Description:
Polyurethane, like any organic material will burn when exposed to an appropriate ignition source. Flammability of polyurethanes, particularly flexible foam products widely used in home and office furnishings, as well as in the automotive and railway sectors is a subject of great concern to the public opinion and policy makers. This inherent flammability property is closely related to the chemical nature of expanded polymer, being a cellular material with high air permeability and extended inner surface area. There are several reports available in many countries concerning fire statistics related to upholstered furniture which have put into evidence that ignition by cigarettes is one of the primary causes for furniture fire fatalities. Such worrying statistics which showed an increasing trend of fire-related deaths in homes urged several government bodies to take action by introducing at various levels, the so-called Furniture and furnishings (fire safety) regulations for domestic environment and public places. In this scenario, flame-retardant additives have proven very useful to improve the reaction to fire properties of flexible PU foams but recent debate around safety in homes and public places revolves principally around the need for furniture to meet specific fire safety requirements without posing other health risks associated with potential side effects related to smoke toxicity. This KnowHow Webinar is aimed to illustrate the major fire safety measures adopted in various countries to protect the PU foam in order to ensure its safe use in homes and public places and how the selection of the right formulation tool can help to satisfy these requirements.

Live Webinar Held: 25 April 2021 (Sunday)

Speaker:
Dr. Felix Sam is the Global Chemical Manager in one of the world leading Companies specialized in the manufacture of polyurethane based technical items for sport, leisure and transport with headquarters in Italy and production sites in the UK, Italy, Brazil and China. He is in charge of the R&D activities for the development of formulations and foaming processes. He holds responsibilities in the definition and supervision of Chemical – toxicological protocol which embodies the most important international regulations (REACH, RoHS, CPSC, California Proposition 65, OeKO Tex). Dr. Sam started his career in Eni Group (Italy) as a Research Chemist in flexible polyurethane foams slabstock and molded for automotive, railway and furniture sectors. He later joined The Dow Chemical and headed the chartered team for the integration and transition into new production technologies. In his 30 years of experience, he played an active role in technical service supporting customers and commissioning production plants worldwide. His areas of expertise are in polyurethane chemistry, flexible slabstock and molded, high performance integral skin for superior comfort, viscoelastic foam and polyurethane gel. His interests also include the world of sustainability with focus on raw materials from renewable sources and reconversion of post-consumer goods. Dr. Sam is author and co-author of over 20 patents, has published many scientific papers and contributed as speaker in several international conferences.