ISPA and SPSC team up for an outstanding Flammability SHOPtalk

Furniture World Magazine

The final International Sleep Products Association SHOPtalk prior to the enactment of California TB 603 and co- sponsored by the Sleep Products Safety Council, was held for a sell-out crowd on Dec. 7, in Los Angeles, CA. Guest speakers including key government officials and top flammability experts, shared ideas for compliance with that regulation and information regarding pending federal flammability standards with the record breaking crowd. California Bureau of Home Furnishings Chief Brian Stiger and Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs Charlene Zettel discussed both TB 603 and the industry’s support throughout the process of developing the regulation. “The International Sleep Products Association has done an outstanding job of keeping their members apprised of the developments and requirements of Technical Bulletin 603, and I appreciate their on-going support in helping us reach out to our licensees through correspondence and workshops such as today." Chief Stiger said. Also included on the list of speakers was Ruben Grijalva, State Fire Marshal, California, who noted that state fire marshals will augment the bureau’s enforcement efforts by putting more boots on the ground to inspect retail and manufacturing facilities. Allyson Tenney of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spoke of the pending federal flammability standard. Gordon Damant, Technical Consultant Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) and Al Klancnik of Serta, Inc., gave presentations on related technical and manufacturing considerations and moderated live question and answer sessions along with the SPSC’s Pat Martin. Bob Paust of Atlanta Attachment, Russ Bowman of Gribetz Int’l/GSG and Peter Poulsen of Mammut participated in a machinery panel that provided tips to help manufacturers learn more about the latest advancements in machinery to more efficiently produce TB 603 compliant mattresses. “I was pleasantly surprised at manufacturer turn out. Customer interest was high. This went well for us.” Sandy VanDyke of Hickory Springs Manufacturing, an FR materials supplier, commented. At the event, 27 exhibitors showed their latest advancements in flammability resistant products. Manufacturers took advantage of both opportunities to learn more about these products and speak one-on-one with the suppliers. Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association, www.sleepproducts.org is the trade organization for mattress manufacturers and their component suppliers around the world. ISPA hosts the biennial ISPA EXPO trade shows 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 research, and promote activities aimed at reducing hazards associated with mattresses and other sleep products.