[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FOAM FIRE SAFETY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I am joined by three of my 
colleagues in introducing the ``Foam Fire Safety Act'' to reduce the 
injuries, deaths, and property damage that result from polyurethane 
foam fires. This sensible legislation directs the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (CPSC) to implement a rule within one year that 
ensures that polyurethane foam products meet a new open flame standard. 
The new level of protection will decrease the destructiveness of fires 
in homes and buildings around the country and prevent unnecessary 
tragedies.
  Polyurethane foam is found in mattresses, upholstered furniture, 
carpet padding, soundproofing insulation, and many other common 
objects. It is also one of the most flammable consumer products, and 
firefighters refer to polyurethane foam as ``solid gasoline.'' Between 
1980 and 1998, mattress, bedding, and upholstered furniture fires 
killed almost 30,000 people in the United States. During the same 
period, these fires injured more than 95,000 people.
  The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) first began looking 
into creating stricter flame retardancy standards for foam in 1993. Ten 
years later, the process continues without results, and Americans are 
left without common sense standards similar to those already in place 
in California and Great Britain. My legislation requires foam to meet a 
new ``open flame'' test, which is equivalent to having a candle right 
next to the foam. Currently mattresses and furniture must only be able 
to withstand the equivalent of a lit cigarette.
  Polyurethane foam serves as kindling for fires, and a stricter 
standard would prevent deaths and property damage. In my district, 
polyurethane soundproofing foam contributed to the deaths of 100 people 
at the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on 
February 20, 2003. Because of the abundance of foam, the building was 
engulfed in flames within 3 minutes, and firefighters who were located 
just down the street could not arrive in time to save everyone.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and the other co-sponsors of this 
bill to reduce the risk of polyurethane foam fires. Please co-sponsor 
this responsible measure, and help make American homes and workplaces 
safer.

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