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PGI's FR fabric helps mattress makers meet new federal bed safety standards

04 Jul '07

2 min read

Polymer Group Inc is expanding sales nationwide of flame retardant (FR) fabrics that will help mattress manufacturers meet new federal bed safety standards that went into effect July 1, 2007. Mattresses made with the company's new nonwoven FR fabrics comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission flammability standards (16 CFR Part 1633) enacted to reduce the number of mattress fires from open flame sources.

Originally developed to meet the California open flame fire standards (Technical Bulletin 603) that went into effect in January 2005, PGI has enhanced the high-performance product that has been successfully tested and sold regionally to offer it economically in more colors and sizes.

PGI has partnered with Hanes Industries, the leading distributor to the home furnishings industry, to distribute the fabric that is used as a facing material on the bottom of no-flip mattresses under Hanes' brand name Stratus. The products were already being sold to several leading manufacturers in advance of the federal deadline.

Stratus fabric acts as a FR facing material so an additional fabric layer is not needed in the mattress construction. Available in beige and gray, it is aesthetically appealing, soft and sewable. It also meets UL's Recognized Component standards.

Stratus fabrics are made with PGI's proprietary Apex technology that produces stronger and heavier fabrics with enhanced tear and abrasion resistance when compared to traditional alternative materials. This technology also allows three-dimensional images to be imparted directly into the fabric for improved performance.

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