Stephen Welch
@welchsfire.bsky.social
Fire researcher, Edinburgh Fire Research Centre
Nothing to do with your reporting but an example of the complete confusion in many online source of relevant concepts of "flammability", "fire retardance", "flame resistance" and "fire resistance", the distinction is critical to avoid misuse and misinterpretation, much more education needed on this!
January 2, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Nothing to do with your reporting but an example of the complete confusion in many online source of relevant concepts of "flammability", "fire retardance", "flame resistance" and "fire resistance", the distinction is critical to avoid misuse and misinterpretation, much more education needed on this!
eg: "Polyurethane foam is typically rated Class 1, an A-level fire-resistance rating, which means it is highly resistant to fire and will not cause any significant damage to structural elements...Polyurethane foam is safe to use in your home and office...a non-toxic material that is flame-resistant"
January 2, 2026 at 11:42 PM
eg: "Polyurethane foam is typically rated Class 1, an A-level fire-resistance rating, which means it is highly resistant to fire and will not cause any significant damage to structural elements...Polyurethane foam is safe to use in your home and office...a non-toxic material that is flame-resistant"
2. “PU foam is often treated with fire-retardant … But untreated, it can be highly flammable” – might imply treatment solves problem, no, all it does is make it harder to ignite and slows initial burning, in a confined environment it will still burn. Internet awash with misinformation on this! [2/2]
January 2, 2026 at 11:32 PM
2. “PU foam is often treated with fire-retardant … But untreated, it can be highly flammable” – might imply treatment solves problem, no, all it does is make it harder to ignite and slows initial burning, in a confined environment it will still burn. Internet awash with misinformation on this! [2/2]