U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets
16 CFR Part 1633
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633 Open Flame Test Explained
Technical breakdown of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633 30-minute calorimeter open flame mattress flammability testing.
Federal Flammability Law
Direct answer summary
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633 is the mandatory federal open-flame flammability standard for mattress sets, enacted in 2007. It subjects a mattress set to two large propane T-burners: a top burner (18 kW for 70 seconds) and a side burner (9 kW for 50 seconds). To pass, the mattress set must not exceed a peak heat release rate of 200 kW during the 30-minute test, nor release more than 15 MJ of total heat in the first 10 minutes.
Key points
Mandates peak heat release rate (HRR) must not exceed 200 kW across 30 minutes.
Total heat release in the first 10 minutes must not exceed 15 MJ to prevent flashover.
Requires every production mattress to reference a tested, compliant prototype ID on its law tag.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Heat Release Rate (HRR) | < 200 kW Maximum Limit | Mandatory Pass Ceiling | pass |
| 10-Minute Total Heat Release | < 15 MJ Maximum Limit | Prevents Room Flashover | pass |
| Top Burner Thermal Exposure | 18 kW Propane for 70 Seconds | Severe Flame Exposure | pass |
| Side Burner Thermal Exposure | 9 kW Propane for 50 Seconds | Perimeter Flammability Test | 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
Check Prototype ID on Law Tag
Confirm a valid flammability prototype identifier is printed on the statutory label.
Watch for: Never purchase a mattress lacking a verifiable 16 CFR Part 1633 prototype code.
- 02
Verify Foundation Pairing
Ensure the foundation used matches the tested prototype configuration.
Watch for: Pairing a mattress with an unapproved box spring can violate flammability safety.
- 03
Inspect Charring Barrier
Confirm the fire barrier covers all 6 sides including corners and tape seams.
Watch for: Do not puncture ticking with needles, safety pins, or upholstery tacks.
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)
Mattress Flammability Test Protocol Documentation
NIST Technical Note 1446