Effective from July 1, 2007 it is mandatory that all mattress sets meet the federal flammability standard CFR 1633. It is necessary to impart flame resistance that would provide at least 30 min for occupants to escape fire. Changes in the flammability laws are expected on other soft furnishings of sleep products like comforters and pillows. Generally these products are often the first to be engulfed by the fire. Currently many inherently flame retardant (FR) fibers and chemicals are available in the market. We have developed barrier fabrics with FR properties by incorporating these fibers in blends with cotton that either meet or exceed the standard. Results from this ongoing research are discussed in this article.
Ryan Trainer.Update on Mattress Flammability Issues at the Federal, State and International Levels. International Sleep Products Association [Online] . Cited 22 June, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.sleepproducts.org/
2.
The National Cotton Batting Institute- Strategic Objectives [Online]. Cited 22 June, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.natbat.com/
3.
All Natural Cotton Batting [Online]. Cited June 22, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.natbat.com/NCBI_v5.pdf
4.
Georgina Herrmann.The Furniture of Western Asia- Ancient and Traditional, In: Proceedings of the Conference; 28-30 June, 1993 ; Institute of Archaeology, University College, London.
5.
Leona Hawks.Selecting a Comfortable Mattress. Utah State University Newsletter 1987 [Online] . Cited 22 June,2008; Available from: URL: http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HI_07.pdf
6.
Best Firm Mattress-What is the best mattress for spine support? [Online]. Cited 22 June, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.alkenmrs.com/sleep-disorders/best-firm-mattress.html
7.
Horrocks, R. (1996). Developments in Flame Retardants for Heat and Fire Resistant Textiles-the Role of Char Formation and Intumescence, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 54: 143-154.
8.
Flame Retardant Center - Special Chemicals Polymer Additives and Color [Online]. Cited June 22,2008; Available from: URL:http://www.specialchem4polymers.com/tc/flame-retardants/index.aspx
9.
Parikh, D.V. (2003). Flame Retardant Cotton Blend High Lofts, Journal of Fire Sciences, 21(5): 383-395.
10.
Weil, E. and Sergei, L. (2008). Flame Retardants in Commercial Use or Development for Textiles, Journal of Fire Sciences, 26(3): 243-281.
11.
Ramachandran, T., Vellingiri, K. and Kannan, M.S.S. (2005). A Comparative Study of Durable Flame Retardant Finish on Cotton Fabrics, Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India), 85: 29-32.
12.
Giraud, S., Bourbigot, S., Rochery, M., Tighzet, L., Delobel, R. and Poutch, F. (2005). Flame Retarded Polyurea with Microencapsulated Ammonium Phosphate forTextile Coating, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 88(1): 106-113.
13.
Ball, R., McIntosh, A.C. and Brindley, J. (2004). Feedback Processes in Cellulose Thermal Decomposition: Implications for Fire-retarding Strategies and Treatments, Combustion Theory and Modelling, 8(2): 281-291.
14.
Wu, W. and Yang, C.Q. (2007). Comparison of Different Reactive Organophosphorus Flame Retardant Agents for Cotton - Fabric Flame Resistant Performance and Physical Properties, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 92(3): 363-369.
15.
Gaan, S. and Sun, G. (2007). Effect of Phosphorus Flame Retardants on Thermo-oxidative Decomposition of Cotton, Polymer Degradation and Stability , 92(6): 968-974.
16.
Gouda, M. (2006). Enhancing Flame-resistance and Antibacterial Properties of Cotton Fabric, Journal of Industrial Textiles, 36(2): 167-177.
17.
Products Literature-Rohm and Haas Company [Online]. Cited June 22, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.rohmhaas.com/wcm/products/browse.page?
18.
Product Literature-Spunfab Inc.[Online]. Cited June 22, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.spunfab.com/products/index.html
19.
Kamath, M.G.Processing and Evaluation of Cotton-based Composites for Automotive and Other Applications [Online]. Cited June 22, 2008; Available from: URL:http://etd.utk.edu/2004/KamathManjeshwar.pdf
20.
Technical Bulletin604. State of California [Online]. Cited June 22, 2008; Available from: URL:http://www.bhfti.ca.gov/industry/tb604_final_draft.pdf
