U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (Cigarette Ignition)
16 CFR Part 1632
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1632 Cigarette Ignition Test
Technical guide to CPSC 16 CFR Part 1632 cigarette ignition resistance standard, char length limits, and testing methodology.
Cigarette Smolder Standard
Direct answer summary
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1632 is the federal flammability standard governing cigarette ignition resistance of mattresses and mattress pads. The test places lighted standard reference cigarettes on the bare mattress surface, between tufts, and along tape edges, both with and without bed sheets. To pass, the resulting char length on the mattress surface must not exceed 2.0 inches in any direction, and no progressive smoldering may develop.
Key points
Mandates that char length must not exceed 2.0 inches in any direction from a burning cigarette.
Tests multiple surface configurations: bare ticking, sheeted, quilt crevices, and tape edges.
Operates as a companion standard alongside CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633 open flame testing.
Interactive example
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Verified Law Label
Interactive Visual Tool
Law Label & Material Audit
Inspect the physical law label tag, decode the state Uniform Registry Number (URN), and review certified material percentages under CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633.
What the law tag tells you
Uniform Law Label & Material Deconstruction
Under FTC 16 CFR Part 303 and IABFLO uniform law label standards, bedding manufacturers must disclose exact net filling weights using standardized generic fiber terms. Marketing buzzwords are prohibited under federal penalty.
▲ Sewn Into Seam (Tyvek Substrate) ▲
UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER
ALL NEW MATERIAL CONSISTING OF
POLYURETHANE FOAM PAD55%
RESIN-TREATED COTTON BATTING25%
RAYON FIBER / WOOL CHAR BARRIER20%
Net Filling Weight (Excluding Steel Springs)
Uniform Registry Number (Click to decode)
REG. NO. UT-12345 (FL)
Certification is made by the manufacturer that the materials in this article are described in accordance with law.
Manufacture Date:04/2026
Plant Facility:Tampa, FL
Legal Entity:Saatva Inc. / Bedding Industries of America (BIA)
16 CFR Part 1633 Prototype: STV-115-HYB-2026Inspect →
Physical Tag Dimensions: 2.75" × 3.75" (Meets IABFLO 2.5" × 3.0" min)
What the tag number means
REG. NO. UT-12345 (FL)
Issuing State
UT (Utah)
Registry Sequence
#12345
Plant Location
FL (Florida)
IABFLO 31-State Reciprocity: The issuing state (UT) participates in the Uniform Law Label system. This single registration permits lawful commercial distribution across all 31 regulated US bedding jurisdictions without duplicate state tags.
Specifications
Recorded specifications
Values and benchmarks recorded for this question.
| Specification | Measured value | Benchmark | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Char Length | < 2.0 Inches in Any Direction | Mandatory Ignition Ceiling | pass |
| Ignition Source | Standard Commercial Reference Cigarettes | Standardized Smolder Heat | pass |
| Smoldering Tolerance | Zero Progressive Smolder Allowed | Self-Extinguishing Standard | pass |
| Tested Surface Areas | Smooth, Tufted, Tape-Edge, & Sheeted | Comprehensive Coverage | pass |
Standards reference: Benchmarks derived from ASTM D3574 (flexible cellular foam), CPSC 16 CFR 1633 (open flame flammability), and clinical capillary closing thresholds (32.0 mmHg).
Checklist
Consumer Safety & Chemical Verification Protocol
Step-by-step physical inspection procedure for flame barrier integrity and law label compliance.
- 01
Verify Law Tag Compliance
Confirm the law tag cites compliance with 16 CFR Part 1632 and 16 CFR Part 1633.
Watch for: Never buy mattresses citing only Part 1632; modern federal law requires both.
- 02
Inspect Surface Rosettes
Examine button tufting or rosettes to verify dense, non-combustible thread construction.
Watch for: Do not smoke in bed or leave unattended hot irons or electric heating pads.
- 03
Check Protective Mattress Pads
Ensure any topper or pad added also complies with 16 CFR Part 1632.
Watch for: Avoid cheap untreated synthetic fleece toppers that easily ignite.
Sources
Sources for this answer
Read the source documents behind the thresholds, measurements, and policy details used here.
View source
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Smoldering Combustion Kinetics in Upholstered Furniture
NIST Research