuseofsuchfillingmaterials.

A.16. Forallnon-foamfillings(loosefibre,wadding,feathers,polystyrenebead,etc),itisrecommendedthatsuchfillingsaretestedpriortotheirincorporationintothedress-upcostume.ThetestchosenisthatusedintheUKtoidentifyhighlyflammablenon-foamfillingmaterialsusedinupholsteredfurniture.Thisisarelativelylargescaletestwhichitwouldnotbepossibletocarryoutbyremovingfillingfromoneormoredress-upcostumes.Suchmaterialstypicallywould‘flow’outofatestspecimenwhenitiscutfromthedress-upcostumeandthereforecouldnotbetestedusingthisBRCmethod.Thetestmethodsetsarequirementthatthematerialisself-extinguishingwithin2minutesandthishasbeendemonstratedtodifferentiatebetweenthosematerialswhichburnreadilyandthosewhichdonot.Inaddition,itisknownthatsyntheticfibrefillingssuchaspolyesterwhichhavebeensiliconized(inordertomakeprocessingofthefibremoreefficient)willtendtofailthistestwhereasnon-siliconisedfibrewilltendtopassthesametest.Itisthereforerecommendedthatnon-siliconisedfibreisusedinordertolimitthecontributionofthefibrefillingtotheoverallflammabilityofthedress-upcostume.

A.17.Theoccurrenceofmoltenflamingdropletsormoltenflamingdebriscanleadtosecondaryignitionofthedress-upcostumeifthedropletsordebrisfallsontoothermaterialsinthedress-upcostumeorontoanyotherclothingbeingwornbeneaththecostume.Inaddition,themoltenflamingdropletscanfallontoandadheretotheskinandmayresultinfullthicknesslocalisedskinburnswhichmaybeverypainful. Itisacknowledgedthatifmoltenflamingdropletsormoltenflamingdebrisweretobeprohibitedthiswouldcausedifficultytotheindustrywhilstalternativematerialsweredevelopedanddress-upcostumesre-designedtoavoidsuchbehaviour. NorequirementprohibitingsuchbehaviourhasbeenincludedintothisBRCCodeofPracticeatthistimebutithasbeendecidedthattheoccurrenceofmoltenflamingdebrisdoesnotneedtobereportedinthetestreportunlessspecificallyrequestedbytheuser. Itisintendedthattheissueofmoltenflamingdropletsormoltenflamingdebriswillbemonitoredandthepositionreviewedonaperiodicbasis.


APPENDIX B: CASE STUDIES

Case study #1:

Thiscostumecontainsanumberoffeatures(grey,blackandchequeredpanels)atspecificpoints.Thefeaturesarefullysewntothebasefabricanddonotprotrudeorhangoffthecostume.Itisnotpracticaltotesteachcomponentindividuallyandtheriskarisingfromthevariousfeaturesisrelativelysmall.Thereforeitisonlynecessarytotestthebasefabric(yellow)pluscompositespecimensincorporatingthosefeaturesbasedonthebottomedgerepresentingthepointofignition.

Thetestspecimensrequiredwouldtherefore beasfollows:

a. Basefabric(samples#1)–testedinbothlengthandwidthdirection(widthwayspecimenmadefromtwohalf-sizedpieces)

b. Lengthwaysample#2incorporatingbottomhemandcentre-backseam

c. Lengthwaysample#3incorporatingfrontplacketandclosuremechanism

d. Lengthwaysample#4incorporatingsleevecuffedge

Thepatchpockets,mocktie,etc.wouldnotbetestedunlesstheyfellwithintheareaboundedbythesizeofthetestspecimen.

Featuresnottested

3

4

1

2

11


Case study #2:

Thiscostumehasanunevenbutunhemmedbottomedge.Thelengthwaytestspecimensmaybepreparedsuchthatthebottomedgeofthetestspecimenissquarecut.Thebodyfabricshallbetestedinbothlengthandwidthwaydirectionssincethecostumeincludessleevesandmayextendbelowthewaist.Lengthwaysamplecutwithstraightloweredge.

Case study #3:

Thisitemhasaskirtwithmulti-layeredinsetfrontpanel.Itisnecessarytotestboththebaseprintedredfabric(sample#1),theblacksatinformingthefrontpanel(sample#2)andthematerial-formingthesleeveincorporatingboththemeshlowersleeveandthematerialformingtheupperpartofthesleeve(sample#3).Inaddition,becausethecollarisdesignedtostandupwardsbehindtheheadbutcouldfallverticallybehindthewearer,sothecollarshouldbetested(sample#4)butmayonlyhaveenoughmaterialtopermittheuseofhalf-sizedspecimens.Additionalsamplestoincludethesideseamoftheskirtmayalsoberequired.

Thefeaturesintheupperbodyareawouldnotbetestedunlessthesizeofthecostumeincorporatedthemintosamples#1or#2.

1

1

4

12

3


Case study #4:

Thiscostumeincludesabasematerialwithaplacementprint.Itisnecessarytotestboththebasematerialandtheprintedmaterialinbothlengthandwidthdirections.Inadditionitmaybenecessarytotestadditionalspecimensincorporatingthesideseamsinthelengthdirectiononly.

Note:Widthwayspecimensofthebasematerialmaybetakenfromthebackofthecostumewhichisunprinted.

Case study #5:

This‘costume’includestheouterfabricoftheboxinggloves,thefillingandvarioustrimsincludingthelaces(narrowfabric).Howevertheoverallsizeoftheboxingglovesislikelytobelessthan300mm,thereforeitwouldnotbepossibletoobtainsufficientmaterialfromthefinishedarticletopermittestinginaccordancewiththisprotocol.Howeveritwouldstillbepossiblefortheindividualmaterialsusedtoconstructtheboxingglovestobetestedpriortoconstructionoftheactualboxinggloves.

1

2

Samplecontainingprintedmaterial

Samplecontainingbasematerial(unprinted)


REFERENCES

Directive2009/48/ECoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof18June2009ontheSafetyofToyshttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009L0048&from=EN

EnactedintheUKasTheToys(Safety)Regulations2011No.1881http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1881/pdfs/uksi_20111881_en.pdf

GuidanceDocumentNo.17ontheApplicationoftheDirectiveontheSafetyofToys,Carnivalcostumes(disguisecostumes,fancydress)http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/toys/safety/guidance/index_en.htm

CENTR15371-1:2015Safetyoftoys—Interpretations—Part1:RepliestorequestsforinterpretationofEN71-1,EN71-2,EN71-8andEN71-14

EN71-2Safetyoftoys-Part2:Flammability

BSEN14682:2014SafetyofChildren’sClothing–CordsandDrawstringsonChildren’sClothing–Specification.


LABORATORY CONTACTS

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services UK 31KingslandGrange,Woolston,Warrington,WA14RW

Shawna Hill (Customer Services) Email:[email protected] Switchboard:01925854360 Directtelephone:01925854372

IntertekCentreCourt,MeridianBusinessPark,Leicester,LE191WD

Philip Bullock (technical) Email:[email protected]

Kristina Pavlovicova (Customer Services) Email:[email protected] Tel:+441162961590

Modern Testing Services (UK)/HSTTS118LuptonAvenue,Leeds,WestYorkshire,LS96ED

Alan Ross, Technical Manager Email:[email protected]/[email protected] Tel:01132488830

ACKNOWLDGEMENTSThe BRC would like to thank all those committee members who actively contributed to this code of practice. Contributing companies:

ALDI

AsdaStoresLtd

BootsUKLimited

JohnLewisplc

Marks&Spencer

Morrisons

Mothercare

NextRetailLtd

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury'sArgos

TescoStoresLtd

TheCo-OperativeGroup

Waitrose

WHSmith

WilkoRetail

The BRC would like to thank the following manufacturers who actively contributed to this code of Pratice:

Christy'sbyDesign RubiesUK Smiffy's

We would also like to thank the experts from the following organisations for their valuable co-operation and input in delivering this test methodology:

BureauVeritas(BV)

HighStreetTextileTestingServicesLtd(HSTTS)

Intertek(ITS)

ModernTestingServices(MTSUK)

Issue 03: December 2016

BritishRetailConsortium 4thFloor,2LondonBridge London,SE19RA

02078548900 [email protected]

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code of practice flammability safety of children's dress-up · code of practice flammability...

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