Influence of Flexible Polyurethane Foams on Upholstery Fabric-Foam Mock-ups Ignitions by Cigarettes

Abstract

Fabric and polyurethane foam are major components in most upholstered fur niture mock-up systems. Their influence on the system propensity to ignite when exposed to a lit cigarette can be estimated by means of a logistic model. The model, which estimates percent ignition, is uniquely determined by the significant physical properties of the fabric, foam and cigarette employed in the test. Varying the physical properties or weighted characteristic of one com ponent in the fabric/foam/cigarette mock-up system while holding the other two constant allows sensitivity analysis.

The logistic model development rationale along with the selection criteria for the fabrics, foams and cigarettes are presented. Weight and proclivity of the fabric, and air flow of conventional polyurethane foam were found to be the major physical properties of the mock-up system substrate influencing ignition rates.

Keywords

Cigarette ignition propensity cellulosic upholstery fabrics polyurethane foam urea bonds urethane bonds air flow.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Ihrig, A.M. , A.L. Rhyne , V. Norman and A.W. Spears. "Factors Involved in the Ignition of Cellulosic Upholstery Fabrics by Cigarettes," J. Fire Sci., 4:237-260 (1986).

Damant, G.H. "Cigarette Induced Smoldering of Uncovered Flexible Polyurethane Foams ," J. Consumer Product Flammability, 2:140-153 (1975).

Eicher, W.J. and J.F. Szabat. "Response of Polyurethane Foams to Cigarette Ignition Tests ," J. Consumer Product Flammability, 7:172-188 (1980).

McCarter, R.J. "Smoldering of Flexible Polyurethane Foam," J. Consumer Product Flammability, 3:128-140 (1976).

Ohlemiller, T.J. , J. Bellan and F. Rogers. "A Model of Smoldering Combustion Applied to Flexible Polyurethane Foams," Combustion and Flame, 36:197-215 (1979).

Ohlemiller, T.J. and F.E. Rogers. "A Survey of Several Factors Influencing Smoldering Combustion in Flexible and Rigid Polymer Foams," J. Fire and Flammability, 9:489-509 (1978).

Rogers, F.E. and T.J. Ohlemiller. "Minimizing Smolder Tendency in Flexible Polyurethanes," J. Consumer Product Flammability , 5:59-67 (1978).

Rogers, R.E. , T.J. Ohlemiller , A. Kurtz and M. Summerfield. "Studies of the Smoldering Combustion of Flexible Polyurethane Cushioning Materials ," J Fire and Flammability, 9:5-13 (1978).

Grace, O.M. , S.E. Wujcik and T.M. Smiecinski . "Improvement in Cigarette Smoldering Resistance of Upholstered Furniture," Proceedings of International Conference on Fire Safety, published by Product Safety Corp, Sunnyvale, CA, 12:19-31 (1987).

10.

Standard Methods of Testing, Flexible Cellular Materials-Slab, Bonded & Molded Urethane Foams, ASTM Designature D3574-81, see also ASTM D3574-86 (May 1986).

11.

Cox, D.R. "Analysis of Binary Data," Methuen Ltd., London, England (1970).

12.

Lee, E.T. "A Computer Program for Linear Logistic Regression Analysis," Computer Program in Biomedicine, North Holland Publishing Company, 4:80-92 (1974).

13.

Pressler, C.L. and M.S. Oakley. "Upholstered Furniture Flammability Test Method and Data Summary," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (1981).