TB117-2013 is a new California flammability standard for upholstered furniture (which includes, couches, padded chairs, but NOT mattresses). Because it is not feasible for manufacturers to make different versions of products for different states, the California standard has effectively been and will continue to be the standard for the entire United States. Currently it’s still in the proposal stage, but it’s in the news this week because the deadline to make comments is next Tuesday, March 26.
California Governor Jerry Brown has directed the Bureau of Electronic & Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation to redo the TB117 flammability standard in a way that reduces the use of flame-retardants while still maintaining fire safety. But will the currently proposed revision actually do that?
The existing TB117 rule requires the filling materials of household furnishings (polyurethane foam in most cases) to pass an open-flame test. This is where the foam is exposed to a flame and the foam is required to meet specific flammability criteria. Because polyurethane foam is has an “open cell” structure, there is a tremendous amount of air available between the thin cell walls, which makes the foam extremely flammable. In order to comply with the extisting law, foam manufacturers have to add flame-retardant chemicals into the foam.
These flame-retardant chemicals, however, are only of limited value, because once the foam does ignite, the resulting fire can be just as massive as a fire with untreated foam. Even worse, once there is a fire, the various flame-retardant chemicals are released into the air and create even more toxic conditions for residents and fire fighters. Fire retardants have been found in the blood of fire fighters, and cancer rates are up among them.
