Slide 3 of 37

The flexible polyurethane foam industry (now known as FPF) developed in the years following World War II. FPF found many different applications, but the largest market for FPF remains the upholstered furniture industry.

Almost from the beginning FPF was quickly recognized as having the potential to ignite and, depending upon the conditions, burn vigorously. All carbon-based products burn, but in the case of FPF, this tendency is increased by the fact that foam has a very large surface area per unit weight and being open celled allows ready access to oxygen required for combustion.