Mattress Flammability Guidelines

Open-Flame

• The newest regulation for mattress flammability addresses fires caused by open-flame sources such as lighters, burning candles and matches. Before they can be sold in the U.S. samples of every mattress are subjected to a 30 minute test with two T-shaped gas burners which simulate blankets, pillows and sheets that are on fire. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that the size of a fire is measured by the rate of its heat release. A heat release rate of 1,000 kilowatts causes a fire to flashover from one room to another. The heat release of a mattress must not exceed 200 kilowatts during the entire 30 minute test.

Cigarette

• The Consumer Product Safety Commission passed regulation in 1973 requiring that all mattresses manufactured or sold in the U.S. comply with a certain level of resistance to fires caused by lighted cigarettes. Mattresses are tested by placing 18 lighted cigarettes on the surface, tufted depressions and seams. The cigarette must not char the fabric or stuffing more than 2 inches in any direction; if it does it will not pass the test and cannot be sold.

Labels

• Mattresses that were manufactured, imported or renovated after July 1, 2007 must have a permanent label sewn into a seam indicating that they meet the new open-flame standard. Mattress stores are still able to sell their stock of older mattresses that do not meet the new guidelines, so look for the label indicating that it complies to ensure you are purchasing a bed that will be as safe as possible. Since the law regarding cigarette burns is relatively old, virtually all mattresses sold should already have a label stating it passes this law.

Fire Resistance

• In order to comply with the fire resistant guidelines, manufacturers apply inexpensive chemicals to mattresses such as boric acid (roach killer), formaldehyde, antimony trioxide and melamine, among others. Even though these toxins have been deemed safe to use as mattress fire retardants, there is no data that proves this to date. There are a few manufacturers that make use of advanced technology fire retardants in place of chemicals. The cost to do this is higher, so consumers must pay a premium to avoid inexpensive toxic fire retardants. Those who cannot afford a chemical-free mattress can purchase a special zippered mattress covers to minimize chemical leeching to their skin.