FR

Manufacturers and Distributors of Mattresses and Upholstery

NOAH’S MANUFACTURING

NEW FEDERAL MATTRESS FLAMMABILITY STANDARD

FAQ’s

1. What is the new federal mattress flammability standard?

A federal cigarette-ignition standard has been in place since the early 1970s. The new standard takes product safety one step further by addressing mattress fires ignited by open-flame sources such as lighters, matches and candles. A mattress that does not meet the new federal standard may result in a deadly fire in a matter of minutes if ignited by an open-flame heat source. Mattresses that are manufactured under the new standard give your family more time to escape a fire.

2. How can I tell if a mattress meets the new standard?

The rule is effective July 1, 2007 and applies to all mattress sets manufactured in or imported into the United States on or after that date. The standard requires that every new mattress and foundation bear a permanent label stating that it complies with the standard, so look for the label when your new mattress is delivered to your home.

3. Does the standard affect the cost or comfort of a mattress?

Manufacturers have worked hard to retain superior mattress comfort while meeting the new standard and continue to offer a wide range of comfort choices at prices for every budget. Mattress costs have increased somewhat, but price increases are modest, especially in light of the additional safety the standard offers.

4. Can I put a new mattress on my old box spring/foundation?

Fire tests show that, in many cases, an FR standard-compliant mattress that is used with an old, pre-standard foundation (box spring) will fail the standard’s testing requirements. So mixing a new mattress with an old foundation may pose a safety risk to you and your family. The mattress and foundation should be replaced at the same time.

5. How safe are the materials used in mattresses that meet the standard?

Before finalizing the standard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded that flame-retardant materials widely used to meet the requirements did not present any appreciable risks to consumers or the environment. They include materials that have been safely used in other consumer products for decades. There was also no evidence that exposure to flame-retardant chemicals commonly used in mattress components contribute to or exacerbate allergies, asthma or multiple chemical-sensitivity. These materials and chemicals are generally non-volatile, not associated with fragrances or odors, and not derived from biological materials.

6. Where can I learn more about the standard and about fire safety?

For more information about the new standard visit:

www.MattressRegulation.org or www.SafeSleep.org

These websites are sponsored by the Sleep Products Safety Council, a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the safety of sleep products, supported by the mattress industry. These sites can help educate everyone in your home about potential fire hazards, learn how to eliminate risky behaviors, and organize and practice a family fire escape plan.

Dispose of old mattresses

Old mattresses can pose a potential fire hazard when stored in crawlspaces, basements, attics and garages – especially if they're near oily rags, gasoline and other flammable materials. If you're no longer dozing on them, dispose of them.

· Click HERE to download or view the Consumer Products Safety Council “Safe Sleep Brochure”

· Click HERE to download or view the Pocket Card Issued by the Sleep Products Safety Council