Question from TA
Debra, I’ve read some claims that wool burns at a lower temperature (600 degrees F, as I recall) than the extremely hot temperatures involved in the open flame test that mattresses must pass. So the claim is that the wool isn’t an adequate flame retardant and thus other things are being mixed in with the wool.
I think the idea that was being put forth was that things are being added to the wool itself; in other words, the mattress manufacturer isn’t intentionally adding any flame retardant to the mattress, but rather the wool itself is being produced in a way that it includes something for fire retardant purposes, since the wool alone can’t withstand higher than 600-degree temperatures.
Have you heard anything like this? The concern was that we could be buying something for it’s non-toxic attributes, while it might actually contain something as bad or worse than what we are trying to avoid.
Debra’s Answer
Wool typically is considerable to be non-flammable in it’s natural state.
A fabric made entirely of wool is difficult to ignite, burns slowly, and has limited ability to sustain a flame.
I came across a website that was showing how wool ignites. They were burning a piece of yarn hanging down, surrounded by air.
This is not the way wool is used in a mattress or furniture as a flame retardant. There it is a layer of fabric with very little air around it.
If someone is claiming that wool must be treated to pass the new open flame test, the proof should be showing a mattress or sofa in flames with a wool fire retardant barrier in place on the mattress or sofa.
Last year I actually spoke with a flammability research test engineer from the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation in Calfiornia, who was working on the new flammability regulations there. He told me that all manufacturers need to do to make cotten, linen and hemp pass the new smolder test was to add a layer of wool beneath.
The liternature overwhelmingly agrees that the flammability of wool in it’s natural state it low. There is no need to add chemical flame retardants.
