Recent research conducted by The University of Central Lancashire has shed light on potential shortcomings in the current regulations governing the fire safety of upholstered furniture in the UK.
Despite the country's reputation for having stringent furniture flammability regulations, the study has uncovered concerning disparities in the safety of furniture composites that comply with these regulations.
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One significant finding from the study is the prevalent use of chemical flame retardants in standard domestic sofas, making up to 10 or 20% of their composition, which amounts to approximately two kilograms. These flame retardants can leach into household dust and the environment, posing various long-term health risks such as carcinogenicity, intellectual disability, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption.
In domestic fire scenarios involving upholstered furniture, the inhalation of toxic smoke is a leading cause of fire fatalities. The study compared different fabrics and filling compositions, revealing that samples treated with brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and/or tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) emitted significantly higher levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and smoke compounds known to be highly toxic.
The research underscores the inadequacy of the current approach of adding more flame retardants to meet regulatory requirements. Instead, it emphasises the urgent need for regulatory reform to effectively address fire risks associated with upholstered furniture.
As the UK government reviews its furniture flammability regulations, stakeholders are urged to advocate for balanced measures that prioritise fire safety while reducing exposure to harmful flame retardants. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is currently assessing feedback from stakeholders, highlighting the pressing need for action in response to the research.
Source: www.sciencedirect.com