Factors Involved in the Ignition of Cellulosic Upholstery Fabrics By Cigarettes

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Abstract
Experimental cigarettes that approach the lower practical limits in tobacco density and circumference of that which can be produced were tested for their ignition propensity in three mock-up furniture configurations on 33 cellulosic fabrics over polyurethane and untreated cotton batting substrates. The three configurations were: flat, L or tight crevice-cigarette placed at the junction of the horizontal and vertical panels, and V or open crevice-cigarette placed in the crevice between a vertical panel and a second panel at a 20° angle. The cigarette heat outputs ranged from about 700-1,500 cal/cig and the fabrics covered the typical types (prints, weaves, velvets) and weights from 4.0-22.8 oz/yd2. For 18 of 33 fabrics over polyurethane all cigarettes in all configurations produced either no ignitions or 100% ignitions. The most important variables which influenced ignition propensity over polyurethane were yarn "smoldering proclivity" which showed a statistical correlation with the alkali metal content of the fabric, fabric density and fabric weight. Cigarette heat output influenced ignition propensity over polyurethane only in the L and V configurations and only over a narrow range of weighted fabric characteristics. Over cotton bat ting, all cigarettes produced nearly 100% ignitions in the L and V configura tions. In the flat configurations over cotton batting the combined K+ and Na+ level of the fabric and fabric density showed a significant effect whereas cigarette heat output again had an effect only over a narrow range of weighted fabric characteristics.

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