Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Firegard®?
A. Firegard® is a line of open-flame barrier fabrics intended for use in the construction of mattresses. Firegard® flame barriers are made using patented core spun yarn technology. Firegard® is also a registered trademark of Springs Licensing, Inc.

Q. Is Firegard® a topical treatment? Can I make any fabric a Firegard® flame barrier?
A. No. Firegard’s® flame retardant properties come from its patented yarn structure and composition. We encase a highly heat-stable core with soft comfort fibers to produce fabrics that drape, feel and breathe like conventional fabrics, but establish a barrier to prevent or inhibit the spread of flame to the combustible materials inside a mattress. All of our residential flame barriers are inherently fire retardant and do not contain topically-applied fire retardant chemicals.

Q. How does Firegard® work?
A. When a Firegard® fabric is exposed to flame, three things happen:
The surface of the fabric chars to inhibit the spread of flame.
The inherently fire retardant fibers give off vapor-phase flame retardants at the fabrics’ surface to extinguish or slow the flames’ progress.
The yarns’ heat stable cores maintain a framework for the char layer. This reduces the flames’ access to the material inside a mattress.

Q. Does Firegard® make use of topically-applied fire retardant chemicals?
A. None of Firegard’s® residential flame barriers makes use of topically-applied FR chemicals. Instead, we use inherently fire-retardant fibers. Firegard® has been awarded a seal of commendation by the Children’s Coalition for Fire Safe Mattresses for this approach.

Q. How is Firegard® different from other fire retardant products?
A. Firegard® stands out for its use of patented core spun yarns. The structure of the fabric means you will have a robust flame barrier system that resists self-sustaining combustion, maintains a heat stable fabric framework at the ignition site, and looks and feels great throughout its useful life.

Q. How do I use Firegard® flame barriers to comply
with 16 CFR 1633?
A. The breadth of Firegard’s® product line makes it easy to achieve compliance without sacrificing your mattresses’ aesthetics. Our tickings incorporate the barrier, so they are a direct replacement for non-barrier tickings. In addition, we offer knitted and woven barriers that are designed to be used as quilting layers or as sock-form encasements beneath conventional non-FR tickings. We offer an assortment of weights and widths that you can specify according to your specifications. While it is not necessary to use FR tape with Firegard flame barriers, it is essential to use Firegard Kevlar sewing thread on all border seams and joints to complete the barrier envelope.

Q. Which Firegard® brand barrier is right for my application?
A. This will depend on many factors. The principal concern is does the construction have enough of a barrier to adequately contain the fuel potential contained in the mattress? The next concern is to ensure that the respective sizes of the mattress and foundation lend them selves to the form and size of the barrier. For example, we offer two sizes tubular of knit interliner in each of two weights. This is to provide the same level of barrier performance for all mattress sizes. Most of our customers use the narrower tube for twins and fulls; the wider width for queens and kings. They don’t mix weights, they just buy two widths.

Q. Can I label my product a Firegard® Mattress?
A. No, but you can say the mattress features or contains Firegard® brand flame barriers (if in fact it does!). We have certain guidelines concerning the proper uses of our trademark. Please contact us to learn more.

Q. Who sells Firegard®? Where can I get it?
A. Firegard® is available direct from Firegard Brand Products --- part of Springs Creative Products Group – and from our distributors and partners.

Q. What about prototyping?
A. Firegard® brand flame barrier have been tested successfully according to the most demanding full-scale mattress burn tests. We will gladly work with you to help you field your own successful qualified prototypes. In addition, Firegard®-equipped mattress prototypes for market use are currently in testing. Through our partners, we intend to offer these on a free subscription basis. Contact us for more information.

Q. Can I get a sample?
A. Hand samples are available on request. Please see the Contact Us page and provide your contact information with your request. (Note: Please provide your mailing and/or shipping address; Firegard doesn’t fax well.) Also, qualified manufacturers can get sample yardage for the construction of confirmed prototypes.

Q. Where is Firegard® produced?
A. Firegard yarns and fabrics are made in the US.