Fire testing of vinyl wallcovering was an important part of the initial specification for wallcovering when the Federal Specification CCC-W-408 was first initiated. The ASTM F-793 and the CFFA–W-101 included fire testing when they were written. Safety of the consumer, or end-user, has always been of utmost importance to the manufacturers of vinyl wallcovering.
ASTM E-84 and UL 723 represent tests for "Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.” The purpose of the tests is to measure the horizontal flame spread and smoke development of interior finish building materials. The burning rate and smoke development of the wallcovering undergoing testing is compared to the burning rate and smoke development of standard red oak flooring. Until the later part of the 1990s, the actual fire testing was conducted with wallcovering adhered to a fiberglass reinforced cement board (RCB). Wording in the appendix of the test encouraged testing on gypsum but did not require testing gypsum. Wording changed from “may” to “shall” in the appendix and the nature of the fire testing changed. Currently, the ASTM E-84 (2005) requires that fire testing be conducted on a standard fire rated gypsum board, Type X gypsum. Specification CFFA-W-101-D still states to test on reinforced cement board unless required otherwise.
CCC-408A-D, ASTM F-793, and CFFA-W-101-A-D have had the following values for their classifications when tested on reinforced cement board:
Class A or Class 1
Flame Spread Classification 0-25. Smoke Development 0-50.
Class B or Class 2
Flame Spread Classification 26-75. Smoke Development 0-100.
The Uniform Building Code and the National Fire Protection Association require testing on Type X gypsum. These testing procedures are essentially identical to the ASTM E-84 except the wallcovering is tested while adhered to the gypsum rather than the reinforced cement board. UBC-8-2 and NFPA 255 are “Tests for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials” and have the following values for their classification when tested on 5/8” Type X gypsum board:
Class A
Flame Spread Classification 0-25. Smoke Development 0-450.
Class B
Flame Spread Classification 26-75. Smoke Development 0-450.
According to the NFPA Life Safety Code 101-2003, non-expanded vinyl wallcovering can be tested according to the NFPA 286 “Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth” (also known as UBC 42-2) instead of the NFPA 255. Expanded vinyl must be tested according to the NFPA 286. The Room Corner Burn simulates an actual room environment. Wallcovering is adhered to the three walls of a small room (8’ x 12’) and a fire is started and its progress is measured throughout the test. NFPA 265 is similar to the NFPA 286 but is specific to textile wallcovering.
MDC has also tested and passed the most popular wallcovering constructions according to the NFPA 286.
- 20 oz. Wallcovering with poly/cotton backing Type II
- 20 oz. Wallcovering with non-Woven backing Type II
- 23 oz. Wallcovering with 100% polyester backing Type II
- 15 oz. Wallcovering with poly/cotton scrim backing Type I
- 15 oz. Wallcovering with non-woven backing Type I