LOW PEAK RATE OF HEAT RELEASE

Low peak rate of heat release

certification prograM

Capital Testing’s ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Low Peak Rate of Heat Release (Low Heat Release) certification program ensures your waste bins and laundry containers meet the highest standards of fire safety, providing both protection and peace of mind for your customers. In compliance with stringent U.S. safety regulations, this certification demonstrates that your containers are designed to minimize heat release during a fire, reducing the risk of fast-spreading flames. With Low Heat Release certification, your brand will stand out as a leader in fire safety, offering products that comply with stringent U.S. fire safety regulations.


Pursuing certification adds significant value to your products, making them more attractive to potential buyers and regulatory bodies alike. Certification can enhance your brand’s credibility, build consumer trust, and open doors to new markets that prioritize safety compliance, like hospitals, hotels, university dormitories, and apartment complexes. As safety standards continue to evolve and new fire code requirements are adopted by local authorities having jurisdiction, staying ahead of regulations and showcasing your commitment to innovation will keep your business at the forefront of the industry. Don’t just meet expectations—exceed them, and offer your customers a product they can rely on when it matters most.


Capital Testing's Low Heat Release certification program is based around demonstrating that your products are made with materials that meet a peak rate of heat release of 300 kW/m2 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m2 in the horizontal orientation when tested in a cone calorimeter per ASTM E1354. After reviewing your production process, raw material inputs, and product offerings, Capital Testing conducts an on-site initial inspection of your facility and collects samples of your product(s) for E1354 qualification testing at our in-house fire test lab.  If the results pass, you'll be authorized to label your products as Capital Testing Certified!  Continued certification just requires annual on-site inspections and semi-annual E1354 testing of your products. 


Capital Testing offers this certification program to manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada, with the potential for international services depending on the country. Contact us today for a quote!

Building code references

2018 North carolina fire protection code



section 304.4.2.3 - Combustible waste materials - containers

Effective July 1, 2022 in North Carolina, valet trash containers cannot exceed a capacity of 15 gallons and must be provided with tight-fitting or self-closing lids.  They must also be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials, or materials that meet a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 300 kW/m2 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m2 in the horizontal orientation.

2024 International fire code (IFC)


section 304.3 Containers


Appendix O

Valet Trash and Recycling Collection in Group R-2 OccupanciES


Section 318 - Laundry Carts

The 2024 IFC is a model code that regulates minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, and addresses fire prevention and fire protection, among other topics.  While not an enforceable code itself, it is typically adopted in the U.S. at the state and local levels "as written" unless there are locality-specific revisions needed.  From a practical standpoint, this means the IFC's content often becomes the rule-of-law when it comes to fire safety building requirements in the U.S. 

Section 304.3 requires a wide range of products to be made with noncombustible materials or else meet the 300 kw/m2 low peak rate of heat release limit as well, including:

  • waste and rubbish containers located within or near a structure
  • dumpsters with ≥200 gallon capacity in certain applications
  • waste and linen containers in ambulatory care facilities
  • waste containers with ≥20 gallon capacity in college and university dormitories

New in the 2024 IFC, Appendix O  sets non-mandatory provisions for valet trash collection in buildings like apartment complexes.  These provisions can easily be adopted in the future by state and local authorities having jurisdiction.  Included in these provisions is the specification that containers and lids used for valet trash collections be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials, or meet the 300 kw/m2 peak heat release rate requirement.


Section 318 requires that laundry carts with ≥200 gallon capacity used in the majority of settings (i.e. business, educational, factory, institutional, mercantile, and residential) must also be made with noncombustible or low heat release materials.


2024 National fire protection association (NFPA) 1 fire code (NFPA 1)


Section 19 - Combustible waste, refuse, and rubbish containers


Section 12 -Containers for Waste or Linen

Similar to the IFC, the NFPA 1 fire code advances fire and life safety for the public and first responders, as well as property protection. 

Section 19.2.1.2.1    requires nonmetallic  rubbish containers exceeding 40 gallon capacity to meet the 300 kw/m2 peak heat release rate limit.  It also requires the containers to be permanently labeled with the capacity and peak rate of heat release.

Section 12.6.8.1 requires waste and linen containers exceeding 20 gallon capacity to be provided with a lid, and be made from noncombustible or low heat release materials.

2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety code

section 10.3.8 - containers for waste or linen

the intent of the NFPA 101 life safety code is to protect people based on building construction, protection, and occupancy features that minimize the effects of fire and related hazards.

Section 10.3.8 contains specifications that mirror those in Section 12.6.8.1 of NFPA 1 for waste and linen contains: containers that exceed a 20 gallon capacity must be provided with a lid, and be made from noncombustible or low heat release materials.

2023 NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems

section A.5.2.7.2

NFPA 130 sets the requirements for fire protection and life safety in mass transit systems. 

Section A.5.2.7.2 contains specifications for rubbish containers used in rail stations on a temporary basis (e.g. cleaning operations).  These containers must be made from noncombustible or low heat release materials.

If you manufacture or source any of the affected products above and are looking for more information on certification, contact Josh Hosen at josh@capitaltesting.org.

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