ISPA and SPSC Team-Up in Preparation for New Flame Resistance Standards

Furniture World News

With the upcoming Federal Mattress Standard scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2007, there is still much to do for many mattress manufacturers as they prepare to meet the new regulation. In fact, reconfiguring operations to produce flame-resistant mattresses may be more complex and time-consuming than some might think. As a result, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) and Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) have announced new Flammability SHOPtalk workshops. The following workshop dates are set – June 13, in Charlotte, N.C.; June 14, in Philadelphia, Pa; July 11, in Minneapolis, Minn; (including a lab tour and burn demo at Stork Twin City Testing) and July 13, in Los Angeles, Calif. Those who have attended in the past have left the seminars with abundant information. "The interactive SHOPtalk provided me with crucial information during an important change in our industry. We're not waiting until the last hour - we're getting prepared now. Participating in this workshop gave me practical ideas for adjusting my operations, which will take time to implement. I was also able to compare the various products and processes available for making product compliant, and I made contact with key suppliers of these components and services. A day well spent!" said Mary Sharkey, vice president of manufacturing at McRoskey Mattress Company. Both industry manufacturers and suppliers are encouraged to participate in these popular, interactive, “roll up your sleeves” sessions offered exclusively by ISPA and the SPSC. Workshop programs will include specifics on the pending Federal open-flame standard, with information and tips on compliance. The timely one-day programs will also include topics such as enforcement issues concerning the new FR standard; how to design and test qualified mattressprototypes; how to maintain detailedrecords that will soon be required; what FR products and services are available to help manufacturers make compliant products; how to implement a quality assurance process; suggestions for instituting appropriate manufacturing controls, and tips for working with testing labs. This year, participants will receive a Flammability Resource Manual and will be given the opportunity to have their critical questions answered in person by experts like FR Consultan Bob Sabalaskey, Lilly Management Group, Gordon Damant technical consultant for SPSC, and representatives from the U.S. CPSC. Participants will also be able to discuss a range of FR components and services with tabletop exhibitors. Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association, www.sleepproducts.org is the trade organization for mattress manufacturers and their component suppliers around the worl. ISPA hosts the biennial ISPA EXPO trade show and publishes BedTimes and Sleep Savvy magazines. The Sleep Products Safety Council, www.safesleep.org is a non-profit organization established in 1986 by the mattress industry. SPSC’s mission is to provide consumer safety information, support scientific research, and promote activities aimed at reducing hazards associated with mattresses and other sleep products.