Firm shares fire-resistant mattress technology for public good

Ahn Jung-ho, CEO of Simmons

With a recent spate of apartment fires in South Korea resulting in loss of life, a furniture company is grabbing attention by sharing its patented technology that reduces fire damage for the public good.

Ahn Jung-ho, CEO of Simmons, one of the country’s leading bed manufacturers, announced on Monday that the company would disclose its patent for fire-resistant mattress manufacturing techniques in the interest of public welfare.

Fire-resistant mattresses are products that do not easily catch fire. Among indoor furnishings, mattresses occupy the largest area and can contribute to a phenomenon called ‘flashover,’ where a fire in a room escalates explosively and engulfs the entire indoor space. Fire-resistant mattresses are being recognized for their potential to prevent flashovers, securing an evacuation window during a fire as well as contributing to the safety of both residents and firefighters.

In a country like Korea where apartments are prevalent, preventing flashovers is crucial as the rapid spread of toxic gases through staircases during such occurrences is a significant concern.

The decision allows the bed industry to gain access to Simmons’ patented technology for fire-resistant mattress production.

In OECD countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, legislation mandates the distribution of fire-resistant mattresses exclusively, but Korea lacks comprehensive regulations concerning fire-resistant mattresses. Simmons, as part of its ESG initiatives, has been producing fire-resistant household mattresses since 2018 and obtained a related patent in 2020.