This study evaluated flat screen televisions for comparison between fire retardant (FR) versus non-FR housings. Research found the U.S. market televisions designed to be more resistant to external ignition than Mexican or Brazilian televisions; in four out of the six trials the televisions with flame retardants did not achieve sustained ignition.
When ignition did occur, it required more than 10 times the energy to cause flame retardant televisions to ignite; and combustion gases from Brazil burning televisions contained more carbon monoxide, acrolein, and benzene than the slower burning U.S. televisions.1 Source: Blais, Matthew, and Karen Carpenter. “Combustion characteristics of flat panel televisions with and without fire retardants in the casing.” Fire Technology 51.1 (2015): 19-40.
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. market televisions are designed to be more resistant to external ignition than Mexican or Brazilian televisions.
- In four out of the six trials, the televisions with flame retardants did not achieve sustained ignition.
- When ignition did occur, it required more than 10x the energy to cause flame retardant televisions to ignite.
- Combustion gases from Brazil burning televisions contain more carbon monoxide, acrolein, and benzene than the slower burning U.S. television.