An investigation has been carried out of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. A review of the literature shows that, although there is abundant information on the test, it is not clear that its results correlate well with those of any other test, or indeed with those of real fires. Theoretical considerations indicate that the test could be improved by using it with bottom ignition rather than with the standard top ignition. A number of materials were tested in the cone calorimeter and in the LOI, and various correlations were attempted. In general, correlations between some of the cone calorimeter properties measured and the inverse of the LO1 made sense. These correlations were not, however, sufficiently sensitive, even when investigating small effects on a single base polymer system, to justify using the LO1 as a proxy for the cone in any way. The LO1 is likely to continue to be used extensively. This work suggests that quality control and, possibly, mechanistic or other flame-retardant additive studies, are its only applications where the results can be justified.

A total of 28 foam/fabric upholstery mock-up combinations (7 foams and 4 fabrics) were tested in a rate of heat release calorimeter (the cone calorimeter) at incident fluxes of 17.5 and 25 kW/m 2 . The results were analysed with three objectives: (a) understanding the relative contributions of fabric and foam; (b) comparing the relevance of the incident flux used to fire hazard; and (c) comparing the results with those of a round robin carried out on another rate of heat release calorimeter: Ohio State University instrument.The fabrics used represented the commercial range, but had no particular additional degree of flame retardance added: a cotton, a nylon, a polyester and a wool-nylon fabric The foams used were all flexible polyurethane foams, but had very different densities and levels and types of additives. All foams contained at least some flame retardant additives.The results suggest conclusions, at least for the systems tested:1. The fabric plays a much greater role than the foam in determining the fire performance of the system. Downloaded from 224 2. Ignition of the system is essential to obtain an adequate reflection of rate of heat release and fire performance. 3. If the incident flux is too low, results can be misleading, because some fabrics will not ignite.4. Trends on heat release are the same for the cone calorimeter and the OSU calorimeter, when the incident flux is high enough for the systems to ignite. 5. These systems do not reflect the highest degree of fire performance attainable ; however, the largest opportunities for improvement in upholstery systems will be found by using fabrics with better fire performance or by using interliners, rather than by addressing the foams alone.

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The vinyl industry has a rich history of providing solutions to societyk needs. These include flame-resistant wire insulation, piping systems for safe drinking water, and weatherable, flame-resistant systems for siding, windows, auto interiors, floors, and pool liners. Also included are shatter-resistant clear containers with handles, safe blood supplies and intravenous solutions, and flame-resistant computer housings and electrical boxes. These are but a few of the things of which the vinyl industry can be proud.The vinyl industry is mature, and as in many other mature industries, much of the technical and business effort goes into running the day-to-day businesses, putting out fires, reducing costs, and driving efficiencies. If poorly managed, this will be an all-consuming effort, leaving no thought and no effort at all on longerterm business opportunities. The future will look much different than today. Identifymg future trends will allow well-managed companies, looking for these future business opportunities, to seek out and set aside some efforts for developing future technologies and businesses. In this paper we discuss some future trends and needs, such as inexpensive and safe drinking water, personalized public transportation, prevention of resource depletion, high-powered energy packages, nonpolluting energy sources, human genetic engineering, e-bombs, and computers. The opportunities for the vinyl industry to participate in these changes also are discussed.