A Survey of Upholstered Furniture Fabrics and Implications for Furniture Flammability

Gandhi, Sanjeev; Spivak, Steven M.

doi:10.1177/073490419401200305

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In residential mattresses, a thin layer of such polyester batting is often used to enhance smoldering ignition resistance. A similar approach has been suggested for upholstered furniture whereby a polyester batting could act as a barrier to a smoldering ignition source [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. However, this material fails the BF-open flame test as the thermoplastic polyester melts as soon as it is exposed to this open-flame ignition source.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

et al. 2016

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

et al. 2016

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“…Alkali metal ions, particularly potassium and sodium, are known smolder promoters in cellulosic fabrics [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Other ions present in cellulosic fabrics may be smolder promoters or smolder inhibitors [8,[17][18][19].…”

Section: Alkali Metal Ionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ignitable fabrics have certain characteristics that separate them from those that do not ignite [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Specifically, they are composed entirely or predominately of cellulosic fibers (cotton, rayon, blends of these two, or perhaps, linen), generally weigh at least 8 oz/yd2, and contain enough sodium or potassium (generally > 1000 ppm) to sustain a smoldering ignition [4][5][6].…”

Section: Experimental Fabric Procurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Upholstery Fabric Properties on Fabric Ignitabilities by Smoldering Cigarettes. II

Dwyer

Fournier

Lewis³

et al. 1995

Journal of Fire Sciences

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Upholstery fabrics for residential use were obtained from various fabric shops and manufacturers' catalogs. Screening was conducted with four experimental cigarettes of varying design. By the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cotton duck mockup method, two of the cigarettes display "low" ignition propensity and two show "high" ignition propensity. Of the fabrics obtained for this study, 316 smoldered when in contact with at least one of the experimental cigarettes. Further examination within this set of upholstery fabrics showed once again that cigarette ignition propensity ranking are dependent on fabric characteristics. The number of fabrics that showed ignition propensity rankings opposite to the NIST test "ranking" was similar to the number that agreed with it. That is, on the fabrics with rankings opposite to the NIST ranking, cigarettes of "low" ignition propensity by the NIST test showed more ignitions than cigarettes of "high" ignition propensity by the NIST test. These results are consistent with those of a previously published study with a smaller set of ignitable fabrics. Fabric weight was a key factor in determining fabric ignition behavior; two of the cigarettes showed increasing ignition propensity and two showed decreasing ignition propensity with fabric weight. For the majority of fabrics, however, cigarette design was unimportant in determining ignition behavior; that is, no differences in ignition behavior were observed with the different cigarette designs. The physical and chemical properties of the cotton duck fabrics of the NIST test are such that they repre-JOURNAL OF FIRE SCIENCES, VOL.

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“…Polyester fiber battings, commonly used in upholstered seats, provide a significant barrier effect when tested with smoldering cigarette ignition (Gandhi & Spivak 1994). However, it fails to protect the underlying cushioning material when an open flaming ignition source is used ).…”

Section: Polyester Fibermentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of fire blocking technologies for soft furnishings

Nazaré

Davis

2012

Fire Sci Rev

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Fire barrier fabrics are expected to play an increasingly important role in complying with existing and proposed soft furnishing flammability regulations in the US. The number of commercial fire blocking technologies is large in order to accommodate the vast requirements of the consumers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies. Generally, highloft, nonwoven fiber battings are used in residential mattress applications, whereas coated or laminated textiles are more common in institutional and upholstered furnishing applications. Successfully achieving the desired level of fire protection requires appropriate matching of the barrier fabric to the desired characteristics of the soft furnishing. Barrier material selection for soft furnishings is generally a process of trial and error due to significant measurement science gaps. In 2009, the National Institute of Science and Technology and American Fiber Manufacturers Association held a workshop on fire blocking barrier fabrics for soft furnishings to discuss the past, present, and future state of the barrier materials in the US. This manuscript is based on knowledge obtained from the workshop and the subsequent knowledge gathered from literature and stakeholders. Several fire blocking technologies have been explored to reduce the flammability of soft furnishings by preventing or delaying direct flame impingement and heat transfer from the flames or molten polymer to the core components. While previous studies reported on use of fire barriers to comply with full-scale testing of soft furnishing items, they failed to report on assessment of barrier materials as isolated components. In addition to a few examples that demonstrate the complexity that makes a priori selection of fire barrier materials difficult, various fire blocking technologies are discussed in this report with respect to material type, fiber content, and fire blocking mechanisms. Potential test methods for characterizing barrier performance are reviewed. Future trends in fire blocking materials are also briefly described.

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A Survey of Upholstered Furniture Fabrics and Implications for Furniture Flammability

Cited by 14 publications

References 6 publications

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

The Effects of Upholstery Fabric Properties on Fabric Ignitabilities by Smoldering Cigarettes. II

A review of fire blocking technologies for soft furnishings

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