Quality Control
Common U.S. and international testing references for hotel textile projects.
Testing references are organized by product end use so drapery, bedding, upholstery, shower curtain, outdoor, and panel applications can be checked against project documents, brand standards, laboratory guidance, and local authority requirements.
Standards
Reference matrix for hospitality and contract textile programs.
The tables below list commonly referenced U.S. and international test methods, flammability rules, industry guidelines, and product-performance standards for hotel textile discussion and submittal review. Final requirements should be confirmed against the project specification, brand standard, purchasing document, laboratory protocol, and authority having jurisdiction.
Common U.S. and International Textile Testing References
| Product / End Use | Primary Standard / Regulation / Guideline | How It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Drapery, sheer, blackout, and soft window treatments | NFPA 701 Method 1 or Method 2; ASTM D3691/D3691M; ASTM D4720 | NFPA 701 is the main flame-propagation reference for hanging textiles and films. Method 2 is typically used for vinyl-coated blackout lining, plastic films, heavier fabrics, and similar constructions. ASTM D3691/D3691M and D4720 support curtain, drapery, and soft-window-covering performance review. |
| Indoor upholstery, chair, sofa, banquette, and headboard fabrics | 16 CFR Part 1640 / California TB 117-2013; NFPA 260 / UFAC Class I; ASTM D3597; ASTM D4771; ASTM D3690 | Finished upholstered seating must address the federal upholstered-furniture flammability rule where applicable. NFPA 260 and UFAC Class I are cigarette-ignition component references for upholstery fabrics, vinyl, coated materials, and furniture covering materials when required by project, brand, or furniture specification. |
| Upholstered furniture assemblies for public areas | NFPA 261 or ASTM E1352; project or AHJ-specific full-assembly tests | Use when a hotel brand, public-area seating specification, local authority, or purchasing document asks for assembly-level cigarette ignition or related full-scale seating evaluation. This is not a blanket requirement for every fabric roll. |
| Bedspreads, coverlets, comforters, decorative bedding, and bed accessories | ASTM D4037; ASTM D4721; ASTM D6663; ASTM D4769 | Use the current ASTM home-furnishing references for bedspread fabrics, bedcovering/accessory evaluation, comforter/accessory products, and comforter fabrics. D6663 excludes pillows and window treatments, so pillow inserts and window products must be classified separately. |
| Sheeting and blanket programs | ASTM D5431; ASTM D5432 | Flat, fitted, and related sheeting products reference ASTM D5431. Blanket products reference ASTM D5432. Project laundering, dimensional-change, colorfastness, and hand/appearance criteria should be confirmed in the hotel specification. |
| Mattress pads, mattresses, and mattress sets when supplied | 16 CFR Part 1632; 16 CFR Part 1633 | Mattress pads are covered by the federal smoldering-ignition standard in 16 CFR 1632. Mattress sets must also meet the open-flame standard in 16 CFR 1633. These are separate from ordinary top-of-bed textiles and from upholstered furniture. |
| Shower curtains, fabric bath curtains, and PEVA/PVC liners | ASTM D5378; 16 CFR Part 1611 for applicable vinyl plastic film; NFPA 701 where specified | ASTM D5378 is the performance specification for woven and knitted shower curtains for institutional and household use. Unsupported vinyl plastic film liners may need 16 CFR 1611 review. NFPA 701 should be checked when the project treats the item as a hanging textile requiring flame-propagation testing. |
| Outdoor upholstery, cushion fabrics, sling, and casual furniture fabrics | ACT outdoor performance references; CFFA / buyer outdoor protocols; NFPA 260 / UFAC Class I / TB 117 only when specified by end use | Outdoor-only fabric requirements are usually driven by UV exposure, abrasion, crocking, seam slippage, water management, and project specifications. If the same cushion or seating component is used indoors or is specified as upholstered furniture, confirm 16 CFR 1640, TB 117, NFPA 260, or UFAC requirements. |
| Wrapped panels, upholstered walls, and adhered panels when supplied | ASTM E84 Class A / Class 1; NFPA 265 or NFPA 286 when required | These are interior-finish applications rather than standard drapery, bedding, or upholstery roll-goods applications. Add them only when the project scope includes adhered wallcovering, wrapped panels, or upholstered walls. |
Drapery / Sheer / Blackout Standards - Contract
| Characteristic | Test Method | Contract ACT Guidelines All Curtains |
|---|---|---|
| Curtain and Drapery Fabric Performance | ASTM D3691/D3691M | Reference for woven, lace, knit, foam-back, stitch-bonded, conventional-weight, and sheer curtain/drapery fabrics |
| Soft Window Covering Performance | ASTM D4720 | Reference for washable or dry-cleanable soft window coverings, lined or unlined |
| Breaking Strength | ASTM D5034 | |
| Bursting Strength | ASTM D3786 / D3787 | |
| Seam Slippage | ASTM D434 / Modified by D3597 | 25 lb - over 6 oz/sq.yd |
| Tear Strength | ASTM D2261 | |
| Dimensional Change to Laundering | AATCC 135 (5 launderings) | |
| Dimensional Change to Dry Cleaning | AATCC TM158 or project/lab-specified protocol | |
| Distortion of Yarn | ASTM D1336 | |
| Colorfastness to Laundering | AATCC 61 | |
| Colorfastness to Drycleaning | AATCC 132 | |
| Colorfastness to Burnt Gas | AATCC 23 (1 cycle) | |
| Colorfastness to Crocking | AATCC 8 (solid) / AATCC 116 (print) | Dry class 3 / wet class 3 |
| Colorfastness to Light | AATCC TM16.2 or TM16.3 (60 hours) | Class 4 |
| Colorfastness to Ozone | AATCC 129 (1 cycle) | |
| Fabric Appearance | AATCC 124 | |
| Retention of Hand, Character and Appearance | AATCC TM135 / AATCC TM158 | |
| Durability of Back Coating | AATCC TM135 / AATCC TM158 or project/lab-specified protocol | |
| Bond Strength for Bonded or Laminated Fabrics | ASTM D2724 | Use only where the construction is bonded, fused, or laminated |
| Flammability | NFPA 701 Method 1 or Method 2 | Pass; method selected by material weight, lining, coating, film, and project specification |
Bedding Standards - Institutional / Household References
| Characteristic | Test Method | Woven / Top-of-Bed Products | Knitted / Filled / Related Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedspread Fabric Performance | ASTM D4037 | Current ASTM home-furnishing reference | Use where bedspread fabric is specified |
| Bedcovering and Accessory Evaluation | ASTM D4721 | Machine-washable and dry-cleanable bedcoverings | Use for refurbishing and appearance review |
| Comforter and Accessory Products | ASTM D6663 | Comforters and accessories, excluding pillows and window treatments | Use for comforter/accessory products |
| Comforter Fabrics | ASTM D4769 | Woven and warp-knitted comforter fabrics | Use for comforter fabric specification |
| Sheeting Products | ASTM D5431 | Flat and fitted sheeting programs | Reference for institutional and household sheeting |
| Blanket Products | ASTM D5432 | Blanket programs | Reference for institutional and household blankets |
| Mattress Pads / Mattress Sets | 16 CFR 1632 / 16 CFR 1633 | Applies only if supplying mattress pads, mattresses, or mattress sets | Separate federal mattress rules, not ordinary bed-top textiles |
| Breaking Force | ASTM D5034 | 25 lbs | |
| Bursting Strength | ASTM D3786 or D3787 | 35 psi | |
| Pilling | ASTM D3512, 30-minute run time | Class 4.0 | Class 4.0 |
| Dimensional Change to Laundering and Drycleaning | AATCC TM135 / AATCC TM158; commercial-laundry protocol by buyer or laboratory | Tailored 3.5% max; throw 5.0% max | Tailored 5.0% max; throw 5.0% max |
| Refurbishing Appearance | AATCC TM135 / AATCC TM158; commercial-laundry protocol by buyer or laboratory | Poly/cotton SA 3.0; cotton SA 2.5 | Poly/cotton SA 3.0; cotton SA 2.5 |
| Bow & Skew | ASTM D3882 | Pattern print acceptable | Pattern print acceptable |
| Colorfastness to Laundering | AATCC 61 | Shade class 4 | Shade class 4 |
| Colorfastness to Drycleaning | AATCC 132 | Staining class 3; shade class 4.0 | Staining class 3; shade class 4.0 |
| Colorfastness to Crocking | AATCC 8 / AATCC 116 | Dry class 4.0 | Dry class 4.0 |
| Colorfastness to Light | AATCC TM16.2 or TM16.3 (20 hours) | Class 4.0 | Class 4.0 |
| Colorfastness to Perspiration | AATCC 15 | Shade class 4.0 | Shade class 4.0 |
| General Textile Flammability Reference | ASTM D1230 / project specification | Class 1 where specified | Not a substitute for 16 CFR 1632 / 1633 when a mattress pad, mattress, or mattress set is supplied |
Upholstery Standards - Contract
| Characteristic | Test Method | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Woven Upholstery Fabric Performance | ASTM D3597 | Reference for woven indoor upholstery fabrics |
| Knitted Upholstery Fabric Performance | ASTM D4771 | Reference for knitted indoor upholstery fabrics |
| Coated Upholstery Fabric Performance | ASTM D3690 | Reference for vinyl-coated and urethane-coated indoor upholstery fabrics |
| Woven / Knitted Upholstery Abrasion | ASTM D4157 / ASTM D4966 | 30,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs or 40,000 Martindale cycles for heavy duty; 15,000 double rubs or 20,000 Martindale cycles for general contract |
| Coated / Vinyl / PU Abrasion | ASTM D3389 | Use for coated upholstery materials when specified |
| Breaking Strength | ASTM D5034 | 50 lb |
| Colorfastness to Light | AATCC TM16.2 Option 1 or AATCC TM16.3 Option 3 | Class 4 at 40 hours |
| Elongation | ASTM D5034 | |
| Federal Upholstered-Furniture Flammability | 16 CFR Part 1640 / California TB 117-2013 Section 1 | Pass where applicable to finished upholstered seating |
| Flammability / Smolder Resistance | NFPA 260 / UFAC Class I / ASTM E1353 | Pass when required by project, brand, or furniture specification |
| Mock-Up Assembly Ignition | NFPA 261 / ASTM E1352 | Use when required by hotel brand, public-area seating specification, or AHJ |
| Pilling Resistance | ASTM D3511 / D4970 | Class 3 |
| Seam Slippage | ASTM D4034 | 25 lb |
| Tear Strength | ASTM D2261; ASTM D5587 for trapezoid tear where specified | |
| Wet & Dry Crocking | AATCC 8 | Wet 3 / dry 4 |
| Coating Adhesion | ASTM D751 | |
| Hydrolysis | ISO 1419:2019 Method C |
Outdoor / Casual Furniture Fabric Standards
| Characteristic | Test Method | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion | ASTM D4157 / D3884 | Acrylic 15,000 double rubs; olefin 9,000 double rubs; PVC 1,000 cycles; D3884 for rotary-platform abrasion where specified |
| Bow & Skew | ASTM D3882 | One inch accepted |
| Breaking Strength | ASTM D5034 | PVC and acrylic criteria by construction |
| Colorfastness to Light - Outdoor Protocol | ASTM G154, cycle 1 / CFFA or buyer outdoor protocol | PVC 1000 hrs class 4.0; acrylic 1500 hrs class 4.0; olefin 1200 hrs class 4.0 where specified |
| Colorfastness to Light - ACT Outdoor Reference | AATCC TM169 Option 3 or 4 / AATCC TM16.3 Option 3 | 1000 hours where specified |
| Flammability | Project specification; NFPA 260 / UFAC Class I / TB 117 where indoor or mixed-use seating applies | Confirm by final end use |
| Seam Slippage | ASTM D4034 | Cushion and slingable criteria by fiber |
| Tearing Strength | ASTM D2261 / ASTM D5587; ASTM D5733 only if required by buyer legacy protocol | Criteria by construction |
| Wet / Dry Crocking | AATCC 8 | PVC dry 5 / wet 5; acrylic and olefin dry 5 / wet 4 |
Printed and Solid Color Polyester Cloth
| Characteristic | Test Method | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion | ASTM D4157 | 15,000 double rubs |
| Bow & Skew | ASTM D3882 | One inch accepted |
| Breaking Strength | ASTM D5034 | 125 lb warp / 65 lb fill |
| Colorfastness to Light | ASTM G154, cycle 1 | 500 hours: 3.0 rating |
| Flammability | End-use specific: NFPA 701 for drapery/window treatment; NFPA 260 / TB 117 / UFAC for upholstery use | Confirm by product application |
| Pilling | ASTM D3512 | Class 3.0 after 30 minutes |
| Seam Slippage | ASTM D4034 | 25 lb warp / 25 lb fill |
| Spray Rating | AATCC 22 | Spray rating 80 |
| Tear Strength | ASTM D2261 | 6 lb warp / 6 lb fill |
| Wet / Dry Crocking | AATCC 8 | Dry 4 / wet 3 |