Study Shows Robust Fire Safety Standards in Electronics Can Significantly Mitigate Risk of Household Fire Potential

The Brazilian Flame Retardant Industry association (ABICHAMA) assessed Brazilian market televisions against US market televisions to collect comparative data that can be used to help set performance evaluation criteria for the safety and protection of consumers of household electronics. The comparative analysis demonstrates risk of fire posed by household electronics in markets where flame retardants are not utilized.1 Emergency, Nov. 21-Jan. 22

Key Takeaways:

  • When steps to prevent ignition are not taken, polymeric television casings can act as a fuel source to a potentially larger fire.
  • Televisions sold in markets which utilize flame retardants in their casings were found to be less likely to become a major source of fire.
  • Televisions sold in markets lacking flame retardants were found to be vulnerable to ignition from small sources, including internal sparks or short circuits.

For additional information, view the Fire Technology research article, “Combustion Characteristics of Flat Panel Televisions With and Without Fire Retardants in the Casing.

Click here to view a one-page summary of the study.

Click here to view a video of Professor Antonio Fernando Berto of the Institute for Technological Research (IPT) in São Paulo, Brazil, discussing the importance of brominated flame retardants in electronics, including televisions.