(a) Flammability requirements for carpet used as floor covering.
(1) In institutional, health care, educational, and penal occupancies, carpet shall meet a minimum value of 0.45 watts per square centimeter in all corridors and exits. Carpet in all other areas shall meet a minimum value of 0.22 watts per square centimeter.
(2) Flammability requirements for carpet used as floor covering in all other occupancies shall meet a minimum value of 0.22 watts per square centimeter in all corridors and exits.
(3) Any pad used under the carpet shall meet the minimum class of the carpet installed.
(4) The values shall be determined by NFPA 253, Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems.
(b) Smoke generation properties of carpet used as floor covering.
(1) In all occupancies smoke generation shall not exceed a maximum value of Dm=450 (flaming mode).
(2) The value shall be determined by ASTIM E-662, Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generation by Solid Materials.
(3) All test data for determining the flammability and smoke properties of carpets shall be conducted by a nationally recognized laboratory as certified by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program.
(4) Where an approved, automatic sprinkler system is installed and all floors are non- combustible, Class II carpet is permitted in any location where Class I carpet is required. Where an approved automatic sprinkler system is installed and all floors are noncombustible and Class II carpet is permitted, no rating is required.