Cushion Barrier Beats Chemicals in Furniture Fire Resistance Study

Upholstered chairs made with a special fire-resistant barrier in the cushion were less likely to burn when exposed to an open flame than were chairs made with flame retardant chemicals, according to a study Underwriters Laboratories Inc. released April 23.

Polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture can catch fire, contributing to deaths and injuries from household fires.

Furniture manufacturers can prevent fires by inserting textile barriers—in UL’s tests, one made of fiberglass—in between the foam in a chair and the cloth covering the foam.

For years, however, foam manufacturers have used flame retardants to reduce fire risk.

Questions about whether ...