TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STANDARD
SAFETY MATCHES - SPECIFICATION
(2nd Revision)
PCTTS 477:20XX
(Replaces TTS 477: 1994)
Copyright ©
This National Standard issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is copyright protected by the Standards Act No.
18 of 1997 and neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
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Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
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Phone: 662-TTBS E-MAIL: ttbs@ttbs.org.tt
Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.
PCTTS 477:20XX
ii
PCTTS 477:20XX
1.1.1
General statement
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (the Bureau) is a body corporate established under
the authority of the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997 (herein after referred to as the Standards Act).
In accordance with the Standards Act, the Bureau shall promote and encourage the development and
maintenance of standards and further shall establish standards for the following: to improve goods
produced or used in Trinidad and Tobago; to ensure industrial efficiency and development; to promote
public and industrial welfare, health and safety; and to protect the environment.
The Bureau develops standards through consultation with relevant interest groups, and public
comment is invited on all draft standards before they are declared as Trinidad and Tobago Standards
in accordance with the provisions of the Standards Act.
The Bureau is the legal custodian of Trinidad and Tobago Standard Marks, which are issued in
accordance with the Standards Act. When a Trinidad and Tobago Standard Mark appears on any
product, or in connection with any service, process or practice, it provides assurance that such a
product, service, process or practice conforms to a Trinidad and Tobago Standard.
The Bureau’s Standards Information Centre maintains a reference library of standards, including local,
regional and international standards and is the national node of the International Organization for
Standardization Information Network (ISONET). The Centre serves as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point
which disseminates information on standards and technical regulations as it relates to the World
Trade Organization, Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. It also acts as the sales agent for the
publications of foreign and international standards organizations.
NOTE
In order to keep abreast of progress in the industries concerned, Trinidad and Tobago Standards are
subject to periodic review. Suggestions for improvements are welcome.
iii
PCTTS 477:20XX
Committee
The Committee responsible for the formulation of this Trinidad and Tobago Standard is as follows:
SPECIFICATION COMMITTEE FOR MATCHES
Members
Representing
Mr Kester Siewlal
(Chairperson)
Chemical Products Laboratory, Trinidad and Tobago
Bureau of Standards
Ms Galya St. Clair-Douglas (Co-Chairperson)
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Mr Michael Baiz
Trinidad Match Limited
Ms Ramona Chuckaree
Network of Non-Governmental Organizations for the
advancement of women
Mr Ashton Cunningham
Mr Allister Agard
Fire Services of Trinidad and Tobago
Mrs Maria Doldron
Consumer Affairs Division, Ministry of Legal Affairs
Mr Robin Persad
Supermarkets’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Ms Carla Smith
Implementation Division, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau
of Standards
Mr Damien Surajbally
Certification Division, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of
Standards
Dr Sydney Thomas
Dr Dhurjati Charkrabarti
University of the West Indies
Ms Beverly Monroe
(Technical Secretary) Standardization Division,
Bureau of Standards
iv
Trinidad
and
Tobago
PCTTS 477:20XX
Contents
Committee ............................................................................................................................................. iv
Foreword ................................................................................................................................................ 1
1
Scope...................................................................................................................................................... 2
2
Normative reference ............................................................................................................................. 2
3
Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................... 2
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Visual inspection ................................................................................................................................... 4
General ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Book matches ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Match boxes .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Matches .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Dimensions of box matches ................................................................................................................ 5
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Performance requirements .................................................................................................................. 5
Match burning properties ..................................................................................................................... 6
Match splint ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Heat induced ignition ............................................................................................................................ 7
Friction surface ..................................................................................................................................... 7
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Requirements for splints used in the manufacture of wooden matches ........................................ 7
General requirements for splints ........................................................................................................ 7
Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Surface ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Strength ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Flame Height .......................................................................................................................................... 7
7
Labelling ................................................................................................................................................ 8
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
Testing.................................................................................................................................................... 9
Sampling ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Conditioning .......................................................................................................................................... 9
General ................................................................................................................................................... 9
Test specimens ................................................................................................................................... 10
Test conditions.................................................................................................................................... 10
Ignition procedure ............................................................................................................................... 10
Criteria for conformity ........................................................................................................................ 11
9
Specialty matches ............................................................................................................................... 12
10
Wax matches ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Annex
A.1
A.2
A.3
A.4
A.5
A.6
A (normative) Methods for testing matches and match splints ...................................................... 13
Striking performance .......................................................................................................................... 13
Afterglow test ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Heat induced ignition .......................................................................................................................... 15
Friction paint testing ........................................................................................................................... 15
Test for splint strength ....................................................................................................................... 15
Test for flame height ........................................................................................................................... 16
v
PCTTS 477:20XX
vi
CDTTS 477:20XX
Foreword
This specification was declared a Trinidad and Tobago Standard on __________, after the draft
finalized by the Specification Committee for Matches, had been approved by the Bureau.
This national standard supersedes TTS 477: 1994, Specification for Matches which was an
adaptation of the British Standard BS 3795:1990, Specification for matches. TTS 477:20XX is an
adaptation of the CARICOM Community Standard CCS 0045:1999 (Revised 2005), Specification for
safety matches.
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards has recommended that this standard be declared a
compulsory standard to protect consumer health and safety and the safety of the environment.
This revision will become effective as a compulsory standard on a date to be notified by the Minister
responsible for trade and industry in a notice to be published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, as
required by the Standards Act.
This standard was revised to address consumer complaints pertaining to defective matches in the
market place. This standard differs from the previous version as follows:
a)
Definitions have been reworded and additional definitions have been included for increased
clarity;
b)
The scope has been amended to exclude strike-anywhere matches, windproof and waterresistant matches. It applies to safety matches in boxes and booklets including samples and
specific requirements for specialty matches and wax matches;
c)
The severity levels and acceptance quality limits (AQLs) have been replaced with the percentage
of acceptable defects to indicate the criteria for conformity; and
d)
A comprehensive sampling plan has been introduced for the sampling matches.
This standard applies to manufacturers, importers and distributors of safety matches.
In formulating this standard considerable assistance was derived from the following standards which
were still current when this standard was being developed:
BS EN 1783:1997,
Matches – Performance requirements, safety and
a)
European Standard
classification;
b)
CARICOM Standard CCS 0045:1999, Specification for safety matches; and
c)
Indian Standard IS 2653: 2004, Safety matches in boxes – Specification.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
2
Scope
This standard specifies the requirements for the performance, sampling, packaging and labelling of
safety matches. It also prescribes the requirements for the purchase of match splints from suppliers.
This standard applies to matches packed in boxes for household and general use including book
matches.
The requirements also apply to product samples and specific requirements apply to specialty matches
and wax matches.
3
Normative reference
The following referenced document is indispensable for the application of this document. The latest
edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
International Organization for Standardization
ISO 2859-1, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes – Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection
4
Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
afterglow
visible signs of combustion in the match splint after the match has been struck and the flame
extinguished.
3.2
book match
rows of comb-like matches, with each row of matches having its base fixed within a cover where the
striking surface is located outside the cover
3.3
distorted heads
match heads which show pronounced abnormalities in shape or surface, especially those which carry
sharply defined peaks
3.4
doubles
two match heads linked together by their conjoined heads
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CDTTS 477:20XX
3.5
exploding head
shooting head
an ignited fragment of a match head that discharges during ignition
3.6
fractured heads
match heads in which the surface is broken or cracked
3.7
lot
materials of the same brand in a single consignment produced in the same manufacturing unit
3.8
match box
a container in the form of a box consisting of an outer case having a striking surface on both sides
and within that slides an inner tray for matches
3.9
match
match stick
a product, which comprises a splint tipped at one end with a head of composition that will ignite when
struck against a frictional surface
3.10
package
a unit consisting of a specified number of packets
3.11
packet
a smaller unit comprising a specified number of match boxes or book matches
3.12
safety match
a match which is designed so that it will not readily ignite unless brought into contact with a frictional
surface specially designed to cause ignition
3.13
splint
a rigid stick of combustible material providing support during ignition of a match and the fuel for its
continued burning
3.14
Specialty matches
matches manufactured for an organization for a specific purpose
EXAMPLE
For purposes of advertising and promotion
3
CDTTS 477:20XX
5
Visual inspection
5.1 General
4.1.1 The number of matches in a match box shall correspond with the declared contents to within
 12.5 % for individual containers.
4.1.2 All matches shall be completely within the container and no more than 5% of the match sticks
shall be arranged other than in one direction within the inner tray of the box as applied to packing by
automated manufacturing systems.
4.1.3
5.2
The contents shall be retained when the closed container is oriented in any direction.
Book matches
4.2.1 The matches shall be enclosed by a cover and indented near the base to facilitate ease of
detachment.
4.2.2 The cover of book matches shall be wide enough to enclose all the matches in the book with
an allowance of at least 1.5mm on either side. It shall be long enough so that the cover opening
edges can be inserted at least 4 mm beneath the outer edge.
4.2.3 The friction surface shall be located near the base on the outer surface of the cover and shall
be capable of igniting all of the contents of the book.
4.2.4 Book matches shall have splints not less than 35mm in length without the base and 45 mm
with the base.
4.2.5
5.3
The composite width of 10 splints shall be not less than 30 mm.
Match boxes
4.3.1
Match boxes shall be of good workmanship and shall be free from the following defects:
a)
crushed, broken or torn boxes;
b)
loosely fitted boxes;
c)
twisted or swollen boxes; and
d)
poorly fitted tray exposing match heads.
4.3.2 Match boxes shall have a uniformly distributed striking surface, none of which shall be
present on the inside where contact with the match heads can occur.
4.3.3
The friction surface shall terminate at least 2mm from each edge of the shorter side of the box.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
5.4
Matches
5.4.1
Splints
4.4.1.1
Splints used for making matches shall be uniform, smooth, well-polished and
substantially free from bristles, splits, tears, cracks or fractures along their length.
4.4.1.2
5.4.2
Splints shall be free from fungal and bacterial growth.
Head
4.4.2.1
splint.
All matches shall have a head of ignitable material uniformly applied to the end of the
4.4.2.2
doubles
Match sticks shall be free from distorted heads, fractured heads and shall not form
5.5
Dimensions of box matches
4.5.1
Match sticks shall be constructed within the following dimensional limits:
a)
Length: (40  2) mm;
b)
Width: (1.90 ± 0.10) mm; and
c)
Thickness (1.90 ± 0.10) mm.
d)
The minimum length of the match head, measured down the stem from the tip to the skirt of the
match head shall conform to the formula:
1.5 X where X = edge length of cross-section of the stem
4.5.2
6
The variation between the lengths of matches within the same box shall not exceed 2 mm.
Performance requirements
When tested in accordance with the methods outlined in Annex A and Clause 8.0, safety matches
shall comply with the following performance requirements.
5
CDTTS 477:20XX
6.1
Match burning properties
6.1.1 Matches shall ignite without delay and no more than one shall fail to ignite when struck in a
draught-free environment.
6.1.2 No more than 1% of the match heads shall show fragmentation or detachment of head from
splint during ignition.
6.1.3
No more than 5% of the match heads shall explode or drop hot ash during ignition.
6.1.4
Following ignition, the flame shall transfer from head to splint to at least one-third of its length.
NOTE
This requirement is applicable to matches that are held in a downward position at approximately a
forty-five degree angle in a draught-free environment.
5.1.5 When tested as described in A6, the flame observed between 3s and 10s after striking shall
reach a height of at least 10mm. The flame shall burn for at least 10s, or if the match is less than
40mm long for at least 6s.
5.1.6 No more than 2% of the matches shall exhibit afterglow other than a pin point glow beneath
the head after the flames have been extinguished and a period of 3 s has elapsed. (see Annex A.2)
6.2
6.2.1
5.2.2
Match splint
No more than 5% of the matches tested shall show breakage or fracture of the splints.
Splints used for making matches shall exhibit durability according to clause 6.4
6
CDTTS 477:20XX
6.3
Heat induced ignition
Matches shall not ignite spontaneously when placed in a heated atmosphere of 120± 2oC for 15
minutes.
6.4
Friction surface
6.4.1 After a drop of water is applied to the friction paint for 20 s, then wiped with a dry tissue, there
shall be no removal of the friction surface sufficient to expose the underlying surface of the box.
6.4.2 The friction surface of a match container shall be capable of igniting all of its contents on one
side of the box or on the available surface for book matches.
7
Requirements for splints used in the manufacture of wooden matches
7.1
General requirements for splints
7.1.1 The splints of box matches shall be of wood impregnated with environmentally safe chemicals
to prevent afterglow when flames are extinguished.
7.1.2 The splints of book matches shall be of wood or any suitable material impregnated with
chemicals to prevent afterglow when a flame is extinguished.
7.2
Dimensions
Splints shall conform to 4.5.1.1 a) to c).
7.3
Surface
7.3.1
Splints shall conform to 4.4.1
7.3.2
No more than 2% of splints examined shall show any splits or cracks along its length.
7.4
Strength
No more than 2% of the splints undergoing the strength test in A.5 shall break when an impact of
12mJ is applied.
7.5
Flame Height
When tested as described in A.6, the flame observed between 3s and 10s after striking shall reach a
height of at least 10mm. The flame shall burn for at least 10s, or, if the match is less than 40mm long
for at least 6s.
7
CDTTS 477:20XX
8
7.1
Labelling
The match box shall be labelled with the following information:
a)
brand name;
b)
name of the product ;
EXAMPLE
safety matches
c)
name and address of manufacturer, importer or distributor;
d)
country of origin using either of the following phrases:
1)
made in; or
2)
product of.
e)
average number of splints per box or book;
f)
the following cautionary statements or equivalent internationally accepted symbols approved by
the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards:
g)
1)
Close box before striking; and
2)
Keep out of the reach of children and open flames.
conditions for storage of the product
EXAMPLE
store in a cool and dry place away from open flames
7.2 Only matches which do not ignite when tested according to A.1.5 shall be labelled safety
matches
7.4
Book matches shall conform to the labelling requirements outlined in 7.1 a), c) and f).
8
CDTTS 477:20XX
9
9.1
Testing
Sampling
9.1.1 The number of packages to be selected from a lot shall depend on the size of the lot and shall
be in accordance with ISO 2859-1 and Table 1.
Table 1 — Sampling of packages from a lot
Lot size
Number of packages selected
packages
3 to 25
3
26 to 50
4
51 to 100
5
101 to 150
6
151 and above
7
9.1.2 The number of packets selected from a package shall depend on the size of the carton and
shall be in accordance with Table 2.
Table 2 — Sampling of packets from a package
Number of packets in package
Number of packets selected
10
3
50
4
100
5
9.1.3 From each packet, select at random two match boxes or book matches. The total number of
boxes or books constitutes a sample.
9.2
Conditioning
Samples shall be maintained at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 65 ± 2% for not
less than 24 hours prior to testing.
9.3
General
Tests shall be conducted as outlined in Annex A.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
9.4
Test specimens
The number of specimens used in each test shall be in accordance with Table 3.
Table 3 — Selection of test specimens
Test method
Minimum number of specimen
Match burning properties
200 matches
Afterglow
100 matches
Heat induced ignition
20 matches
Friction paint surface
4 match boxes
Average count
12 match boxes
Visual examination
200 matches
Splint strength
250 matches
Flame height
10 matches
9.5
Test conditions
Testing shall be conducted in a draught-free atmosphere.
NOTE
9.6
The operator should wear protective clothing during all tests that require the striking of matches.
Ignition procedure
8.6.1 The box shall be held so that the friction surface is at right angles to the body in accordance
with Figure 1.
8.6.2 The match shall be positioned at a connecting angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal
surface of the friction paint.
8.6.3 The match shall be struck along the friction surface in a direction away from the body and with
an upward sweep, using the minimum pressure necessary to secure ignition.
8.6.4 For observation of match burning performance, splints shall be held in a horizontal position
after striking and allowed to burn at least two-thirds its length.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
Figure 1 — Method of striking matches
9.7
Criteria for conformity
The batch shall be considered satisfactory if the sample satisfies the requirements as outlined in
Table 4.
Table 4 — Criteria for conformity
Test
Maximum acceptable defectives
%
Non-ignition/delayed ignition
2
Fragmented/detached heads
1
Exploding heads/hot ash
5
Transfer of flame
5
Flame height
5
Splints which break when struck
5
Afterglow
2
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CDTTS 477:20XX
Heat induced ignition
0
Friction paint wearing
0
Friction paint ignition
0
Splint - splits/cracks
2
10 Specialty matches
Specialty matches shall conform to all performance requirements outlined in 5 and the labelling
requirements outlined in 7.1 a), c) and f).
11 Wax matches
Wax matches shall conform to all labelling requirements outlined in 7.1.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
Annex A
(normative)
Methods for testing matches and match splints
A.1 Striking performance
A.1.1 Aim
To determine any dangerous burning properties and splint breakage during striking.
A.1.2 Apparatus
Clean sheet of white paper and stopwatch which is accurate to 1 s.
A.1.3 Procedure
A.1.3.1
Select sufficient match boxes from the conditioned sample to provide a test specimen of
not less than 200 matches, taking no more than 5 matches from each box.
A.1.3.2
Place the sheet of white paper on the surface over which the matches are to be struck.
A.1.3.3
Using the method of striking matches in 7.3.4, strike all matches, observe and record any
of the following defects:
a)
delay in ignition or non-ignition;
b)
fragmentation or detachment of head;
c)
explosion of match head;
d)
dropping of hot ash;
e)
transfer of flame from head to splint; and
f)
splints which break or fracture.
NOTE
Splints which break during striking should be replaced by the same number of matches to ensure a
specimen of 200 matches for the test burning property.
A.1.4 Book matches
For book matches, ensure that the match is struck in the orientation most likely to cause failure.
A.1.5 Test for safety matches
13
CDTTS 477:20XX
Strike the matches on a supported fresh sheet of grade P80 waterproof silicon carbide paper and
record whether ignition can be initiated.
A.2 Afterglow test
A.2.1 Aim
To determine if splints have been properly treated to prevent afterglow.
A.2.2 Apparatus
Perforated metal plate (see Figure A.1).
Figure A.1 — Perforated metal plate
A.2.3 Procedure
A.2.3.1
Insert the bases of 100 matches, randomly selected from the conditioned samples, into
the holes of the metal plate.
A.2.3.2
Ignite the taper and apply the flame to the outside row of the matches.
A.2.3.3
Tilt the plate so as to ignite all the matches as quickly as possible.
A.2.3.4
Allow the splints to burn completely until the flame dies out.
14
CDTTS 477:20XX
A.2.3.5
Start the stopwatch simultaneously and after 3 s, record any afterglow, ignoring any
pinpoint glow immediately beneath the head.
A.3 Heat induced ignition
A.3.1 Aim
To determine whether matches will ignite spontaneously in a heated atmosphere.
A.3.2 Apparatus
Metal plate to hold matches vertically 10 mm apart and an air circulating oven.
A.3.3 Procedure
A.3.3.1
Insert 20 matches randomly selected in the metal plate with heads pointing upwards.
A.3.3.2
its base.
For book matches, a length of comb containing 12 matches shall be suitably supported at
A.3.3.3
Place in the oven maintained at 120 °C ± 2 °C and leave for 15 min.
A.3.3.4
After the time has elapsed, remove from the oven and record the number of matches, if
any, which ignited.
A.4 Friction paint testing
A.4.1 Aim
To determine the efficiency of the striking surface and the likelihood of ignition during striking.
A.4.2 Procedure
A.4.2.1
Select four full match boxes from the conditioned sample.
A.4.2.2
Using the method of striking matches in 4.3.3.2, strike all the matches in each box on
only one side of the box.
A.4.2.3
Observe and record whether all the matches were successfully ignited. Also report
whether any of the friction surfaces ignited during striking.
A.5 Test for splint strength
A.5.1 Aim
To assess the strength of splints supplied for the production of matches.
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CDTTS 477:20XX
A.5.2 Procedure
A.5.2.1
Using a suitable mechanical strength tester based on the falling weight method, randomly
select 100 matches from the batch and subject to an impact of 12 mJ.
A.5.2.3
Observe and record the number of splints which fracture or break during this procedure.
A.6 Test for flame height
A.6.1 Aim
To assess flame height achieved during the burning of match splints.
A.6.2 Procedure
A.6.2.1 Hold the match in position by inserting the stem 5 mm into a metal tube clamped in the
horizontal position.
A.6.2.2 Position the match 25 mm ± 3 mm away from a vertical plane mirrored plate scribed with
two horizontal lines separated by 10 mm.
A.6.2.3
Adjust the height of the plate so that the upper surface of the match splint, its mirror
image and the lower line are all coincident.
A.6.2.4
Ignite the match by touching the tip of the head with a heated soldering iron. At the same
time start a stop watch.
A.6.2.5
Observe the flame carefully during the period between 3 s and 10 s from ignition and
record whether the flame does not exceed 10 mm in height. This is indicated if the tip of the flame
does not cross the upper of the two lines scribed on the mirrored plate.
A.6.2.6
At all times during the observation of the flame ensure that the stem, its mirror image and
the bottom line remain coincident in order to prevent parallax errors.
A.6.2.7
Record whether the flame does not remain alight for 10 s. If the match is less than 40 mm
in length, record whether the flame does not remain alight for 6 s.
NOTE
Alternative arrangements for measurement of flame height are acceptable, provided adequate
arrangements to prevent parallax errors are incorporated.
End of Document
16