Full-Scale Experiments to Demonstrate Flammability Risk of Residential Upholstered Furniture and Mitigation Using Barrier Fabric

A series of three full scale room fire experiments were conducted to demonstrate the potential fire risk of residential upholstered furniture. In this work, we investigated fire growth in a furnished compartment intended to mimic a living room where a couch was the main fuel load. Three TB-117-2013 compliant and commercially available couches were procured. The couches were identical except for the type of cover fabric: two couches used a cotton blend cover and one used a thermoplastic polyester cover. One of the two couches with the cotton blend cover fabric was modified by adding a barrier fabric as a liner between the cover fabric and the couch padding material. The barrier contained only intrinsically fire-resistant fibers without additional, chemically active fire retardants. Three fire tests, one per couch type, were conducted. A throw pillow on the arm of the couch, ignited with a propane flame, acted as an ignition source. Room Dimensions: 3.7 m (12 ft) by 3.7 m (12 ft) by 2.4 m (8 ft) ceiling height. Opening Dimensions: 2.4 m (8 ft) wide, 2.1 m (7 ft) tall.