Polyurethane Foam: Fire Safety, Flammability and Industry Standards
Flammability performance is an important characteristic for foam products, particularly foam used in home furnishings, the automotive sector and aircraft. Developed from a combination of organic chemicals, polyurethane foam must be carefully protected and handled in relation to all sources of ignition.
UK fire safety regulations
In summary, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations require that all upholstery materials are cigarette resistant and covers match resistant; all filling materials meet ignition standards; a display label is fitted to every new item of furniture on sale (with exclusions for second-hand); and a five-year record of compliance is kept by the initial supplier of domestic upholstered furniture.
All manufacturers have a duty to ensure their foam products meet local and international fire regulations. In the UK, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations set the levels of fire resistance needed for all upholstered furniture, furnishings and products containing upholstery, including polyurethane foam. Manufacturers must satisfy a number of testing requirements for their product to be legally used in furniture, and it's the joint responsibility of UK furniture manufacturers, importers and retailers to ensure furniture isn't supplied to the public with non-compliant foam fillings. Our guide to cheap vs quality foam explains why this matters.
Industry bodies and standards
There's a longstanding relationship between private bodies and government organisations to develop suitable, up-to-date guidelines for foam and upholstery. Members of the PFA (Polyurethane Foam Association) have assisted with research into improving the combustion characteristics of flexible polyurethane foam since the early 1960s. In 2006 the PFA actively supported the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in achieving compulsory fire performance criteria for mattresses, and in 2007 the federal Open-Flame Mattress Standard (16 CFR Part 1633) came into force. Regulation isn't limited to consumer products: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) treats fire safety as the highest priority for aircraft upholstery, so to meet composite flammability requirements, foam used in aircraft must be paired with a fire-block fabric or treated with combustion-modifying additives during production. Our guide to foam for aircraft innovation explores this further.
Fire retardance and treatment
It's worth noting that foam's fire retardance can be altered using different chemical additive formulations to increase the fire resistance of polyurethane. Though polyurethane is often produced specifically to improve fire safety within a building, foam can also be treated with chemical flame retardants to further increase its resistance to ignition. For more on safe production, see our guide to responsible foam production.
For more about eFoam's product flammability standards, please contact one of our expert representatives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the UK fire safety regulations for foam furniture?
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations require upholstery to be cigarette resistant and covers to be match resistant, all filling materials to meet ignition standards, a display label on every new item of furniture (with exclusions for second-hand), and a five-year record of compliance kept by the initial supplier.
Who is responsible for ensuring foam meets fire standards?
Manufacturers must ensure their foam passes the required testing, but it's the joint responsibility of all furniture manufacturers, importers and retailers in the UK to make sure furniture supplied to the public doesn't contain non-compliant foam fillings.
Can foam be made more fire resistant?
Yes. Polyurethane can be produced to increase fire safety, and foam can also be treated with chemical flame retardants. In aircraft, foam must be paired with a fire-block fabric or treated with combustion-modifying additives during production.
