Understanding Docket 90-A
90-A DOCKET
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a branch called the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) who makes recommendations for mass transit vehicles. The recommendations set forth by the FTA are not regulatory in nature, but are merely voluntary test procedures intended to be used to assess the fire risk of certain materials.
The recommendations in Docket 90-A primarily deal with flammability and smoke emission characteristics of transit bus and van materials. The FTA states that the major concern with materials being used in mass transit are smoke emission performance criteria and material (KYDEX® behavior during ignition for those materials 6200 is a material primarily based for use in a mass transit vehicle that would primarily be used for shrouding on a seat or to protect the frame of the seat). In Docket 90-A there are two tests used to determine acceptability of a material for mass transit use; ASTM E-162 and ASTM E-662.
ASTM E-162 is a testing method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat KYDEX® Energy Source, also known as the Radiant Panel test. 6200 does not exhibit any flaming running or flaming dripping and meets the requirements of Docket 90-A by having a maximum flame spread index no greater than 35.
ASTM E-662 is a testing method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials. Optical density (Ds) readings are taken at 1.5 minutes into the test and at 4 minutes. To meet the requirements of Docket 90-A the maximum average Ds at 1.5 minutes may be no greater than 100 and the maximum average Ds at 4 minutes may be no greater than 200. KYDEX® 6200 meets the optical density requirements for the ASTM E-662 test as well.
| Docket 90-A | ||
|---|---|---|
| Test Procedure | Performance Criteria | KYDEX® 6200 Performance |
| ASTM E-162 | Is < 35 | Pass |
| ASTM E-662 | Ds (1.5) < 100; Ds(4) < 200 | Pass |
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