Candle Safety
SAFEGUARDS
SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES
HARDLINES NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009
REVISED STANDARDS FOR FIRE SAFETY FOR CANDLES & CANDLE ACCESSORIES
Recently, ASTM has announced the release of newly revised standards, ASTM F2417, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles, and ASTM F2601, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories. Their previous versions have been replaced by the 2009 editions.
BACKGROUND ASTM F2417 was developed to create the minimum safety requirements for candles. Candles are defined as flame-producing devices which present a potential harzard to the user. These include e.g. altar candle, birthday candle, and Easter, Paschal, sacramental candle. There are three main safety evaluations for candles mentioned in this standard, including:
• the Burning Performance Test, • Stability Test, • Flammability Test for Tea Light
Cup. The safety requirements in ASTM F2601 were intended for candle accessories. Candle accessories are defined as objects designed, intended, or marketed for use with a candle. The main safety evaluations for candle accessories include:
• • •
the Flammability of Candle Rings or Holders, Fire Safety of Candle Burners Potpourri Burners and Stability Test.
HARDLINES
NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009
DETAILS OF AMENDMENTS 1. ASTM F2417-09
OTHER CHANGES IN 2009 VERSION INCLUDE: a. ASTM F2417-09 Definitions added for the term noncombustible. Other than the requirement of Stability Testing, the candles must also remain stable or stand upright without the aid of a holding device when subjected to a fire for End-of-Useful Life. b. ASTM F2601-09 New definitions for the terms candle holder, consumption rate, sustained flaming. Revise definitions for the terms burn time, candle ring, noncombustible. New safety requirements for candle holders and this new option is added in the flammability test besides the candle ring. Other than secondary ignition, excessive flame height or end-of-useful life problems,
SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES
HARDLINES NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009
REVISED STANDARDS FOR FIRE SAFETY FOR CANDLES & CANDLE ACCESSORIES
Recently, ASTM has announced the release of newly revised standards, ASTM F2417, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles, and ASTM F2601, Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories. Their previous versions have been replaced by the 2009 editions.
BACKGROUND ASTM F2417 was developed to create the minimum safety requirements for candles. Candles are defined as flame-producing devices which present a potential harzard to the user. These include e.g. altar candle, birthday candle, and Easter, Paschal, sacramental candle. There are three main safety evaluations for candles mentioned in this standard, including:
• the Burning Performance Test, • Stability Test, • Flammability Test for Tea Light
Cup. The safety requirements in ASTM F2601 were intended for candle accessories. Candle accessories are defined as objects designed, intended, or marketed for use with a candle. The main safety evaluations for candle accessories include:
• • •
the Flammability of Candle Rings or Holders, Fire Safety of Candle Burners Potpourri Burners and Stability Test.
HARDLINES
NO. 145/09 AUGUST 2009
DETAILS OF AMENDMENTS 1. ASTM F2417-09
OTHER CHANGES IN 2009 VERSION INCLUDE: a. ASTM F2417-09 Definitions added for the term noncombustible. Other than the requirement of Stability Testing, the candles must also remain stable or stand upright without the aid of a holding device when subjected to a fire for End-of-Useful Life. b. ASTM F2601-09 New definitions for the terms candle holder, consumption rate, sustained flaming. Revise definitions for the terms burn time, candle ring, noncombustible. New safety requirements for candle holders and this new option is added in the flammability test besides the candle ring. Other than secondary ignition, excessive flame height or end-of-useful life problems,