Full-Scale Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture and the Use of Test Data

A full scale fire test procedure for upholstered furniture is tried out. The tested item is ignited with a small wood crib and allowed to burn freely without restriction of air supply. Rate of heat release, mass burning rate, production of light obscuring smoke and production of carbon monoxide are measured. Measured test data are applied to simple existing room fire models in order to illustrate risk for further fire spread, visibility for escape and toxicity due to production of carbon monoxide.