Jun 30 2007
DuPont innovations are playing a key role in helping mattress manufacturers meet the new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) new flammability standard for mattresses that goes into effect July 1, thus helping to create a safer sleep environment for consumers and their families.
"DuPont has long been committed to delivering new innovations for safety and protection, including a growing number of applications using DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) and Nomex(R)," said Kathy Kowalski, global director of new business development - DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "DuPont(TM) Fire Resistant (FR) Materials with Kevlar(R) brand aramid fiber is an exciting development that will provide consumers inherent thermal protection for consumer mattresses by leveraging the DuPont technology that has been protecting fire fighters, first responders and the military for over 40 years."
"DuPont has a proven track record in flame and thermal protection for a variety of applications for many decades," said Michael DeFranks, Director of Engineering - Simmons Bedding Company. "The company's unique expertise in this field makes it a natural fit to help the mattress industry provide an enhanced level of safety for our customers."
DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) uniquely combines high strength with thermal protection. Kevlar(R), recognized throughout the world for its performance attributes, is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis, providing reliable performance and solid strength. It is the molecular structure of KevlarÒ that provides high thermal stability and high resistance to many threats and dangers in a variety of applications and end uses.
"DuPont believes that fire-resistant protection for mattresses is ideally made through use of inherently flame resistant components with proven effectiveness through normal wear-and-tear and exposure to liquids," Kowalski said. "Mattresses manufactured with all inherently flame resistant components are now available to consumers and provide unique benefits and long-term effectiveness."
As of July 1, all mattresses sold in the United States must meet the CPSC's flammability standard that is designed to reduce the severity of mattress fires ignited by open flame sources such as candles, matches and lighters. The CPSC estimates that once fully effective, the new federal flammability standard will prevent as many as 270 deaths and 1,330 injuries every year.(1)
In addition to its fire resistant materials, DuPont plays another important role in sleep safety. The Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) prints information about fire prevention and other related safety tips on labels made of DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R). The labels can be permanently sewed onto mattresses, and the combination of the strength and durability of Tyvek(R) ensures they will last for the lifetime of the mattress.