NFPA 705 Recommended Practice for Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films
While the majority of the standard remains unchanged, several amendments were accepted. In particular with regards to exempting wall coverings. Here is a quick overview of the standard and highlights of the changes:
General : Application/Specific Limitations.
The field test method may be useful to regulatory officials as an indicator of whether a material being used or installed burns very easily or may be flame resistant as indicated by the following:
(a) Cessation of burning when the igniting flame is removed
(b) Failure to burn at all
(c) Continuing to burn non-aggressively after the igniting flame is removed
The field test method has utility only when the authority having jurisdiction has no reliable data or affixed labels to refer to, and therefore, is forced to rely solely on the field test findings.
Changes to NFPA 705 for 2013
1.3.1 These recommendations apply to materials used in the interior of buildings, for protective outdoor coverings such as tarpaulins and tents, and for plastic films (with or without reinforcing or backing) used for decorative or other purposes inside buildings or as temporary or permanent enclosures for buildings under construction.
1.3.3* This recommended practice does not apply to textile wall coverings or to textile ceiling coverings.
A.1.3.3 The fire performance of textile wall coverings and that of ceiling wall coverings is affected to a significant extent by the types of backing (or substrate) and adhesive used. The most appropriate fire tests for textile and ceiling wall coverings are room-corner tests, including NFPA286, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth.
1.3.2* This recommended practice should not be used to determine that a textile material or a film is flame retardant.
A.1.3.2 For many years, codes have used the statement that "materials shall be flame retardant." When that statement applies to textiles or films, it is intended to mean that the textile or film meets the flame propagation performance criteria contained in NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.
