The Change in Flame Retardant Rules and the Impact on NCIDQ Exam

Upholstery fabric are required to resist a leading cause of fires – a smoldering cigarette

Image/video courtesy Mayumi (anewdawnanewday)

Flame retardant rules have changed.

In 2013, California announced plans to transform its fire safety standards by dropping California Technical Bulletin 117, the 1975 law that required  foam used in furniture cushions to withstand a 12-second exposure to small, open flame.

This requirement led to the widespread use of chemical additives to slow the spread of flame.

Mounting evidence has shown these chemicals to have serious health effects, including increased breast cancer rates in fire fighters, attention problems and neurological effects in children exposed to these flame retardants during infancy.

The change in flame retardant rules now requires upholstery fabric to resist a smoldering cigarette.

When adopted, this change in flame retardant laws impacted the entire furniture industry.

The new law, called “TB 117-2013″ doesn’t forbid furniture manufacturers to use the chemicals. Instead, it sets a new flammability test — known as a “smolder test — that furniture makers can meet without using the flame-retardant chemicals.

How does this change relate to designers planning to take the NCIDQ exam?

We recommend that our Qpractice members be aware of this change.

You'll need know about Product and Material Coordination, including Life safety (e.g., flammability, toxicity, slip resistance) for the IDPX Exam.

This is was my first attempt at taking all three tests… I passed all sections of the Practicum! I felt extremely confident on the test and I could not have done that without Qpractice. The practice drawings each week made for a perfect way to study for the exam. I passed the IDPX exam as well! I am more than half way there to completing my certification, which is great. Thank you Lisa for all of your help during the fall exams, hopefully in the spring I can check the IDFX off my list!

Justina Potoczak

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