With safety in the home being of paramount importance, the ASTM Subcommittee F15.45 has updated the existing standard covering specifications for fire safety of candles and candle accessories. Safety has been highlighted in Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls that have shown how a variety of candle accessories have been involved in fires caused by candles in household and home settings.

The safety requirements in ASTM F2601-12 are intended for candle accessories, as defined to mean objects designed, intended, or marketed for use with a candle. This specification prescribes minimum safety requirements for candle accessories to help ensure a reasonable degree of safety for normal use with candles. ASTM F2601-12 mandate is to improve personal safety through the reduction of fires, deaths, and injuries

The primary concern regarding candle holders is the possibility of a candle tipping over and starting a fire. ASTM F2601 (www.astm.org/Standards/F2601.htm) includes a test in which a candle and its holder must remain standing on a 10 degree incline to be acceptable. Other than this requirement for Stability Testing, the candles must also remain stable or stand upright without the aid of a holding device when subjected to a fire for the expected lifespan of its use.

Types of Candle Accessories Covered by ASTM F2601-12
ASTM F2601-12 targets three different types of candle accessories, namely rings, burners and holders. The tendency of rings and burners to support secondary ignition by breaking, cracking or allowing excessive flame heights to develop, is addressed by ASTM F2601-12.Other than secondary ignition, excessive flame height or end-of-useful life problems, any cracking or breakage in any part of a candle burner should be avoided. The new standard excludes the item known as a “candle follower” also referred to as “candle burner” from candle burners as specified in section 3.2.3.1.

Further Revisions to the Former Standard
A significant change within the revised version is the removal of the labelling option for differentiation. Thus all candle rings must now comply with the flammability requirements before submitting for testing. Moreover, there have been new definitions added for the terms non-combustible, candle holder, consumption rate and sustained flaming, while clarification has been added to define the consumption rate and an open cup flashpoint of tealight candles in accordance with Test Method D92.

A new requirement has been added for sample preparation of candle accessories designed to hold votives or tealights and diagrams are now present to demonstrate the position, flame height requirement and contact point of the heat source for flammability of candle rings or holders.
The revisions to ASTM F2601-12 serve to further improve personal safety and reduce fire hazards associated with candle accessories.

About SGS Houseware Services
SGS has published several news bulletins (www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Safeguards.aspx) on the safety of candles and candle accessories. The SGS experts will continue to monitor these issues and inform interested parties about requirements and standards for this and similar items.

Throughout their global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a wide range of services including but not limited to; analytical testing (www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Hardgoods/Home-Furni...) and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products and evaluation of candle and candle accessories in accordance with US and European standards.

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