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

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.