Flammability and labelling requirements for tents

Note: The standard development activity of this Notice of Intent (originally published on April 16, 2024) was updated by the responsible SDO on July 23, 2024.

This standard applies to consumer tents for outdoor use (including tents intended for both indoor and outdoor use), such as camping tents, backpacking tents, suspended tents, teepees, children’s tents, tent trailers, ice-fishing tents, dining shelters, sun shelters and screen houses.

NOTE       Examples of children’s tents intended for outdoor use include, but are not limited to, youth camping tents, youth sun shelters and play tents that resemble a camping tent or other shelter.

This standard establishes performance requirements and test methods to evaluate the flammability of tent materials when exposed to a flame under three states (as received, after leaching and after weathering). Each fabric or other pliable tent material with a surface area greater than 1,000 cm2, based on a length by width measurement, is evaluated.

This standard also establishes labelling requirements for tents, including fire safety warnings and safe use instructions to mitigate the flammability risk.

Tent components or accessories made of fabric or other pliable material, and intended to be used with the tent, such as side panels, curtains, footprints (ground cloths), flies and gear lofts, whether sold with the tent or sold separately, are subject to the flammability requirements. Packaging (such as tent bags, pole bags or stake bags), threads, zippers, ropes, hook and loop fasteners, webbing and labels or logos with a surface area less than 1,000 cm2, based on a length by width measurement, are excluded from the requirements of this standard (refer to Annex A).

This standard does not apply to consumer tents intended for indoor use only, tents that are not intended to shelter people, tents used for commercial purposes only or tents subject to the National Building Code of Canada.

This Standard does not preclude or override any applicable regulatory or legal requirement.

The testing and evaluation of a product against this standard may require the use of materials and/or equipment that could be hazardous. This document does not purport to address all the safety aspects associated with its use. Anyone using this standard has the responsibility to consult the appropriate authorities and to establish appropriate health and safety practices in conjunction with any applicable regulatory requirements prior to its use.

Units of measure – Quantities and dimensions in this standard are given in SI units.