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 rulemaking 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 two 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 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.