The furniture with which we fill our homes and offices, the carpets, curtains and wallcoverings that we use to personalise our space, all rely on completely different materials from those that previous generations used.

The majority of lethal domestic fires have been shown to start in sofas, armchairs and beds

These foams are far more practical, more cost effective and offer numerous other advantages. The fillings are light, hard-wearing and suitable for moulding into virtually any shape desired. Unlike fibres, they retain their shape – and comfort – throughout their lifecycle, without sagging or the need to be re-stuffed. Nor do these foams provoke allergic reactions.

Furnishing

From impractical to functional

However, for furniture – and bedding – that rely on these foams, the risk of fire is a major consideration. With both traditional and contemporary materials, there is a potentially combustible mix of air and flammable material.

Fortunately, flexible polyurethane foams lend themselves to treatment with modern flame retardants. They work well with additive compounds, which can be incorporated at the point of manufacture; these help increase the ignition temperature of the foam and reduce the rate at which flame spreads.

Sleeping easy – modern bedding materials

For mattresses and bed pillows, the advantages of modern materials over traditional ones are similar; polyurethane foams offer considerable improvements, often when used in combination with natural materials.

Indeed, the advantages of polyurethane foams in beds extends beyond the home. As they are more comfortable, practical and hygienic, they also offer potential benefits in healthcare settings. For those forced to spend extended periods in bed – for example due to injury or disability, whether at home or in hospital – the advantages are easily apparent. Foam mattresses allow for light, adjustable beds that help avoid problems with pressure sores, improving quality of life for patients and make life easier for carers.

As with sofas and armchairs, the foams used in bedding are treated at the point of manufacture to ensure the required level of flame-retardant quality.

Ignoring or eliminating open flame ignition sources from furniture and electronics equipment decreases their safety by reducing their resistance to ignition.

Research

Blais, Matthew S., Karen Carpenter, and Kyle Fernandez. “Comparative Room Burn Study of Furnished Rooms from the United Kingdom, France and the United States.” Fire Technology (2019).

Comparative Room Burn Study of Furnished Rooms from the United Kingdom, France and the United States.

Researchers from Southwest Research Institute, an independent, non-profit research organisation, set out to explore questions frequently encountered in discussions about fire safety standards, fire performance and the efficacy of flame retardants. The study was conducted to evaluate differences in fire performance of identically configured rooms, based on the furniture fire safety standards of three countries: France, United Kingdom and U.S.

Differences among country-specific fire codes in real-world scenarios can dramatically affect overall fire conditions, including ignition development, smoke generation, escape time, and time available for emergency personnel response.

Country fire codes for upholstered furniture and home furnishings affect performance in fires.

The time to flashover (the time for a room to be completely engulfed in fire) of furnishings from the U.K. was delayed more than 13-17 minutes in comparison to countries with less protective standards.
Likewise, escape time significantly increased in the U.K. room burns, adding 13-15 minutes of escape time.

Smoke is not more acutely toxic from furniture containing fire retardants.

The chemical composition of the smoke generated in the room featuring the highest level fire retardant standards (i.e., U.K.) was less acutely toxic.
Comparison of the heat release data shows the UK room configuration — the country with the most stringent fire ignition standards — are significantly less flammable than either the French or US room configurations. In all cases, furniture represented the largest room fuel load, and its fire performance heavily influenced the testing outcomes.

Comparison of the heat release data shows the UK room configuration — the country with the most stringent fire ignition standards — are significantly less flammable than either the French or US room configurations. In all cases, furniture represented the largest room fuel load, and its fire performance heavily influenced the testing outcomes.

Furniture and furnishings