flame resistance of upholstered furniture is significantly improved by interposing between the cover fabric and the padding or applying to the top side of the cover fabric a layer of neoprene foam capable of forming when exposed to a burning cigarette or under the conditions of a standard flame spread test , a thermally insulating char which does not smolder , and which maintains its structural integrity . the neoprene foam must be so formulated that it also is capable of evolving at combustion temperature sufficient amount of water to efficiently cool the affected area . normally , the latex from which the foam is prepared is formulated with a char promoter and a hydrated inorganic compound . upholstered furniture of this invention passes a burning cigarette test and performs extremely well in the flame spread test .