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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Mushy on October 21, 2010, 10:16:42 AM

Title: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Mushy on October 21, 2010, 10:16:42 AM

my knowledge in this subject isn't what it should be and I'm trying to change that

has anyone been involved where these have caught fire?...I've been to many house fires where mattresses have been reduced to a smouldering mess....but not in places like Healthcare premises etc

Am I right in saying that the resistance to ignition test is cigarette/match/butane flame for 15 seconds?

is flame retardancy just that ie will resist ignition but will still catch fire if sufficient prolonged flame is applied?

sorry if these sound like numbnut questions

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: wee brian on October 21, 2010, 11:28:27 AM

Yes. Furniture that meets the Furniture and Furnishings regs standards are harder to ignite but will still burn eventually. If you want products that dont burn at all (in normal fire conditions) then you need something that is classed as non combustible.

That leaves you with concrete matresses which are a bit uncomfortable

I wouldnt call it a silly question.

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Mushy on October 21, 2010, 11:49:29 AM

concrete mattresses...reminds me of my army days  ;D

cheers Wee Brian

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Midland Retty on October 21, 2010, 12:59:15 PM

Get a water bed - simples !

Sorry  ;)

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: John Webb on October 21, 2010, 01:48:16 PM

I can vaguely recall an incident (in Chatham?) where mattresses in store smouldered for long time and when a fire crew opened up the store there was virtually an explosion which caused severe injuries or worse. Sorry - wasn't directly involved in the ensuing research so I don't recall the fine detail. I'm sure however that the research came up with mattress designs that were significantly less likely to smoulder or burn.

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Tom Sutton on October 21, 2010, 04:25:01 PM

Assuming it is domestic then Check out http://www.fira.co.uk/ free registration and download the guide to Furniture Regs. You will also need BS 5852 and BS 7177.

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Colin Newman on October 21, 2010, 06:09:51 PM

The resistance to ignition standard for matresses used in healthcare premises referred to in HTM05-03 Part C is ignition source 5 (wood crib - 20g of newspaper equivalant) for medium risk patient categories [general patient areas] and ignition source 7 (wood crib - 100g of newspaper equivalent) for high risk patient catagories [mental health envoironments].

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Steps on October 26, 2010, 11:11:44 AM

Mushy,

Try this link, the last paragraph contains the information which I think you seek.
http://www.sp.se/en/index/services/firetest_furniture/BS6807/Sidor/default.aspx

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: Mushy on October 26, 2010, 11:22:49 AM

thanks all....

very helpful information cheers

Title: Re: flame retardancy of mattresses
Post by: jokar on October 26, 2010, 05:22:30 PM

John, 2 Kent Firefighters died when a mattress store exploded and they got caught in it.