Using NFPA logos

November 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case In the field, it’s easier to have a label sewn in to our canopies showing that they’re made of flame-retardant materials rather than try to keep a paper certificate on hand. The California State Fire Marshal provides examples of labels, but NFPA doesn’t, and a…
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UL specifications

November 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case My clients want me to use a fabric that is tested to a UL specification. Does that have to be done at UL? Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent organization that specializes in writing safety-related specifications. If your client wants a material that is certified b…
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True felt

October 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I have a client that is interested in having a replacement friction pad made for a chrome drum and is specifying a “true” felt. He says that anything else will scratch the drum. What is a true felt? Your customer is probably referring to a wool felt. Traditionally, …
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Heat sealing vinyl-coated fabric

October 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re looking into making truck covers and know that we will be heat sealing the seams. What is the recommended temperature range for heat sealing vinyl-coated fabric? The range of temperatures used to heat seal vinyl fabric is so wide that it isn’t something that y…
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Defining EDPM

October 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I have a client specifying an EDPM strap on a bid. What’s EDPM? EDPM is an abbreviation for a type of rubber compound. The full chemical name is Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer, but suppliers should know exactly what you’re talking about if you just say EDPM. It…
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“Senior Ballistic”

October 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case In a recent bid, I’ve had a client quote a fabric called “Senior Ballistic.” I’m familiar with ballistic nylon, but how is “Senior Ballistic” different? It’s not a different fabric as much as it’s a more specific way of referring …
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Comparing 10-mil vinyl and10-ounce vinyl

October 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We need to compare two materials. Is a 10-mil vinyl the same as a 10-ounce vinyl? It’s hard to tell from the information you’ve given us, but we’re guessing that they’re not the same. “Mil” is a measurement of thickness (a mil is 1/1000th of …
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The language of color

September 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I want to bid on a cover project, but the fabric has to be the color RAL 5003. What is that? Color has a language of its own. One person’s simple green might be ‘hunter green’ to one person and ‘forest green’ to another—and neither of them ma…
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Meeting Proposition 65

September 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re located in Wisconsin and we’re making a fabric product for a customer in California. They’re asking that we provide certification that the product meets Proposition 65. How do we do that? Proposition 65 refers to the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforce…
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HDPE basics

August 1, 2010  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We were looking at some shade fabric that said it was made from “HDPE.” What does that mean? HDPE is the abbreviation for High Density Polyethylene. From a chemical standpoint, that means there is less branching that occurs in the molecular composition of the compou…
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