CPAI-84: Flammability Standards for North American Tents

If you manufacture, import, or sell outdoor shelters in North America, complying with flammability standards is not optional—it is a legal necessity. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the CPAI-84 standard, integrating the specific enforcement requirements of US State Fire Marshals and the strict federal regulations of Health Canada.

This content incorporates official guidelines from the Hazardous Products (Tents) Regulations of Canada.

What is the CPAI-84 Standard?

CPAI-84 (A Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in Camping Tentage) is a performance standard that evaluates the flammability of materials used in tents. It was originally developed by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).

The standard’s primary goal is to prevent tents from becoming fire traps. It requires that materials used in tent construction must be flame-resistant (FR) so that if they accidentally catch fire (e.g., from a cooking stove or lantern), the fire will not spread rapidly, giving occupants time to escape.

CPAI-84 Legislation and Enforcement: US vs. Canada

Understanding the legal landscape is critical, as CPAI-84 enforcement differs across the border.

United States Regulations

In the United States, CPAI-84 is technically a voluntary industry standard at the federal level for general camping tents. However, it has been adopted as mandatory law by several key states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Furthermore, major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Costco, REI) mandate CPAI-84 compliance for all tents sold on their platforms nationwide to mitigate liability.

Canadian Regulations (Federal Law)

In Canada, compliance is strictly enforced at the federal level under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and the Hazardous Products (Tents) Regulations.

Crucial Distinction: The Canadian regulations reference the 1980 version of CPAI-84. This creates a technical conflict with the modern 1995 version used by many labs. A product that passes the 1995 standard may fail the Canadian requirements if specific exemptions (like those for mesh) are used.

Official Source: Health Canada: Industry Guide to Canadian Requirements for Tents

Scope of Application for CPAI-84 Compliance

Determining whether your product requires CPAI-84 testing depends on its definition under the law. Below is the detailed classification.

Products Requiring CPAI-84 Compliance

Any shelter made in whole or in part of fabric or pliable materials intended for outdoor use falls under this category:

• Camping tents and Backpacking tents
• Dining shelters and Screen Houses
• Portable Gazebos
• Hunting blinds and Ice-fishing tents
• Play tents and Teepees (Children’s products are highly scrutinized)

Products Excluded from CPAI-84

The following items are generally exempt from CPAI-84 or are subject to different standards (such as NFPA 701 or building codes):

• Air-supported structures
• Awnings (attached to buildings)
• Large Commercial Event Tents (Subject to NFPA 701)
• Tarpaulins (Tarps) and Temporary car shelters

CPAI-84 Technical Testing Protocols (The Dual System)

CPAI-84 mandates separate testing procedures for the “Wall/Top” and the “Flooring.” Compliance is assessed on the finished product, meaning materials should be tested with all coatings and finishes applied.

1. Wall and Top Materials (Vertical Test)

Test Method: Vertical Flammability Test.

Specimen Requirements: A total of 24 specimens are required (Original, Leached, and Weathered states).

Pass/Fail Criteria: A sample unit fails if ANY of the following occur:

• After-flame time: An individual specimen exceeds 4 seconds.
• Average After-flame: The average of the sample unit exceeds 2 seconds.
• Drip Residue: Portions break or drip from the specimen and continue to flame after reaching the floor of the test cabinet.
• Damaged Length: The damaged length exceeds the maximums allowed based on the fabric weight (see table below).

Table: Maximum Allowable Damaged Length under CPAI-84

Weight of Material (g/m²)	Max Average Damaged Length (mm)	Max Individual Damaged Length (mm)
> 340	115	255
270 – 340	140	255
200 – 270	165	255
135 – 200	190	255
50 – 135	215	255
≤ 50	230	255

2. Flooring Materials (Pill Test)

Test Method: Methenamine Pill Test (similar to ASTM D2859).

Specimen Requirements: A total of 12 specimens are required (Original, Leached, and Weathered states).

Pass/Fail Criteria: A sample fails if the damaged area extends to within 25 mm of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame.

Critical Pre-Treatment: Leaching and Weathering

Materials must pass CPAI-84 testing not just when new, but after simulated use.

• Leaching (Rain Simulation): Samples are submerged in circulating water for 72 hours. This ensures FR chemicals do not wash off.
• Weathering (UV Simulation): Samples are exposed to accelerated aging (Carbon Arc, Xenon, or Fluorescent UV). This ensures the sun does not degrade the FR properties.

Mandatory CPAI-84 Labeling Requirements

For the Canadian and US markets, proper labeling is a strict legal requirement. Labels must be bilingual (English and French) for Canada, permanently affixed, and clearly legible.

The Core Warning Statement

The following text must appear on the product label in upper-case letters not less than 3 mm in height:

WARNING: KEEP ALL FLAME AND HEAT SOURCES AWAY FROM THIS TENT FABRIC
MISE EN GARDE : TENIR LE TISSU DE CETTE TENTE LOIN DE TOUTE FLAMME ET DE TOUTE SOURCE DE CHALEUR

The Performance Statement

The label must also clarify that the tent is flame-resistant, not fireproof:

This tent is made of flame-resistant fabric. It is not fireproof. The fabric will burn if left in continuous contact with a flame source.
Cette tente est fabriquée d’un tissu résistant au feu, mais qui n’est pas ininflammable. Ce tissu brûlera s’il est laissé en contact continu avec une source d’inflammation.

The Precautionary List

Additionally, manufacturers must include a detailed list of precautions (as per Schedule I of the Regulations), such as “Do not cook inside a tent” and “Do not refuel lamps inside.” Consult the official Health Canada guide for the complete required text.

Expert Recommended Fabric Selection Strategy for CPAI-84

Passing CPAI-84 requires selecting the right base materials and coatings before manufacturing starts. Here is an expert strategy for sourcing compliant materials.

1. Strategy for Wall & Top Fabrics

Material: 190T / 210T Polyester or Nylon.

Expert Tip: Standard PU coating will burn. You must specify “CPAI-84 Compliant FR-PU Coating.” Ensure the supplier adds sufficient FR additives (Flame Retardants) to the liquid polyurethane before coating.
Warning: If using “Silver Coating” (for UV protection), you must use a specialized FR-Silver formula. Ordinary silver paste is highly flammable and often fails the Weathering test.

2. Strategy for Mesh / Netting

Material: B3 or B4 Polyester Mesh.

Expert Tip: Do not assume mesh is exempt (especially for Canada). You must source FR-treated Polyester Mesh. Since mesh has very low mass, it burns instantly if untreated. The FR treatment is usually added during the dyeing process (Dip Finish).

3. Strategy for Flooring

Material: PE (Polyethylene) Woven Fabric.

Expert Tip: This is the most common failure point for budget tents. Standard PE tarps are combustible. You must explicitly order FR-PE (Flame Retardant Polyethylene). The FR masterbatch must be mixed into the plastic pellets during the extrusion of the yarn.

FAQ: Common Questions About CPAI-84 Compliance