Mullen burst test

January 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I saw something referenced on product literature that I don’t understand. What’s a Mullen Burst test? “Mullen burst” is a type of test that assesses the strength of a fabric by using a bursting method, or determining how much force is required to rupture…
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Vinyl tents and fire inspection

January 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case My local fire inspector won’t approve my tent, even though I have a flame cert. He says the tent is old enough that it needs to be retreated. Is there a way to do that with vinyl? Originally, event tents were made out of FR-treated cotton canvas, which did require retreat…
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Receiving LEED certification with awnings

January 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case Can you tell me which awning systems have LEED certification? LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. A product, such as an awning, isn’t LEED certified. Rather, a product can contribute to a building receivin…
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Finding MIKO’s Dinamica Melange fabric

December 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I have a fabric sample that I picked up at a trade show, but it only has the contact information for a company in Italy, and I’d like to find someone in the U.S. that carries it. What can you tell me about MIKO’s Dinamica Melange fabric? Dinamica Evolution is a &hel…
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Making awnings with solution-dyed acrylic binding and fabric

December 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I’m making awnings and I need a recommendation for what sort of machine I should use to sew solution-dyed acrylic binding onto solution-dyed acrylic fabric. Any suggestions? We contacted members of IFAI’s Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) and foun…
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GSA 3B material for blast curtains

December 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’ve been asked to make a blast curtain. Where can we find material that’s rated GSA 3B? After the Oklahoma bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it was realized that some of the damage caused by an explosion is from flying glass and other debris. As a result, in…
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V-T-295 military specification for nylon thread

December 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We bought some thread at an auction, and the only thing the spool says is that it’s V-T-295, Type 2 and Class A. Can you help us figure out what kind of thread it is? V-T-295 is a military specification for nylon thread. Type II indicates that it’s a twisted multipl…
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Shop zoning

November 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case My company will be moving our awning shop to a new location. How should I zone my shop? The answer to your question is going to depend on two things: (1) what kind of work is done in your shop, and (2) what your city has to say about it. First, … <div><a href="https://sp…
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Sterilizing bandages

November 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We make bandage rolls for a local customer and need to get them sterilized. Where can I have them irradiated? Contract electron beam irradiation services are commonly used to sterilize bandages and other medical devices; the technology uses accelerated electrons that destroy ba…
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Including prevailaing wages on bids

November 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I’m working on a government job and I’m told I have to include the “prevailing wage” on the bid. What’s that? The Davis-Bacon Act requires that federally funded construction jobs pay workers the prevailing wage. These prevailing wages are determine…
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