Safety Standards for Candles
Candle safety standards are important for the prevention of house fires. ASTM International (ASTM) has developed several candle safety standards that outline candle safety specifications for fire safety and labeling for candle manufacturers and users to refer to in order to prevent house fires.
According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), on average there are 42 home fires caused by candles reported every day. Also, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reported that fire departments responded to an estimated 11,640 home structure fires that were started by candles. These fires caused 126 deaths, 953 injuries, and $438 million in direct property damage. Potentially avoidable, candle safety standards do their part in reducing these numbers.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has previously worked with the ASTM International Subcommittee F15.45 for Candles and Candle Products to develop safety requirements that address fires associated with candles. The subcommittee has formed task groups that focus on specific issues, such as terminology, labeling, smoking, fire safety, wicks, and more, in order to develop voluntary standards.
ASTM F2417-17
Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles
1.1 This specification is intended to prescribe minimum safety requirements for candles and candle ensembles to provide a reasonable degree of safety for normal use with candles, thereby improving personal safety and reducing fires, deaths, and injuries. 1.2 This specification is not intended to replace other important safety practices that should be in place, such as adult supervision, close monitoring, fire detection, alarm or suppression systems, and use of candles away from combustible materials. 1.3 This specification is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. 1.4 This standard is used to predict or provide a quantitative measure of the fire hazard from a specified set of fire conditions involving specific materials, products, or assemblies. This assessment does not necessarily predict the hazard of actual fires which involve conditions other than those assumed in the analysis. 1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. 1.6 This specification states values in inch-pound units which are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parenthesis are for information only. 1.7 This specification does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F2601-18
Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories
1.1 This specification prescribes minimum safety requirements for candle accessories to help ensure a reasonable degree of safety for normal use with candles, thereby improving personal safety and reducing fires, deaths, and injuries. 1.2 This specification is not intended to replace other safety practices such as adult supervision, close monitoring of product when in use, and fire detection, alarm, or suppression systems. 1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F2058-07(2021)
Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling
1.1 This specification covers requirements for fire safety information to be placed on candle units of sale. It also includes requirements that retailers and distributors shall follow. It is not the intent of this specification to address any other labeling requirements. 2 1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
