NIST Releases a New Standard Cigarette for Testing the Flammability of Mattresses and Furniture

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NIST Releases a New Standard Cigarette for Testing the Flammability of Mattresses and Furniture

A box of cigarettes is labeled: Standard Cigarette for Ignition Resistance Testing

In efforts to reduce the number of deaths from smoking-related fires, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new supply of a specially designed cigarette used as an ignition source for measuring the flammability of soft furnishings such as mattresses and upholstered furniture.

Even though the number of smokers in the U.S. has decreased over the years, fires started by smoking materials such as cigarettes and pipes remain the leading cause of fire deaths in homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, one out of every 31 smoking-related home fires in the U.S. results in death, and one out of every 20 home fires is started by smoking materials. More than 75% of smoking-related fire deaths are caused by fires that start in the living room or bedroom.

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