Every material inside a vehicle cabin - seat foam, headliner, carpet, trim - must burn slowly enough to let occupants escape. FMVSS 302 sets the method: a horizontal specimen in a U-frame is ignited at one end and the flame front is timed between two marks; the burn rate must not exceed 102 mm per minute under the rule (many vehicle makers set stricter in-house limits, and materials that do not ignite or self-extinguish are recorded accordingly). ISO 3795 is the international equivalent used across the industry.
How the Automotive Flammability Tester (FMVSS 302) works
The conditioned specimen is clamped in the horizontal frame inside the cabinet and the burner flame is applied to the free end for 15 seconds. The time for the flame to travel between the first and second measuring marks gives the burn rate; if the flame dies before the first mark or before 60 seconds and 51 mm, the material is recorded as not supporting combustion under the method's reporting rules.
Key specifications
| Standards | FMVSS 302; ISO 3795 (road vehicles burn behaviour) |
|---|---|
| Specimen arrangement | Horizontal specimen in a U-shaped frame inside a draught-free cabinet |
| Burner application | Flame applied to the specimen end for 15 s |
| Rule limit | Burn rate not more than 102 mm/min under FMVSS 302 (vehicle makers may impose tighter internal limits) |
What the test reports
- Burn rate (mm/min) between the measuring marks
- Non-ignition / self-extinguishing outcome where applicable
- Distance burned and time, as the method requires
Applications
Tier suppliers of foams, textiles, carpets and trim components run this compact tester for every material approval, and vehicle programmes audit supplier labs on it. It is the simplest instrument in this catalogue and one of the most frequently used.
Frequently asked questions
Which standard should I order against?
Order against the standard your reports must cite. The instrument platform is shared across the listed standards, but fixtures, software templates and calibration routines differ, so name the standard (and its year) in your inquiry and the configuration will be matched to it.
Can the instrument be installed in an existing laboratory?
Yes, in most cases. Tell us the available floor space, ceiling height, exhaust capacity and gas supplies in your inquiry; large systems such as the SBI and tunnel furnaces need a dedicated exhaust arrangement, which is confirmed in the layout proposal before ordering.
FMVSS 302 or ISO 3795 configuration?
The methods are closely related and the cabinet serves both; report formats differ slightly. Tell us which your customer PPAP documentation names.
What specimen preparation is needed?
Specimens are cut to the method dimensions and conditioned before test; materials that are composites are tested as used in the vehicle. Cutting dies can be included in the quotation if you need them.
Configuration, installation and support
Every Automotive Flammability Tester (FMVSS 302) is supplied as a configured system, not a bare instrument: the test chamber or frame, the burner or heater assemblies named in the method, the measurement chain and the control software with the report templates for FMVSS 302, ISO 3795. Before quotation we confirm the installation conditions with you - floor loading and ceiling height for large rigs, exhaust and extraction routes, gas and fuel services, and power supply - because a fire test instrument only produces defensible data when the room around it is right. Commissioning covers assembly, calibration of the measurement chain against the method's own checks, and training of your operators on running the test and maintaining the apparatus. Spare ignition parts, thermocouples and other consumables for the first period of operation can be included in the supply, and the instrument is supported with calibration and maintenance services after installation.
What to include in your inquiry
To quote the Automotive Flammability Tester (FMVSS 302) correctly the first time, send: the standard and edition you will test to (FMVSS 302, ISO 3795); the materials or products you will test and their sizes; the configuration options you already know you need; and the destination laboratory's location and available services. If you are building a new fire laboratory rather than adding one instrument, say so - this apparatus is often planned together with the other instruments in its category, and a combined layout and exhaust plan is cheaper than three separate ones.