Video shows side-by-side room fire tests with UK fire-safe and US non fire-safe furniture – and how families react. Two identical open-front mock-up rooms were furnished with two sofas (one UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations standard, using flame retardant FR, and one not fire safety treated), plus curtains, shelves, table, etc. A small flame source is placed on the cushions of one sofa in each room. After 2 ½ minutes, the non-FR sofa shows a large fire, whereas the UK sofa is scarcely burning. After 4 ½ minutes the non-FR room reaches flashover, with the whole room engulfed in flames from floor to ceiling, whereas the FR sofa has self-extinguished. Members of the public invited to see the tests react: “The flame is big enough and the smoke, in a minute, it really puts into perspective how serious this is …”, “Honestly, I don’t think anyone is prepared, it’s enough to change your mind completely”.
“Home Fire Safety Video. The fire safety of home furnishings3 minutes”, 3 minutes, NAFRA https://www.flameretardantfacts.com/benefits-of-flame-retardants/home-fire-safety/