Follow up points to your reply re flammability and latex fillings
I asked the question:Do your natural latex mattress fillings comply with Schedule 1 Part III of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations without the use of flame retardants? If so, how, since I’ve never heard of Natural Latex passing this test without FR assistance or something like graphite being added to the latex.To which Mike has replied:All of our latex mattresses have a 1cm layer of graphite latex on either side of the latex core, which provides sufficient fire retardance to comply with current regulations. Please view the details of our Fusion range and if you have any further queries, please call our office. Kind regards.
If so, how, since I’ve never heard of natural latex passing this test without FR assistance or something like graphite being added to the latex.To which Mike has replied:All of our latex mattresses have a 1cm layer of graphite latex on either side of the latex core, which provides sufficient fire retardance to comply with current regulations. Please view the details of our Fusion range and if you have any further queries, please call our office. Kind regards.
To which Mike has replied:All of our latex mattresses have a 1cm layer of graphite latex on either side of the latex core, which provides sufficient fire retardance to comply with current regulations. Please view the details of our Fusion range and if you have any further queries, please call our office. Kind regards.
I have two follow-up points to make.1. Your overall description of the fusion mattress reads: \”Hand crafted out of 100% natural latex with a natural cotton cover\”. I suggest this is misleading when you are including a layer of latex treated with graphite.2. More importantly, Schedule 1 Part III requires you to test the latex core filling without a protective layer of, in this case, graphite latex. The reason for this should be obvious: natural latex is highly flammable and therefore should not be used as mattress filling without FR treatment – of the latex itself. A 1cm protective layer is in any case clearly inadequate protection. If you are not testing the latex core as prescribed in Schedule 1 Part III then the product is illegal.
1. Your overall description of the fusion mattress reads: \”Hand crafted out of 100% natural latex with a natural cotton cover\”. I suggest this is misleading when you are including a layer of latex treated with graphite.2. More importantly, Schedule 1 Part III requires you to test the latex core filling without a protective layer of, in this case, graphite latex. The reason for this should be obvious: natural latex is highly flammable and therefore should not be used as mattress filling without FR treatment – of the latex itself. A 1cm protective layer is in any case clearly inadequate protection. If you are not testing the latex core as prescribed in Schedule 1 Part III then the product is illegal.
2. More importantly, Schedule 1 Part III requires you to test the latex core filling without a protective layer of, in this case, graphite latex. The reason for this should be obvious: natural latex is highly flammable and therefore should not be used as mattress filling without FR treatment – of the latex itself. A 1cm protective layer is in any case clearly inadequate protection. If you are not testing the latex core as prescribed in Schedule 1 Part III then the product is illegal.
Hi Jenny,
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1989, 1993 and 2010) are very detailed and can be quite confusing which is maybe where your confusion is coming from. Mattresses and divans are tested as a composite product without the individual layers needing individual checks. FIRA deem the surfaces and coverings to be the protective layer, most household furnishings would fail if every component was checked as they are not all FR as they would all need to be chemically treated causing some pretty intense unpleasant chemical smells.
There is no specification for latex to be tested on its own in any of the above Fire regulations and we have been a member of FIRA for many years having had all of our products tested in accordance with the FR regulations. We have always been incredibly transparent on the contents of all of our products, more so than any other mattress manufacturer.
We clearly label the graphite layer in all of our Fusion products, its composition, depth and density so can’t understand how this is misleading. Our stretch natural cotton cover is quilted with 100% flame resistant polyester fillings.
The 1cm graphite layer has passed all of the FIRA tests we undertake frequently so your assertion of being ‘clearly inadequate’ is also untrue I’m afraid Jenny.
We can understand that people are right to be cautious when it comes to FR and you should always ensure products are clearly labelled and tested to the relevant standards. This is something we have always done and always will. There’s a detailed article here on FR which may interest you and help clear up some of the confusion.
PART III
Ignitability test for latex rubber foam.
1. The foam shall be tested in accordance with the method set out in BS 5852: Part 2 using cover fabric corresponding to the specification set out in paragraph 2 below.
2. The fabric shall be made of 100 per cent flame retardant polyester fibre. Its construction shall be woven to a plain weave. The yarn in the warp shall be of 1.6 decitex fibre, spun to a linear density of 37 tex, Z twist at 420 turns per metre. The fabric shall be woven to 20.5 yarn threads per centimetre in the warp.
The yarn in the weft shall be of 3.3 decitex fibre spun to a linear density of 100 tex, Z twist at 550 turns per metre. The fabric shall be woven to between 12.6 and 13 threads per centimetre in the weft.
The fabric finish shall be scoured and heat set. Its mass shall be 220 g per m2 plus or minus 5 per cent.
3. The foam under test cut to the specified dimensions is placed on the test rig, covered with the fabric specified in paragraph 2 above and tensioned with clips as set out in BS 5852: Part 2. The test is then carried out using ignition source 2 as specified therein.
4. If smouldering or flaming failure against the criteria of clause 4 of BS 5852: Part 2 does not occur, the latex rubber foam passes the ignitability test.
If you would like to discuss this or anything else please do not hesitate to call our friendly team on 0161 437 4419. Our office hours are 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Kind Regards
Michaela
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