Basic facts about the new federal mattress FR standard
David Perry, Bedding Editor -- Furniture Today, July 2, 2007
Who issued the standard? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The International Sleep Products Assn. and its Sleep Products Safety Council worked with CPSC on the standard. This is a federal standard, effective in all 50 states, including California, which first implemented an FR bedding standard in 2005. The federal standard replaces the standard that was in effect in California.
Why is the standard necessary? CPSC provides this response: "The federal open-flame flammability standard for mattresses is necessary because it will save lives and prevent injuries and property damage by providing more fire resistance. However, increased fire resistance does not mean there is no fire risk. CPSC urges consumers to never smoke in bed, be careful with candles and keep cigarettes and lighters away from children."
Weren't mattresses already protected from the threat of ignition? Federal protection from cigarette ignition has been in place for more than 30 years. The new federal standard is the first to deal with open flame sources, such as candles, cigarette lighters or electrical fires, as opposed to the threat posed by a smoldering cigarette.
How many lives will the new FR standard save? CPSC says the standard is estimated to save "as many as 270 lives every year and prevent as many as 1,330 injuries each year, when fully effective." Many of those saved will be children, experts say.
How does the standard save lives? It is designed to give consumers more time to escape a fire before it gets out of control, and to limit the severity of house fires. In order for mattresses to pass the new FR test, they must be able to withstand exposure to open flames in a controlled burn and then resist ignition for 30 minutes. That 30 minutes is a window of escape for consumers. And an FR-protected mattress is less likely to fuel a larger fire in the home, one that could imperil other family members and the firefighters called to fight it.
How can consumers tell if their mattress complies with the new open flame law? The mattress label will say if the mattress meets the requirements of the new FR law, as long as it is paired with an appropriate foundation or boxspring. The new law has the government designation of 16 CFR Part 1633.
Does the foundation also need to meet the standard? Yes. One of the burners used in the burn test is aimed at the area where the mattress and foundation meet. The label will state if the mattress is intended to be used with or without a foundation, and will specify which foundation or foundations are intended for use with that mattress.
Does CPSC require mattress producers to use fire-retardant chemicals? No. That is only one of the new FR technologies on the market. Other technologies use materials that are inherently fire-resistant. CPSC does not specify which types of FR materials should be used; it only requires that the beds pass the burn test.
Will the FR-protected mattresses look and feel the same? CPSC says that mattresses that comply with the new federal FR standard "shouldn't look or feel any different and shouldn't be any less comfortable."
How does the new FR protection affect retail prices? Producers are still offering products at all key retail price points. The relative values of bedding have changed slightly, because the FR materials do add costs to the bedding. But the playing field is now level; all producers have incurred additional costs to add FR protection. Producers say their lines still offer strong values to consumers.
Do consumers need to replace all of their old mattresses with new open-flame protected beds? No. The standard only applies to beds made on or after July 1, 2007. Consumers can keep their old mattresses as long as they wish.
Is there a sales opportunity there? We think so. You have the opportunity to let your customers know that they can upgrade all of the beds in their homes to models that feature state-of-the-art open flame protection. If consumers can't afford to replace all of the beds in their homes, another option is to use new FR mattress pads that are on the market.
What would happen if an older mattress was exposed to open flames? In its new consumer brochure on the standard, CPSC pictures an unprotected bed in flames after three minutes, while an open-flame protected bed exhibits a charred cover, with only small flames burning. It says of those pictures: "A conventional mattress is in flames in just a few minutes compared to a mattress that complies with the federal open-flame standard."
How can I get more information on the new standard? CPSC's Web site is www.cpsc.gov. CPSC can be reached by e-mail at info@cpsc.gov or by phone at (800) 638-2772. CPSC recommends that consumers contact mattress manufacturers if they have questions on the standard.
