4.3.3 After the specimen has been put in place on the carriage and fastened by means of the clamp, the brush is raised, the carriage pushed to the rear, and the brush lowered to the face of the specimen. The carriage is then drawn forward by hand at a uniform rate. 4.4 Dry cleaning.-A swatch from each sample as mentioned in paragraph 4.1.4 shall be subjected to the following dry-cleaning procedure. 4.4.1 Apparatus.-The apparatus is a cylinder, preferably metal, approximately 13 inches high and about 84 inches in diameter (capacity 3 gallons). The cylinder is mounted in a vertical position on an axis which is inclined 50° to the axis of the cylinder and is rotated about this axis at a speed of 45 to 50 revolutions per minute. 4.4.2 Cleaning procedure. The apparatus is filled approximately one-third with perchlorethylene to which is added 270 ml. of dry-cleaning soap. The swatches and sufficient suitable worsted cloth in pieces approximately 12 x 12 inches to make a total dry load of 1 pound are placed in the apparatus. It is operated for 25 minutes. The solution is poured out, the apparatus refilled to approximately one-third with fresh perchlortehylene without soap, and the apparatus is operated for an additional 5 minutes. This last operation is repeated 3 times. The swatches are then removed and the excess solvent removed from the swatches by any convenient means, such as rolling them between two layers of turkish toweling or between two layers of absorbent paper. They are then permitted to dry at room temperature. 4.5 Washing procedure.-The swatches, after being subjected to the drycleaning procedure (paragraph 4.4) shall then be immersed and worked gently for 5 minutes in a bath of soft water in which 0.5 percent neutral chip soap has been dissolved. The volume of the bath shall be 30 times the weight of the swatches, and the temperature shall be between 95° and 100° F. The swatches shall then be rinsed twice in water at 80° F., extracted and dried. The individual specimens, each 2 x 6 inches, are then cut out as described in paragraph 4.1.5 and tested as described in paragraphs 4.6 and 4.7. 4.6 Brushing and drying specimens.-Each specimen having a raised fiber surface, in its orginal condition or after dry cleaning and washing, is placed on the brushing device carriage (paragraph 4.3) and drawn under the brush once against the lay of the raised fiber surface (see Fig. 4). Other specimens do not require brushing. All specimens are clamped individually in the specimen holders of the flammability tester (par. 4.2.2.) with the staple on top and the stapled end at the closed end of the holder. They are then dried in a horizontal The soap shall be made by dissolving 56 g. of caustic potash (KOH) in 100 ml. of water. The potassium hydroxide solution shall be poured slowly with constant stirring into a mixture of 340 g. of oleic acid, 400 ml. of Stoddard Solvent (Commercial Standard CS3-40 grade), and 100 ml. of tertiary butyl alcohol or an equal quantity of butyl cellosolve. A suitable worsted test fabric known as Moth Test Cloth may be obtained from Testfabrics, Inc., P. O. Box 567, Plainfield, N. J. position in an oven for 30 minutes at 221° F. (105° C.), removed from the oven, and placed over anhydrous calcium chloride in a desiccator until cool, but for not less than 15 minutes. 4.7.1 Adjust the position of the rack of the flammability tester (paragraph 4.2) with a holder and trial specimen (not a prepared specimen) in position, so that the tip of the indicator finger touches the face of the specimen. 4.7.2 Open the control valve in the fuel supply. Allow approximately 5 minutes for the air to be drawn from the fuel line, ignite the gas, and adjust the flame to a length of % inch measured from its tip to the opening in the gas nozzle. 4.7.3 Remove the mounted specimen from the desiccator and place it in position on the rack in the chamber of the apparatus. 4.7.4 See that the stop cord (No. 50 cotton sewing thread) is strung through the guides in the upper place of the specimen holder across the top of the specimen and through the guides at the rear of the chamber over the guide ring, and the weight is hooked in place close to and just below the guide ring. Set the stopwatch at zero. Close the door of the apparatus. Conduct the test in a draft-free room with the apparatus at room temperature. 4.7.5 Bring the starting lever over to the extreme right and release it. This starts the timing mechanism and applies the flame to the specimen for a period of 1 second. This should be done within 45 seconds of the time the specimen was removed from the desiccator. Timing is automatic, starting upon application of the flame and ending when the weight is released by the burning of the stop cord. 4.7.6 Record the time of flame spread (reading of stopwatch) of each specimen and note whether the base of each specimen having a raised fiber surface is ignited or fused to a point where the damage is apparent from the bottom of the specimen. 4.7.7.1 Time of flame spread.-The time of flame spread of the textile is taken as an average time for 5 specimens. Results of tests of specimens before and after dry cleaning and washing shall be recorded and reported separately. If the time of flame spread is less than 4 seconds or if the specimens do not burn, test 5 additional specimens. The time of flame spread is then taken to be the average time for the 10 specimens or as many of them as burn. 4.7.7.2 Base fabric ignition or fusing.-Base fabric ignition or fusing of textiles having raised fiber surfaces shall be reported when the base fabric of more than 1 of the 5 (or 2 of the 10) specimens tested ignites or fuses. 4.7.8 Reporting results.-The reported results shall be the flammability before or after dry cleaning and washing, whichever is the lower, and, based on this result, the textile shall be placed in the proper classification as given in paragraph 3. 5. NOTES 5.1 The methods of test and classifications outlined herein agree with all essential requirements of the Standard Test Method for Flammability of Clothing Textiles of the American Association of Texile Chemists and Colorists. ACCEPTANCE OF COMMERCIAL STANDARD If acceptance has not previously been filed, this sheet properly filled in, signed, and returned will provide for the recording of your organization as an acceptor of this commercial standard. Date - COMMODITY STANDARDS DIVISION, Office of Industry and Commerce, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: We believe that Commercial Standard CS 191-53 constitutes a useful standard of practice and we individually plan to use it as far as practicable to insure the manufacture and sale of only those CLOTHING TEXTILES which are not dangerously flammable and with which we are directly concerned as a Fabric manufacturer.1 Purchaser.1 We reserve the right to depart from it as we deem advisable. We understand, of course, that only those articles which actually comply with the standard in all respects can be represented as conforming thereto. Signature of authorized officer-- (In ink) The following statements answer the usual questions arising in connection with the acceptance and its significance: 1. Enforcement.-Commercial standards are commodity specifications voluntarily established by mutual consent of those concerned. They present a common basis of understanding between the producer, distributor, and consumer and should not be confused with any plan of governmental regulation or control. The United States Department of Commerce has no regulatory power in the enforcement of their provisions; but, since they represent the will of the interested groups as a whole, their provisions through usage soon become established as trade customs and are made effective through incorporation into sales contracts by means of labels, invoices, and the like. 2. The acceptor's responsibility.—The purpose of commercial standards is to establish, for specific commodities, nationally recognized grades or consumer criteria, and the benefits therefrom will be measurable in direct proportion to their general recognition and actual use. Instances will occur when it may be necessary to deviate from the standard, and the signing of an acceptance does not preclude such departures; however, such signature indicates an intention to follow the commercial standard where practicable in the production, distribution, or consumption of the article in question. 3. The Department's responsibility. The major function performed by the Department of Commerce in the voluntary establishment of commercial standards on a nationwide basis is fourfold: First, to act as an unbiased coordinator to bring all interested parties together for the mutually satisfactory adjustment of trade standards; second, to supply such assistance and advise as past experience with similar programs may suggest; third, to canvass and record the extent of acceptance and adherence to the standard on the part of pro 1 Underscore which one. Please see that separate acceptances are filed for all subsidiary companies and affiliates which should be listed separately as acceptors. In the case of related interests, trade associations, trade papers, etc., desiring to record their general support, the words "General Support" should be added after the signature. ducers, distributors, and users; and fourth, after acceptance, to publish and promulgate the standard for the information and guidance of buyers and sellers of the commodity. 4. Announcement and promulgation.-When the standard has been endorsed by a satisfactory majority of production or consumption in the abense of active, valid opposition, the success of the project is announced. If, however, in the opinion of the standing committee or the Department of Commerce, the support of any standard is inadequate, the right is reserved to withhold promulgation and publication. The CHAIRMAN. At this point in the record we will insert the statement of Henry C. Ball, executive vice president of the Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association of Dalton, Ga. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT OF HENRY C. BALL, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TUFTED TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, my name is Henry C. Ball. I am the executive vice president of the Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association, Dalton, Ga. I want to express at this time the appreciation of our organization and its manufacturers for the privilege of being heard by this committee. The Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association is an organization of manufacturers who are finishers, and some of them are integrated, for the manufacturing of tufted robes, tufted carpets and rugs, and tufted bedspreads, draperies, vanity skirts, and other accessories. The Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association is divided into three segments and represents each branch of the tufted textile industry as described above. We are here today, however, to make a statement on tufted robes. The majority of the production of tufted products is represented by the Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association. The association is composed of 119 members and represents approximately 35,000 people directly and indirectly in the industry, or 18,000 people directly. The control of the organization is vested in the delegate members who are made up of persons designated by its membership. The policies and programs of the organization are adopted only upon approval of the majority of the delegate members. It is not necessary to dwell upon our desire to save lives or prevent injury to people. Naturally, all of us are interested in preventing needless death and suffering. This fact should be taken for granted. The Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association is not in favor of the manufacture or sale of articles of clothing which are inflammable to such a degree as to create abnormal danger to the wearer. The manufacturers of wearing apparel in the tufted textile industry and the buyers and ultimate consumer of tufted textile robes have never felt that tufted robes or wearing apparel as made in the tufted industry were unduly inflammable or abnormally inflammable. Since their origin and introduction on the market in approximately 1938, from 1939 through 1952, with the exception of the war years, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, over 53,889,649 robes were manufactured in the tufted textile industry, or an average of 5,388,965 per year. This represents 398,740 bales of cotton at 476 pounds each, used in the production of tufted robes. During the years of 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945 no figures on production are available. However, materials were allocated to the industry and some robes were manufactured. Millions of these very fine robes are in use today by the housewives, the teenagers, and children of all ages. The consumer has found tufted robes the answer to her all-purpose demand for a garment for warmth, durability, washability, and above all, at a moderate price to meet her requirements as a utility robe. The tufted robe today is the most commonly used robe in the popular-priced field. Since 1939 the industry has steadily improved the quality of the tufted robe and the method of production. In the past 3 or 4 years, the industry has spent millions of dollars and has revolutionized the tufted cotton robe entirely. Tufted robes in former years used 8/8-, 8/6-, and 6/8-, 6/6-ply yarns and the heavy tufts were sewn on the background in gages of 1⁄2 inch and 4 inch. Today the plied yarns used are 6/2, 8/3 and 8/4, or 8/2 and 8/3, and this yarn is sewn by large expensive yardage machines onto gray goods in rows of from %-, %-, 2-, to 316inch gage with a very short nap. This fabric, after it is completed and finished into tufted robes, is not dangerously inflammable. When the fabric is completed, it is very similar to those textiles known as corduroy and velvet. The Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association and its membership and the robe segment of the industry, whose members produce approximately 90 percent of all tufted robes manufactured, wish to here go on record in favor of Mr. Canfield's revised bill, H. R. 3851, introduced in the 83d Congress, 1st session, and Mr. Johnson's bill, H. R. 4159, introduced in the 83d Congress, 1st session. We urge the passage of these bills by Congress at an early date. The Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association's board of directors and the member manufacturer segment which produces tufted robes recommend and have approved the commercial standards promulgated by the Department of Commerce, United States Bureau of Standards, CS-191-53. We further recommend that if any change or modification of this standard is made, that it shall be developed under the same procedure and methods which were in affect and used in connection with the establishment of the Commercial Standard 191-53. We further recommend that this proposed act, should it become a law, not become effective until 12 months after the date of its passage, whereby retail and wholesale merchants and manufacturers who are not as fortunate as the tufted textile manufacturers in the robe segment of the tufted textile industry producing wearing apparel that will pass the United States Bureau of Standards flammability test CS-191-53, may have an opportunity to revise their method of production. We are pleased to include a statement from a prominent insurance company which possibly handles much or more fire insurance on tufted robe manufacturing plants than any other insurance company, and reads as follows: PRUDEN INSURANCE AGENCY, TUFTED TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, Dalton, Ga. GENTLEMEN: In regard to your query of today, this is to inform you that fire insurance rates for tufted textile wearing apparel are no higher than for other risks of the textile manufacturing industry. Yours very truly, CARL BERRY. Due to laws on flammability of wearing apparel which have already been passed by various States in the Union and proposed bills of flammable fabrics for wearing apparel before other State legislative bodies, the Tufted Textile Manufacturers believe it is better to have one Federal law and a uniform law, inasmuch as it would be almost impossible for any manufacturer to comply with different laws in different States on the same thing and would be more effective than any State laws. Therefore, we heartily recommend that the bill introduced by Mr. Canfield, H. R. 3851, and the bill introduced by Mr. Johnson, H. R. 4159, be passed. HENRY C. BALL, Tufted Textile Manufacturers Association. The CHAIRMAN. I think it would be well to announce at this time that I have a number of statements before me of witnesses who have not appeared, and also matter which it has been requested be inserted in the record. I shall make an examination of this material and rule later on the documents for insertion in the record. (The documents referred to follow :) CITY OF DAYTON, OHIO, DIVISION OF FIRE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, February 17, 1958. Hon. PAUL F. SCHENCK, Representative to Congress, Third District of Ohio, 127 House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: As chief of the Dayton, Ohio, Fire Department, it goes without saying that I am in accord with any legislation that will promote safety to our citizens and their property. I have studied H. R. 389 and conclude that it is sound |