FMVSS 302 Automotive Testing

FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 302

FMVSS 302


Flammability of Interior Materials

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FMVSS 302 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302

Flammability of Interior Materials - 49 CFR 571.302

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302 (FMVSS 302) is commonly used to determine the burn resistance of materials used in the occupant compartments of motor vehicles.   This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses.

Which materials need to be tested in accordance with FMVSS 302?


Any portion of a single or composite material which is within 13 mm of the occupant compartment air space should be tested in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302.


Materials That Should Be Tested:

  • Seat Cushions
  • Seat Backs
  • Seat Belts
  • Headlining
  • Convertible Tops
  • Arm Rests
  • All Trim Panels (Door, Front, Rear, Side)
  • Compartment Shelves
  • Head Restraints
  • Floor Coverings
  • Sun Visors
  • Curtains
  • Shades
  • Wheel Housing Covers
  • Engine Compartment Covers
  • Mattress Covers
  • Padding
  • Crash-deployed Elements
  • Any Other Interior Materials
FMVSS 302 Automotive Interior Flammability

How is FMVSS 302 testing performed?

Specimens are mounted horizontally in a U-shaped frame with an interior exposed area of 51 mm x 330 mm (2 in. x 13 in.). The surface of the specimen that would typically be closest to the occupant compartment airspace faces downward in the test frame. A Bunsen burner with a 38 mm (1.5 in.) flame is positioned so that the center of the burner tip is 19 mm (0.75 in.) below the center of the open edge of the test specimen. The specimen is exposed to the burner flame for 15 seconds. Timing begins (without reference to the time of burner flame application) when the flame front reaches a point 38 mm (1.5 in.) from the open end of the specimen. The time is recorded until the flame front reaches the clamped end of the specimen. If the flame front does not reach the clamped end of the specimen, then time is recorded until the point where flaming stops.   

FMVSS 302 Sample Requirements


Each specimen shall be a rectangle 4" wide by 14" long, wherever possible. The thickness of the specimen is that of the single or composite material used in the vehicle, except that if the material’s thickness exceeds 13 mm, the specimen is cut down to 13mm thickness measured from the surface of the specimen closest to the occupant compartment air space.


Where it is not possible to obtain a flat specimen because of surface curvature, the specimen is cut to not more than 13 mm in thickness at any point. The maximum available length or width of a specimen is used where either dimension is less than 4" or 14" respectively.


Directional materials (grain, machine direction, non-isotropic) should cut in the direction that provides the most adverse test results. If the most adverse direction is not known, Capital Testing will test the material in each direction to determine which direction provides the most adverse test results. 

Which materials should be tested alone? 



Any material that does not adhere to other materials at every point of contact shall be tested separately.

Which materials should be tested as a composite?


Any material that adheres to other materials at every point of contact shall be tested as a composite with the other material(s). 

Pass / Fail Criteria


The material or composite shall not burn, nor transmit a flame front across its surface, at a rate of more than 4 inches per minute. If a material stops burning before it has burned for 60 seconds from the start of timing, and has not burned more than 2 inches from the point where the timing was started, it shall be considered to meet the burn-rate requirement.

FMVSS 302 Burner



Similar Test Methods:

  • CMVSS 302 (TSD-302)
  • ISO 3795
  • SAE J369
  • ASTM D5132-04

Is Capital Testing an accredited FMVSS 302 laboratory?


Capital Testing and Certification Services is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to conduct FMVSS 302 testing.  Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302 (CMVSS 302) is also covered under Capital Testing's scope of accreditation.  Click Here for Capital Testing's full ISO 17025 scope.


Contact chrisp@capitaltesting.org for more information about FMVSS 302 testing or request a quote today!

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