[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E298-E299]
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

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, soon I will be joined by my colleague from 
Rhode Island in reintroducing the ``Foam Fire Safety Act'' to reduce 
the injuries, deaths, and property damage that result from fires fueled 
by products containing polyurethane foam. This sensible legislation 
directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to implement a 
rule within one year that ensures that mattresses, bedding, furniture, 
and other products containing polyurethane foam 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 products found 
where we live and work. Polyurethane foam is also one of the most 
flammable consumer products, and firefighters refer to it 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. 
Twelve years later, the process continues without result, and all 
Americans are left without common sense standards similar to those 
already in place in California and Great Britain.
  My legislation, which is endorsed by the National Association of 
State Fire Marshals, requires polyurethane products 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. While the CPSC has begun a 
rule making process for an open-flame test for mattresses, we cannot 
afford to delay any longer.
  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.
  As the 2 year anniversary of the Station fire approaches this 
weekend, Rhode Islanders are reminded of this horrific event. 
Unfortunately, we are frequently reminded of our own inaction to 
prevent future disasters as similar fires continue to occur around the 
world. On New Year's Eve, ceiling foam ignited in a nightclub in Buenos 
Aires, Argentina, killing

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nearly 200 attendees. We must act now before another tragedy strikes.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and the other co-sponsors of this 
bill to reduce the risk of polyurethane foam fires. Passage of this 
responsible measure will make American homes and workplaces safer.

                          ____________________