Abstract: Various embodiments of methods for testing properties of a product comprise: (1) heating a sample of the product via an ignition source and determining a temperature differential across the sample; or (2) exposing a sample of the product to a flame and determining thermal transfer resistivity of the sample; or (3) supporting a sample of the product over an ignition source, heating the sample via the ignition source, and determining a temperature differential across the sample. The tested properties of the product may consist of: open flame resistivity, thermal transfer resistivity, or both.

Abstract: A seat cushion or other resilient structure includes a foam inner core combined with layers of varying density fiber batts to impart desirable comfort characteristics, support features and durability thereto. In one embodiment, the foam core is positioned between intermediate layers of low loft fiber batts of relatively high densities. In turn, the intermediate batts are sandwiched between outer high loft fiber batts having relatively low densities. Alternately, the foam core comprises one or more intermediate layers of relatively high density fiber batts that are positioned within the foam core to create one or more fiber batt subcores. The outer high loft fiber batts sandwich the foam core comprising the fiber batt subcores to create the resilient structure.

Abstract: A protective fire retardant (FR) component for a composite furniture system. The protective FR component includes a resilient FR fiber batt comprised of at least one FR material and a layer of material enclosing the resilient FR fiber batt. The FR materials used to form the resilient FR fiber batt may include oxidized polyacrylonitrile (O-PAN) fibers, FR rayon fibers, a fiber blend which includes both O-PAN fibers and FR rayon fibers, modacrylic fibers or a fiber blend which includes both FR rayon fibers and modacrylic fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are uni-layer and bi-layer FR nonwoven fiber batts formed of various blends of charring fibers such as FR treated rayon, oxygen-depleting fibers such as modacrylic fibers and nonwoven fibers such as carrier fibers and binder fibers and associated methods for forming the same. Variously, the uni-layer and bi-layer FR nonwoven fiber batts may include layers formed entirely of blends of charring fibers and nonwoven fibers, layers formed entirely of blends of oxygen-depleting fibers and nonwoven fibers and/or layers formed of blends of charring fibers, oxygen-depleting fibers and nonwoven fibers.

Abstract: A bi-layered fire resistant (FR) nonwoven fiber batt and an associated method for manufacturing the same. The bi-layered FR nonwoven fiber batt includes a first, gray, FR layer, formed from a blend of black oxidized polyacrylonitrile (oxidized PAN), white dry polyester carrier fibers and white low-melt polyester binder fibers, and a second, white, layer, formed from a blend of white FR rayon, white dry polyester carrier fibers and white low-melt polyester binder fibers, disposed in a conforming relationship with the first, gray, FR layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer comprises an ignition source, a test stand that extends a sample of the product over the ignition source, and a means for measuring thermal transfer across the sample. The apparatus may further comprise a means for measuring thermal transfer across each layer of the sample. A method for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer comprises supporting a sample of the product over an ignition source, heating the sample via the ignition source, and determining a thermal differential across the sample. The method may further comprise determining a thermal differential across each layer of the sample.