Smolder Resistant Backcoating Technology for Upholstered Furniture Fabric

Abstract

PHOLSTEREO FURNITURE FIRES account for more deaths and property U damage than any other consumer product. Last year in the United States there were 25,000 residential fires in which the initial item ignited was upholstered furniture, primarily due to smoldering cigarettes. These fires resulted in 1,200 deaths and with property damage estimated a t $1 19 million. Both the furniture industry and the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) expected that a voluntary flammability program developed by the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) in 1978 would alleviate the problem of fires in upholstered furniture. This program incorporates a fabric classification system along with an engineered safety concept based on certain construction criteria for a finished furniture product. However, the results of extensive testing by CPSC of furniture built in compliance with the UFAC program indicated a high rate of failure and brought into question the effectiveness of the UFAC program. This has prompted discussions between CPSC and UFAC to effect improvements in current furniture flammability practices. At the same time, California has modified i ts flammability regulation on polyurethane cushioning to include a smolder requirement Further evaluation work i s underway in California which may lead to a flammability or smolder resistant standard for fabrics as well as to the possibility of a small scale composite testing requirement. Based on both CPSC concerns and the activities in California, it is evident that a more effective flammability standard for upholstered furniture will be forthcoming, be it voluntary or mandatory or under