Testing of nightclub fire acoustic foams
Fire tests of non-FR polyurethane foam involved in nightclub fires show rapid ignition, high heat and smoke release.
The fire at Kiss Nightclub, Rio Grando do Sul, Brazil, in January 2013, killed 242 people and directly injured 636, excluding broader psychological and emotional impacts. Non flame retarded flexible polyurethane foam ceiling materials ignited by the band’s pyrotechnics contributed to the fire tragedy. Analysis has concluded that if the foam had respected national fire safety standards, and with adequate safety exits, all deaths would have been avoided (see pinfa Newsletters n°s 137, 133). Similar causes have been identified in other nightclub fire tragedies: pyrotechnics, acoustic foam, overcrowding, inadequate safety exits, non-compliance with regulations or absence of permit (indicative list of nightclub fires here).
Evidence to the Kiss Nightclub police investigation report suggests that the foam installed for acoustics over the stage was not conform to building fire safety requirements (not FR), and was purchased as mattress foam and installed by non-qualified personnel.
Samples of polyurethane foam from the Kiss Nightclub and similar commercially procured foams were used in these fire tests, in preparatory small-scale tests and in two full-scale tests, in reconstructions of the Kiss Nightclub stage and dance floor. The full-scale tests were initiated by pyrotechnic devices positioned at height of a human hand as in videos of the actual fire.). The tests showed that two different FR foams did not ignite when exposed to sparks from the different pyrotechnic devices, whereas two out of three mattress foams did ignite. When exposed to flames, one of the two FR foams continued to show no burning and no smoke.
Polyurethane foam representative of that installed in the Kiss Nightclub showed peak heat release rate (pHRR) of 2465 kW, total heat release of 142 MJ and total smoke release of 259 m2 (NFPA 286).
“Burning Behavior of Polyurethane Foam Acoustic Insulation used in the Kiss Nightclub Fire”, R. Almeida Freitas, J. Rodriguez, Architecture, Structures and construction (preprint) 2026 https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9416055/v1
Photo: Kiss nightclub fire Shutterstock 2254416065
