The California State Fire Marshal’s office is updating its textile flammability document, Title 19, for the first time since 1993. An April conference call included a discussion of the test method (Section 1273.3) for unsupported film, synthetic fabrics, coated fabrics and fabrics for exterior use. A subcommittee will be further assessing the test and how [...]

Compiled by Juli Case Our company makes fabric structures, and we’ve noticed that, in some fabric specifications, the fabric manufacturer will use “EC3,” “EC6,” or “EC9” to describe the base fabric. What is this? Upon discovering that the fabric in question was PTFE-coated fiberglass, we were able to clear this mystery up. This abbreviation is [...]

Compiled by Juli Case I’m replacing the pad on an X-ray table and my client has specified that the material we use be “radiolucent.” What does that mean? Radiolucent is a medical term and is used for any item that permits X-rays to shine right through it. This would be important for a pad used [...]

Compiled by Juli Case We’ve received a couple of requests for “bleeder” fabric, but that’s a material we’re not familiar with. Any ideas? A bleeder fabric is typically part of a composite material and is used in applications such as vacuum bagging. A “breather” will evacuate air, while the “bleeders” absorb excess resins so that [...]

Compiled by Juli Case One of the fabrics we use has a PMS number of 1788C 2X. I know the 1788C refers to a specific color number, but what does the 2X stand for? How do fabric suppliers and their clients talk about color and remain confident that they are referring to shades and hues? [...]

Textiles and apparel are the largest industries in Haiti, which has sustained a U.S. trade embargo, a political coup, military rule, hurricanes, earthquakes and the desertion of many manufacturers. During the past 20 years, Haiti has lost up to 100,000 textile industry jobs. North Carolina-based Hanesbrands operates a plant in Port-au-Prince and hopes to see [...]

Compiled by Juli Case I received some product literature from a supplier and read that the fabric is supposed to be “good” with regards to blocking. What does that mean? We’re guessing that the fabric in question is either coated or laminated. Sometimes these materials can unintentionally stick together while being stored, and that phenomenon [...]

The disaster relief tent market is unpredictable, but the rewards can be satisfying—professionally and personally. By Jill C. Lafferty The market for disaster relief shelters is a “good news–bad news’” scenario. A sudden demand for relief tents usually means that in some part of the world, people are suffering. This was certainly true the first [...]

Enthusiasts at all levels can focus on their sport with products that assure a safe environment for competition or recreation. By Holly O’Dell In athletic and recreational activities, safety is always an important factor—whether that’s landing properly on a pole-vaulting pit or providing impact protection at the end of a snow tubing hill. Despite the [...]

Understanding the variables is the key to determining the cost of building a fabric structure. By Samuel J. Armijos, AIA The hardest part of designing and building a fabric structure is determining its cost. There are three major components to a fabric structure—steel, fabric and cables. Other factors, which we may or may not see—such [...]