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https://www.nist.gov/el/fcd/room-flashover-experiments-demonstrate-effectiveness-barrier-fabrics

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Engineering LaboratoryFire Research Division

## National Fire Research Laboratory

## Breadcrumb

Fire Calorimetry Database (FCD)

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

### Research Overview

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.

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2129

https://www.nist.gov/el/fire-research-division-73300/flammability-reduction-73304/low-heat-release-upholstered-furniture

Bryant, R. and Bundy, M. The NIST 20 MW Calorimetry Measurement System for Large-Fire Research, Technical Note (NIST TN) 2077, 2019https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2077

NIST Fire Calorimetry Database (FCD)https://doi.org/10.18434/mds2-2314

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