Modification of ASTM E 2187 for Measuring the Ignition Propensity of Conventional Cigarettes

Current existing and proposed US flammability standards for soft furnishings such as mattresses and upholstered furniture specify a “standard” cigarette as the ignition source in smoldering resistance performance tests. With the increasing prevalence of reduced ignition propensity cigarettes in the marketplace, the conventional cigarette that has been most widely used in smolder resistance testing is no longer in production. To support manufacturers and testing organizations in product design and testing, and to assist regulators in the compliance evaluation process, a continuing supply of standard conventional cigarettes is required. A key first step in establishing such a supply is the development of a measurement method for quantifying the ignition propensity of a standard cigarette similar to the one currently used for testing soft furnishings. This article describes such a measurement method. It also reports performance data for the conventional test cigarette and other contemporary cigarettes.