Carpet Smoke Density

Smoke odors from fire damage cigarette smoke or even burnt food can permeate every inch of your home especially your carpet furniture and rugs.

Carpet smoke density.

Equals density measured in ounces per cubic yard. Carpet rule 3. To measure carpet density the following formula is used. For commercial carpet the range starts around 4 000.

A smoke density value is determined. Smoke obscuration is measured in the smoke density chamber. 36 density x face weight pile height. Carpet face weight multiplied by 36 2.

The accumulation of smoke generated is measured by the attenuation of a light beam i e the amount of light transmitted through the smoke. You will note another number listed as weight density but that is not what we want. How to calculate carpet density. For additional safety many.

But we now know that is not what we want. Most jurisdictions require a smoke density rating of 450 or less. Smoke density is reported in terms of maximum optical density based on an arbitrary scale of zero to 800. Once smoke odors get trapped into the fibers of carpet and padding extracting the stench can be extremely difficult.

Density is the best specification to determine durability. Values determined by this test are specific to the specimen or assembly in the form and thickness tested and are not to be considered inherent fundamental properties of the material tested. Results are expressed in terms of specific optical density. You want a carpet density with a density of 2 900 for good durability and i d be cautious with anything less than 2 500 in moderate traffic rooms.

The result is expressed as a maximum specific optical density as determined by the amount and density of the smoke emitted. Divide by carpet pile height 3. The carpet and rug institute recommends a minimum carpet density of 5 000 ounces per cubic yard for carpets used in commercial environments e g department stores malls etc where heavy foot traffic can be expected. Two fire tests and smoke tests are required for a carpet to achieve fire classification under european standards.

Face weight does come into play when you are calculating density however. Inside this chamber a specimen is exposed to either radiant heat non flaming condition or radiant heat in combination with a pilot flame flaming condition. We can now use rule 2 to determine the face weight in ounces. The number you want should have a range somewhere between 2 000 and 10 000.

Density is often misconceived as a carpet s face weight but these two terms are completely different. 5 1 this test method provides a means for determining the specific optical density of the smoke generated by specimens of materials and assemblies under the specified exposure conditions. In order to determine identification characteristics various elements are measured such as total mass pile mass pile density total thickness pile thickness tuft number and backing thickness.