Catherine Macleod from element has shared what their sister company FIRA International are doing:

UKAS-accredited testing house FIRA International, and service provider to the Furniture Industry Research Association, has been supporting the new NHS Nightingale hospitals by providing free flammability testing for Rivertex Technical Fabrics Group, who are supplying material for Nightingale medical mattresses.

FIRA International tested the materials to BS 7175:1989 Methods of test for the ignitability of bedcovers and pillows by smouldering and flaming ignition sources, which included a Crib 5 test, classed as medium hazard.

Speaking on their work for the NHS Nightingale hospitals, Guy Lynch, Managing Director at Rivertex Technical Fabrics Group, said "Our Rivertex® 500FR polyester fabric is specially intended for use within medical mattresses, so we were able to have a quick turn-around to support the NHS effort.

"We're supplying material for the production of tens of thousands of medical mattresses to be delivered to the NHS, along with material for key personal protective equipment (PPE). In order to achieve the lead-times we are grateful that FIRA International took swift action to undertake the testing stipulated by the NHS."

Howard James, Operations Manager - Testing, at FIRA International, said "During these difficult times it's important for us to support organisations like Rivertex Technical Fabrics Group with their crucial testing.

"Although it is far from 'business-as-usual' for so many of us, FIRA International has a key role to play for manufacturers and retailers, so we're operating within strict safety and social distancing guidelines in order to keep testing and ultimately keep end-users safe."

For further information on FIRA International testing services contact Howard James (hjames@fira.co.uk / +44(0)1438 777 720 or +44(0)7507 882 385).