What does Fire Retardant mean? A fire retardant is a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion.

All foams used in Forté mental health mattresses meet BS5852 Source 5 Specification. Covers meet BS 6807 ignition source 5 and BS 7175 ignition source 5 standards.

What is BS5852 Source 5 Specification?

Test methods for assessing the ignitability of covers and fillings used in upholstered products such as mattresses, by smouldering and flaming ignition sources

BS5852 is a British Standard that describes methods for assessing the ignitability of single material combinations, e.g. cover and foam core of a mattress, when subjected either to a smouldering cigarette or to flaming ignition sources of thermal output ranging from that of a burning match to that approximating to the burning of four double sheets of full-size newspaper, as might be applied accidentally to any item of furniture.

Source five is one out of seven ignition sources of the BS5852;

What is BS 7175 ignition source 5 Specification?

Methods of test for the ignitability of bedcovers and pillows by smouldering and flaming ignition sources. BS 7175 describes methods of test for the ignitability of bedcovers and pillows when subjected to smouldering and flaming types of ignition sources of differing severities.

Source five uses a wood crib 5. A crib is composed of wooden planks glued together. Lint is attached to the bottom. After adding propane-diol, the crib is placed on the test rig and ignited with a match. If no flaming or progressive smouldering is observed on both cover and foam core, the test is recorded as no ignition and the material passes the test.

ANTI-LIGATURE

The environment in a mental health facility, correctional facility, group home, or any application where safety and security can often feel isolated and confined, leaving residents in a fragile state. In these environments, everyday items, even something like bedsheets, could be seen as a means of harm, either to oneself or to others.

That is what makes anti-ligature furniture in correctional facilities, psychiatric facilities and behavioural health facilities critical. Whether it’s a piece of resident room furniture, like a mattress, or dining room furniture such as a dining table, furniture in these applications must be designed to prevent injury to self or others and must have absolutely no areas where any object can be tied to.

Mental health standards specify support surfaces must be anti-ligature. A ligature point is anything that can be used to tie a cord, rope or other material for the purpose of hanging. An anti-ligature product is one that reduces the risk of self-harm through strangulation, by making it as difficult as possible to secure a cord or other material in place. Ligature resistant mattresses do not contain any points where cords, ropes, or even bedsheets can be attached.