Flex-A-Bed Mattress Chooses Elk’s VersaShield® Fire Barrier as Fire Retardant Solution

Furniture World Magazine

Elk Specialty Fabric Technologies (Elk) announced that national adjustable bed manufacturer Flex-A-Bed will now construct all mattresses shipped to California with Elk’s patented VersaShield® flame retardant (FR) protection. Elk VersaShield flame retardant fabrics achieve compliance with the current California TB 603 fire safety standard and new federal FR standards slated to go into effect July 1, 2007. Flex-A-Bed President Max Morrison began his search for a reliable FR source in early 2005. He contacted several leading providers of fire resistant fabrics and fibers and, following their guidance, began constructing test mattresses. Those mattresses were shipped to Chicago where a series of six burn tests were conducted at the United Laboratories’® (UL) facility. None passed. By the time Morrison arrived at the 2005 Tupelo Furniture Show, he was frustrated. It was there he learned about Elk’s VersaShield® fire barrier fabrics. “I was skeptical,” Morrison said “Then, the Elk people introduced me to another mattress manufacturer just down the aisle. And they told me how they are successfully using Elk’s VersaShield products.” Morrison met with an Elk technical representative at Flex-A-Bed’s Georgia facility. They looked at current methods and agreed on how best to include the fire barrier fabric in the manufacturing process. Test mattresses were constructed and shipped to UL. All passed the open flame test. Morrison said, “So much for my skepticism. I’ve been impressed with everyone I’ve worked with at Elk. They are knowledgeable and passionate about their product and what it can do to for fire safety.” Flex-A-Bed realized additional benefits such as usage under fabrics to cover foam and prevention of white fabric discoloration when exposed to ultraviolet light. “Flex-A-Bed is the only product we’ve made since 1969. That’s why we’re able to offer a limited lifetime warranty for the bed. We made it ourselves and we stand behind it,” he said. “When choosing the right FR method and supplier, performance, quality and consistency were paramount. Other than the usual adjustments when you begin a slightly different process in the plant, we haven’t experienced any manufacturing issues. This is a much better situation than continuing to throw good money into unsuccessful burn testing.” To find out more about VersaShield fire barrier fabrics, visit the web site at www.versashield.com. For more information on Flex-A-Bed adjustable beds visit the company web site at www.flexabeddealers.com. About ElkCorp: ElkCorp, through its subsidiaries, manufactures Elk™ brand roofing and building products (over 90% of consolidated revenue) and provides technologically advanced products and services to other industries. Each of ElkCorp's principal operating subsidiaries is a leader within its particular market. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ELK). See www.elkcorp.com for more information. About Flex-A-Bed: Every Flex-A-Bed and mattress is hand-built by expert craftsmen at our North Georgia factory – using the same principles of care and consideration we have built our reputation on since 1969.